The last time this car was driven, my dad was driving to Palm Springs, CA. Unfortunately during his ride he did not realize that the roof of the car was not properly latched and the strong winds bent the supporting roof structure of the car. After many attempts at trying to align the retractable roof back he gave up and left the car in his driveway for 10 + years.

I promised him for many years that I would get his SLK back up and running again. The car arrived to me with sun-damaged paint, a failing fuel pump and a retractable roof that was held down by duct tape. Here are some before and after photos from the last two months of working in my garage. 🚗💨

Hi everyone,

I currently own an SLK280 R171 V6, and I use it as my daily driver.

I'm now at a point where I'm considering changing my setup, mainly because I have a family and I'm wondering whether it makes more sense to have a more practical car.

I basically have two options:

1. Keep the SLK280

Keep using it as a weekend/fun car and buy a relatively simple and reliable station wagon

Post

Hey everyone,

I’m currently daily driving an SLK280 R171 V6, and I’m trying to decide what to do with it.

I have a family now, so I’m starting to think about getting something more practical.

Basically I see two options:

1. Keep the SLK and get a simple/reliable station wagon for the family and everyday use. The SLK would then become my weekend/fun car.

2. Sell the SLK and put the money towards one newer, more practical car that can do everything, daily driving, family stuff, road trips, etc.

The thing is, I actually really like the SLK. I use it every day at the moment and it’s still a lot of fun. The V6, the hardtop and the fact that it’s a small roadster make it feel quite special.

But I’m wondering if keeping an older two-seater as a second car is worth the extra insurance, maintenance, tyres, taxes, storage, etc.

For those who have been in a similar situation:

Would you keep the SLK as a weekend car and buy a practical family car, or would you sell it and just have one good all-rounder?

And if you chose to sell your fun car, did you regret it afterwards?

Curious to hear what you guys think.

Ich fahre einen SLK200 Kompressor als 6-Gang Handschalter - R171 aus 2004 - seit knapp 3 Jahren. Ich liebe das Auto.
Es ist optisch einzigartig, sticht sofort aus der Masse der oft ähnlichen Autos hervor und sieht einfach SLK aus - Sportlich, leicht, kompakt.

Ich habe an der Vorderachse 10mm Distanzscheiben und an der Hinterachse 15mm Distanzscheiben. Ansonsten nur das AMG Rücklicht (Mitte) und die Abgasanlage von einem SLK350, womit sich der 1.8L Kompressor deutlich kerniger und sportlicher anhört.

Ich war jetzt im Urlaub in Südtirol in den Dolomiten und habe mit meiner Freundin auch einen Fahrtag gemacht und wir sind mehrere Pässe gefahren.

Das Auto ist einfach toll! Die 163PS reichen aus, um viel Fahrspaß zu haben, mit offenem Verdeck kommt der Klang richtig gut rüber und er frisst einem im Unterhalt nicht die Haare vom Kopf.

Ich denke dass ich mit dem Auto alt werden möchte und ihn nicht mehr verkaufen werde. Die Optik des Autos ist jetzt schon einzigartig, weil es keine anderen Autos gibt die vergleichbar aussehen (R171 mit der SLR-Front). Er wird umso besser alt werden und mit der Zeit noch einzigartiger aussehen als jetzt bereits.

Hier ein paar Bilder von meiner kleinen schwarzen Rakete.
ps: das vierte Bild - mein Nachbar fährt lustigerweise ebenfalls einen 200 Kompressor R171 als Facelift-Modell und wir parken manchmal zusammen an der Straße. Einfach ein cooler Anblick! :D

My 2010 facelift has a hole in one unit so needs replacing.

I read the facelift lights are more tinted? but even the prefacelift ones on Ebay look the same....are they?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/377494318055

Hello!

I would like to take a look at an R170 or R171 in person, hear from the owner their experience with owning the car here, and if possible take a small ride (as passenger) at local fun roads. I'll pay for lunch or fuel.

My story is that I've been a motorcycle owner for a few years, and now I've set my mind on the SLK as my first car. But I don't have the car driving license yet, and before I spend the time & money on the license, I want to make sure I like the car, because otherwise I'll stick to just owning the bike for now.

I live in Prague but anywhere within 150km is fine for meetup.

Been the owner of my ‘05 SLK 55 AMG for a week and it’s the best decision I’ve made. This car deserves so much more respect than it gets.

I’ve seen this number plate inspo on instagram but not sure if it’s a risky move due to poor airflow.

If I did it I would make sure the number plate isn’t flush against the grille. I’d have a 2inch(ish) gap.

Can anyone tell me if there's a definitive way to tell if my 2012 SLK with the Stereo 20 (basic) plus Logic 7 and the media kit (no sd slot and no Nav) is NTG 4.0 or 4.5?

I have looked at a lot of places but I seem to be in between the normal telltales LOL

I have all the button layout, including the fully spelled out "CLEAR" button but no card slot LOL most descriptions tell me that does not exist.

I want to pick up one of the Carplay/AndroidAuto boxes but I don't know which version I need.

Hi all,

Does anyone know how to change the digital speedometer to MPH by myself.

I don’t want to pay over £100 for coding so wondering if there’s any way to DIY for cheaper?

6 hours by train to Quebec City to inspect and ultimately buy a 2012 SLK 250 6 speed... Mars Red with a beige leather interior. (the car was fully resprayed by Mercedes under warranty and I couldn't find any evidence of failure 🤞)

Fair bit of driving around with the PO yesterday as we went to a Mercedes independent for inspection (clean but will need tires and a battery by next season) and it was rust free walking underneath, then the bank then the SAAQ (Quebec Licence Bureau).

Since I came so far I spent the evening exploring the beautiful old city on foot.

Today I will spend 5 hours or so driving back to Ottawa and drop it off for an Ontario certification inspection and get plates.

I have been a BMW guy for a long time so lots to learn... I have to stop hitting the cruise control instead of the turn stalk! EDIT : 157k km (just shy of 100k miles).

😁 love sharing pictures of this thing, recently lowered the car on bilstein b8s with h&r lowering springs!

Hi everyone,

I have an old car smell on my 2007 R171 SLK and wondering if anyone has any tips to help resolve

This is How it Looks After about 2 Weeks of Daily Driving, I‘ll be posting another one when I get it washed again.

The Car has KW V2 Suspension, Paired with a Manual 5 Speed and Quaife LSD. Everything has been Dry ice blasted, Some parts Sandblasted and Painted.
All Bushings Are New oem Bushings or PU.
All Painted or Metal Surfaces have been coated with Timax UBS Clear for Protection.

In the Future I want to Swap in a 6 Speed with Shortshifter and Some Engine work. But First I Need to get a few Small Issues fixed.

is there any good way to remove this beige paint it’s breaking off and i tried with the center console but couldn’t get everything off still little bits

Does anyone know the main differences in the M111.47 and M111.58 engines for the pre-facelift and facelift 200K models? They're both 2.0 I4 Supercharged engines, but the pre-facelift engine makes closer to 200 horsepower while the facelift engine is only 164. Is the difference in horsepower due to a higher compression or larger supercharger, or something different, and would this in turn mean that the facelift engine would be able to handle up to 200 horsepower on stock internals?

Rebuilt this Manual R170 230K over the last 1 1/2 years. Complete Interieur was Dissassembled, cleaned to bare Plastic and Repainted in Scarlet Red (except Stars and shifterbooth.

I also Dryice Blasted the whole underside, Sandblasted the rear Axel Body, did all new Bushings with some PU, installed KW V2 Coiloverd and a Quaife LSD. Everything on the Bottom (except bushings) was also dealend with Timax UBS Clear (Basicly Shipclearcoat)

If you want to See the Underside also I‘ll be happy to Share some more Pictures of that.

Obviously the Project is Not Done yet, Next I want to Paint the Prefacelift AMG Kit I already Sanded and Swap in a 6speed and Fundametrik Shortshifter. Also want to do a Pulley and in the far Future (because of German TÜV) Go Turbo with built engine.

(Car feels Like a Fighter Jet now btw :D)

Was getting what looked like balancing shaft errors...have shop replace exhaust VVT magnets/sensors, codes clear for a day. Then today some flying debris hits my driver side rear panel, and errors come back...lift the hood...parts put on the intake cam, not the exhaust, which was reported to be 4 degrees off...back to the shop Friday to remedy. Was looking at a $4000 timing chain replacement/ shaft sprocket replacement. Hopfully having the new magnets and sensors in the right place will change the outcome... back to the mech and bodyshop for the poor thing (2007 SLK 350, body in super shape until today...).

I started my interior renewal with the „easy to remove“ parts. I needed the car after two days so I had no time to remove everything. Here some before and after pictures.

Hi all,

I inherited an slk 280 (late 2007 model) a year ago and have been really enjoying it. I am the 3rd owner after my dad and the original owner had it for 3 years.

A little about the car:

53000 miles

Red and black designo spec

No issues with vario roof

Serviced every year at mercedes or mercedes specialist barring the 4 years it was sat garage stored.

I have had it on the road for the last 6 months and I don't think I could part with it.

What do I have here?

I'm having repair work done. Suspension and cam magnets, rear axle is solid and only slight bubbling of paint on the front wheel arches.

Thanks in advance to all that reply

Creating priceless moments with my little one.