2005 Roadster, manual, With 72,000 miles..Looks nice, well.cared for. What are major concerns?

Thank you in advance,

 

Cholesterol and blood pressure, according to my cardiologist...

Other than that, there are a lot of issues with our cars - and you apparently have a Roadster. Ok, SRT or N/A? If N/A, is it auto or manual?


Or are you asking about ROADSTER specific issues?
If THAT is the case, my advice is for you to NOT try to "Save the wear and tear on the system" but instead to put the top up and down EVERY time you drive the car, within reason, that is. Raise and lower it every DAY you are driving it, not every TIME that day you drive it. If you must store the car for a few months a year, start it up at least every 2-3 weeks, warm it up and cycle the top. Also, leave the top UP most of the time, that is, when it's parked overnight or for extended periods.

I had my Graphite as my only car for almost five years. I probably put the top up and down 750 times, maybe more. Never had a top issue, never had a pump issue, never had a leak.
Then a girl drove out in front of me at 50mph and the car was lost..................

 

Thank you, yes it's a manual. The top will be down every chance I get.😁..if I buy her..

 

Well, if it's a manual, you never need worry about:

1) The "conductor plate".
2) The leaky electrical connector on the side of the transmission.
3) If the previous owner had the transmission serviced, and if it was done properly.*
4) The TCM getting wet and putting you in "limp mode".



*(you just need two quarts of Mobile 1 5W20 every 50,000 miles or so).

 

Will a good independent German repair shop be the place for non DIY maintenance?

 

That is the recommendation, yes. I would not let a dealer even do the airbag fix on mine.

I used a place called "GLover's Garage" back in Georgia. They were just a bunch of old-time car guys (all brothers) for things like brakes and a coolant flush. One of them had an SLK320 with 280,000 on it his wife bought new, THAT guy knew my car! I never asked them to "give me a price", I simply would bring them parts I wanted used (fluids too, I"m fussy that way) - and told them, "Just charge me your $90 an hour, don't hurry, I don't want it cheap, I want it RIGHT." We got along well.

But in most cases, a German car shop is the way to go.

 

Grazie, or I guess Danke since the car is mostly German.😁 Happy New Year!!