Took a 07 limited coupe for a ride today and unlike the roadster I was able to get the seat in a comfortable position. However seat was crammed into the black square plastic piece at shoulder level. What is under the plastic cover ?

Downside is it has 125k miles even though an 07 (owner says mostly highway miles). To me some failures are age related and others are milage.

What may I expect to fail/need replacement between 125k and 150k miles in one with a manual trans ?

Pulled the door seal a bit an it was wet though I did not see any rust. Is the seam different on an 07 ?

Car seemed to drive very well though two things may be an issue:
1) Once up it was very difficult to close the cup holder.
2) Key was difficult to turn, at one point it almost felt like it was about to slip sideways out of the lock. Is this common ?

Also is it possible to drop the steering column about a 1/2" ? It just seems too high.

Finally this may sound stupid but it has Continental tires about a year old. I would really prefer something with more sidewall like a 225x60x16. Will 16x7 Mercedes 5x112 wheels clear the brakes and other components ? (looks like the SLK320's came with 16s).

 

Hard to predict as many of us have not gotten there. I'm at 50K and 43K on the tweo crossies I own.

That said, Benzes do have a record of failures in the high mileage range. In order of failure by my experience.......
Cruise Control
Power window regulators
Dash may crack ( don't use STP on it)
The heat controls
Radios and electronics.
Ancillary toys like the wing would fall in this area.

A lot of our Crossie is plastic inside. I would worry about that stuff.

It is a Benz so such amenities are cool but expensive to fix at the Dealer. That's why you have the Forum.

Engine, drive train, suspension are all overbuilt. So unless the car is seriously modded or driven very hard, they should last to 200K no worries.

 

The correct way to close the cup holder......squeeze the top between two fingers ( one towards the front of the car....one to the rear).....it then closes with no resistance!

 

Thee is a sticky for the door seal issue. However, a good many of us didn't even worry about it.

To address you specific questions, The cup holder works as ChrisL described. Being a manual Tranny, the cup holder is really useless. Better if you glue it shut or replace it with a bin. $ 38 for the part.

If the clutch is original, and the original owner drives like me, a new clutch may be in order.

The wheels from a SLK320 will fit. You will lose the performance of the Crossie and many think it looks weird, but whatever makes you happy.

You cannot lower the Steering wheel but you can raise the seat.

The sticky Key thingy is an issue. However, it might just need lubrication. Use a Teflon lock lube, spray it right in there. Insert the key turn it on and off a few times.

 

Agree cup holder is in a very awkward position even if it works. Every thing else in the car felt fine and tight. Owner says he had to drive 40 miles each way to-from work and that is why all of the miles.

One owner, complete service records. How hard is a clutch (looks like you need to drop the exhaust to get the trans out) ? Can't be as difficult as an E-type (first drop the engine...)

Reason for the 225x60x16: that is what my Reattae have and can get a set of Michelins for about half the price and are the same diameter as the stock 18-19. Can always slap back on if spirited driving is on, with a lift it is easy.

 

I think there are two subs under the plastic wall.. maybe speakers but i think they are subwoofers.

And I dont know if anyone else out there has wondered, but is there a way to delete the wall? It would seem much more convenient to be able to reach the trunk from the seats... and that way the seats could lean back further if needed. Is that possible or no...?

 

Delete the wall...delete your gas tank....

And yes, those are your bass speakers, not true subs....