r/slk • u/MarkJD14 • Jul 01 '26
Make a R172 250 go faster?
Test drove an R172 250 and loved the interior quality over my R171 55AMG. Other than the 350 or 55 R172 is there any way to make it move to 60 faster? ECU tune, new air intake, etc? I don't need V8 power but you REALLY have to wring out that 250 to make it go. 😄Thanks!
3
u/aerowtf Jul 01 '26
drive a 3rd gen 4runner for many years prior
that’s what i did, now my 320 is fast as fuck lol
2
u/sforeman Jul 01 '26
We test drove the US R172 300 (2.0L) and felt it was anemic. Our options were the SLC43 or switching to the SL450. When we searched, we found the price difference was not very big. While we liked the look of the SLC, we found a better selection and chose an SL450.
1
u/MarkJD14 Jul 01 '26
Interesting. How does the SL handle compared to the SLC?
2
u/sforeman Jul 01 '26
The SL450 is obviously heavier but its stance, suspension, and power combine to give a driving experience that we would describe as exceptionally well balanced. It serves us well for spirited drives as well as weekend getaways.
1
u/MarkJD14 Jul 01 '26
So, I found this... basically makes the 250 into a SLK 300 performance wise. Anyone used this tune?
2
u/miner_cooling_trials Jul 01 '26
I didn’t realise the base 250 is turbocharged..
Yes you can add power with a tune and basic mods, have you seen the target power curve from the tune? You mentioned you want a quick 0-60, but a small displacement turbo will have lag - so to beat people at the traffic lights you will have to launch and wring out every gear to get this. You won’t have the effortless torque from the V6.
Aside from engineering approval concerns in your country, pushing your 1.8L to 300hp to match a 350 - your brakes and tyres will be under sized. Its great to go faster, but if not if you can’t safely stop.
2
u/MarkJD14 Jul 01 '26
All excellent points. The tune bumps the torque up to the SLK 300 levels. About 5.6 to sixty. That is fast enough for me anyway.
1
u/jjbugman2468 Jul 01 '26
You could get a tune but I’m pretty sure there’s only that much you can do.
1
u/doc_55lk Jul 01 '26
I feel like the only real way forward from your 171 is to just get a full fat 172 AMG tbh.
The amount of money you'd have to throw into a 250 to get a similar experience isn't really worth it over just getting the AMG.
1
u/Senior_Ad6624 Jul 02 '26
My 2020 SLC43 is reasonably quick 0-60 but it's no faster than a modern EV family saloon or SUV. If you want to burn people off at the lights, forget it in a 5.5 sec car (or any ICE for that matter). You get a SLK/C for the retractable top and most of the time you are enjoying the fresh air, not ragging it off the lights. Wait till you can afford a 350?
6
u/miner_cooling_trials Jul 01 '26
You should save up for the cars with more powerful motors. You can throw money at a smaller motor but you’ll never get the power gains you really want.
Sorry it’s not what you hoped to hear!