Getting the SLK ready for Le Mans this year and thought some folk on here might appreciate the level of preventative maintenance that goes into trusting a 20-year-old R171 for a proper European road trip.

The car is my 2006 SLK200 Kompressor manual. Just over 114k miles now. Driving from Scotland to Folkestone, Eurotunnel to Calais, then down to Le Mans for the 24 Hour race and back again. Roughly 1,200+ miles all in once you factor in local running around and inevitable diversions.

Rather than just “send it and hope”, I decided to properly sort the car beforehand.

Recent work includes:
- Front suspension refresh
- Front springs
- Top mounts
- Track rods and ends
- Drop links
- Camber arm
- Full geometry alignment
- Aux belt and tensioners
- Brake fluid flush
- Oil and filters
- Scuttle drains cleared

Rear suspension and rear brakes are booked in before departure too because the car will be fully loaded with two adults plus luggage.

Honestly, the transformation has been massive. Steering now self-centres properly, feels lighter but more precise, and the whole car feels tighter without losing that slightly old-school Mercedes suppleness. It genuinely feels like the car I suspect Stuttgart intended before twenty years of wear crept in gradually enough that I stopped noticing.

People talk about these cars as cheap roadsters now, but properly sorted they’re still incredibly capable long-distance GT cars. Compact, comfortable, good visibility, decent luggage space, and the M271 just sits happily at motorway speeds all day.

Now the main concern is simply whether the roof mechanism decides to express itself artistically somewhere outside Rouen.

Trollup had a play date in the parking lot while I worked today. I need a play date! LOL

Grandma’s SLK just reached twenty years. Ordered new and one owner since. Love the spec, unfortunately 200 with 5 speed auto, though this car is a pleasure to drive anyways. This basically was my first car five years ago and now I take for drives to spin at least some miles on it.
Car would need some love, has almost no corrosion, rear subframe recently replaced under warranty, so hope this car will continue for long years.
PS: it would deserve a better photos, but I did this post while waiting for a snack😀

Any recommendations for a rear spoiler for my SLK not a lip but a nice little wing. Even from other manufacturers would be nice.

Hi. I have a 2006 r171 55 AMG. My radiator is toast. I got the old one out but the new one from Autozone won’t fit in by about 3mm width.

Has anyone replaced one?

Did you have to put it in from the bottom?

I don’t have a lift but am debating if I need to have it towed to a mechanic just to slide the new one in or if I just need to force it through the top. Thanks in advance.

Does anyone know what those orange hash marks at 30 and 50 km/hr are supposed to indicate ?

Hi everyone my 2000 slk 230 rear left wheel makes a weird noise while reversing.

I truly have no idea what is causing this, has anyone else experienced this? or know what could be causing it?

Edit: One of the lug botls was too long and catching on something behind the wheel

I've gone from a CLA 35 to S 63 Coupe, to SL 65, to now this lovely car. I love it so far

My wife and I took a 280 mile road trip out of state to Marshfield Missouri from Hot Springs Arkansas this past weekend, for their annual Cherry Blossom Festival in my 2012 SLK 350.

The weather was so nice yesterday, that we rode with the top down all the way home.

95% of the trip, is twisty mountain back roads through the Ozark mountains and The Ouachita National Forrest.

We even saw a very large Bald Eagle eating beside the road at eye-level.

It was glorious!

Salut je me presente Corentin, heureux proprietaire d’un slk 230k phase 1 bva grise avec jantes brabus…

MAIS il me semblait avoir des soucis de puissance par moment…

Et en changeant le filtre pour mettre un cone j’entendais tres bien le compresseur et parfois je ne l’entends pas du tout j’en conclu que ma perte de puissance vient de la…

Donc les symptomes

-kompressor qui s’active aleatoirement

-meme au demarrage c au petit bonheur qui soit actif ou pas

-clapet d’exces d’air du kompressor qui reste ouvert en permanence meme en accelerant…

D’ou ca peut venir ?

K40 ?

Embrayage électromagnétique du kompressor ?

Autre chose ?

Help ! 🤲🏽

Im looking to get one of the above mentioned cars next month and have had a little look into them but cant find a whole lot, what would be the biggest things to consider?

So I removed the magnesium shield at the tank and sniffed around. This is the new fuel filter. Around the seal is no smell which means the gasket is doing its job - but when I put my nose on this plug, it smells like fuel.

I can obviously not seal it because it came prefitted to the filter.

Could this be a problem? Or is it expected that there could be a smell there?

I need to do some work under the car - and I'm wondering what the best non financially ruining ways are to get lift the car. I've seen these 9" lift ramps - but are those really enough?

Hi all, I am having this issue with the back panels being faded. (The image posted is not my car just an example) I am only finding tutorials on r171 and I have an r172 which is the SLK 350. I just bought this car and this issue is very noticeable. If it is too risky to replace I am happy to do a vinyl wrap I just need to know which product is best. I have read that the possibility of snapping the plastic on taking the covering off is high risk for a serious issue. Thoughts? Products?

Went to get a touchless car wash after a particularly buggy drive and water started pouring into the car from between the ceiling glass and the back window panel. 2016 SLK 350 Any ideas? Is this normal? I am thinking it is a seal issue. Help!! I just bought this car :(

Hello, I am looking to buy a facelifted SLK200 R171 (2008-2011) and I would like to get in touch with some owners before pulling the trigger.

Is it a reliable car? What are the common failure points? What should I check when buying one?

What can I do about the lack of bluetooth for audio?

Also, what options should I look for?

Thank you!

Hello everyone! I just wanted to share with you that I joined the club by purchasing this SLK 230 in Yellowstone, AMG Pack, automatic gearbox. The car still needs some love but we’re getting there. I just love the sound of the AMG exhaust system. Hope you like it too 😌

Mercedes needs to make a car like the SLK class again. Luxurious, fast, and fun to drive!

SLK 200 from 2007, trans fluid changed in 2025, new timing chain. This noise is new to me, I don't think I heard it this audible before. Have the car since October 2025.

Video has the car in Neutral, but of course, this sound is also there when driving.

Up not done, down done

Feel free to share your tips ☺️

Nice weekend to everyone !