Beard, you've captured this car perfectly. The R171 SLK 55 is vastly underrated. This is NOT a "hairdressers" car. I have a 2006. I've owned Miatas and a Cayman. This is neither. When I first bought it, I wasn't sure I liked it. Compared to a Z3, Cayman or Miata, it feels really heavy. But I'm in the US and have a muscle car background (I've had a Camaro, TranAm, Corvettes and several Mustangs) and I just love the AMG M113. Honestly, you could not get me to sell this car now. It's a modern-day equivelent of the Shelby Cobra or Sunbeam Tiger. I have a Renntech R1 tune with probably about 385 hp. My car was built at the nadir of Daimler-Chrylser quality, but has been very reliable (better than my new AMG E53 😔). They're pretty simple, but there are some things to look out for. I got really lucky and found a low mileage, one-owner, local car with a service history. I had an independant Benz mechanic inspect it and found no issues. I recommend you have any SLK 55 pre-purchase inspected, because they have some quirks that can be expensive to repair. The M113 is pretty bulletproof, but the have a problem with leaking cam cover gaskets (mine have been replaced, but are leaking again) and sometimes leaking main seals. Crank position sensors also fail, and the car will quit and not restart until it cools off. It also has 2 plugs per cylinder, so are expensive to tune up. The 7G trans has come in for justified criticism for response, and it's also really jerky (the 9G in my E53 is seamless). The conductor plate can fail if you don't service the trans every 40K miles (don't believe Mercedes "service for life"). The seals in the retractible hardtop cylinders deteriorate and will leak (the one in my lock cylinder already failed). The main top and deck cylinders are very expensive to replace, but you can get rebuilds. (and DIY repair kits if you're skilled in hydraulics or adventurous) People kneel on the seats and will break the heating elements. Factory ones are really expensive, ($700) but there are alternatives. The early cars (2005-2006) have high -performance brakes with 3-piece front rotors and 6-piston calipers. They squeal like crazy and the rotors are about $2500 a set (my car will need some soon). Later cars have simpler brakes (with the hi-po brakes optional, standard on the P30 performance package). It's not a super expensive car to service if you use an independant specialist. Not like a Porsche (my friend just sold her Cayman because it was so expensive to maintain) The interior wears fairly well, but looks pretty cheap for a Benz. The rubbery flat black trim paint on the consoIe and steering wheel swithches doesn't wear well, though. I got lucky and found an OEM SLK55 Designo tamo wood trim kit, which really classes up the interior. The P30 performance package cars have carbon fiber trim which looks really nice. The tech is really antique - older cars don't have Bluetooth unless they had the factory phone option, and the nav is DVD-based (there's a drive in the trunk). I TRULY hate the cruise control stalk, it's above the turn signal stalk and I sometimes hit it insted of the signal. It's super entertaining to drive, though. It understeers quit a bit with all the weight in the front, but if you turn off the traction control, you can steer the back with throttle. It's a pretty blunt instrument (a battle-ax to the Cayman's scalple), but it's tons of fun, and very usable - mine's a semi-daily driver. And you just can't beat the sound of that V8...
The SLK55 is unrivalled as an all round package. Bulletproof engine, coupe/convertible at the touch of a button, quick/civilised when you want, with an awesome sounding V8 in the size of shoe, to coin a clarkson’s phrase when reviewing this motor. He bought one afterwards, so that tells you everything. I have the face lifted R171 (2010) as a weekend driver and puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. Appreciating as well.
It really is. I have an '07. This is the year that they brought out the improved 7 G-tronic gearbox which shifts much better than the earlier models like the one in this video. I like to burble around in the comfort 'C' mode as it pulls away in 2nd, making good use of that torque for smooth delivery. 7th is more of an overdrive, so one could argue that this is close enough to a 5 speed. Launching in 1st with 'S' or 'M' mode will break traction all the way to 3rd even with the TC. I'd say the electronics are needed due to lack of LSD, otherwise you'd just be having a one-tyre fire off the line 🤣
I have had my 2006 55 for six years now, just reached 49 000 miles. I love it, living in a sleepy little town where I don't go over 31 mph, the SLK is sheer exhilaration when I take it out on the highways and often 130 mph. Your review sums up my experience and I agree, if you have one, keep it.
Very good review better than most you should have a few zeros more viewers! I’ve owned my SLK55 for over 6 years now and I still smile ear to ear. That’s what it’s all about. Can’t say that about many cars. Every car has its pros and cons. This car isn’t pretending to be anything than a ‘civilised, torquey’ little brute and a great GT as you said. That’s partly why I think the 7 speed Gtronic was probably fitted. Well done sir.
Amazing design design on the R171, true enough. I have the smaller engined SLK R171 in a super charged non AMG derivative, and it does me just fine. With top end around 150MPH and 0-60MPH in under 7 secs. Yes, I know, these are still fast cars. It handles adequately and is really quick enough! BUT the the 55AMG is the penultimate in my book for a cost effective demi super car experience! I have considered a Boxster S or Cayman. However the 55AMG and the 'apparent' practical running costs might be a future option - as the 'extra' vehicle for me. There's other vehicular responsibilities to family relatives needing MY additional Audi 'Q' SVU at the moment. SO, it is a case of:- if / when I decide to graduate from my beloved (standard) R171 SLK. This ultra reliable & economical SLK, I have had for many years, what a car it is. Thought I would share before I make the leap to a retro 55AMG or Boxster / Cayman. This is a dilemma indeed, I have had for a few months now. . . Either a Porsche or another Merc SLK (as I have had 6 'contigual' Merc cars over the past 25 years.) No better than the devil you know, one might say? ? ? A battle of the Germans within my head! Please know I've worked very hard in life to earn my guilty pleasures over the past 30 years! Any first hand Porsche 'experiental' info would be much appreciated. Many thanks. . . Dr. Rob.
I think people really don't get these, I guess they were a car design that appealed to car people of that era, Top Gear and the Mcclaren SLR time. I still think these look cool. I of course may be biased, as I have a 350 body kitted AMG, and as of this week a 55... and no one will blink an eye. Great review, I liked your detail into its weaknesses and strengths, good capture and editing. I guess the fan club for the SLK 171 is a club of one, thanks for making this just for me 🙂
I bought a 2005, mint condition, slk 55 AMG having previously owned boxsters and 911s. I don’t normally keep my fun car for more than 18 months. I will never sell this one. Just soooo much fun. Ridiculous mid engine power in the smallest car I’ve ever owned.
One of the best open and honest reviews I have seen on this car. I absolutely love the R171 SLK55, and after having my previous 07 R171 SLK55 totaled in a head-on collision, I'm having a hard time finding another car that is anywhere near comparable to what this offers. More than likely I will get into another one. Just no comparison to anything else out there! - 2+2 with hardtop convertible - lightweight & physically small - EXCELLENT and super reliable + easy to work on M113 V8 - Great MPG for all that power potential under the hood - The list goes on....
I have an SLK350 with AMG styling and I love it. While it doesn't have a roaring engine like the 55 it's still pretty fun to drive and it's not slow either. Maybe one day I will replace it with a 55.
What a nice review. I've owned my 55 AMG for ten years now and just can't part with it ! the sound, the power and sheer grunt when" flat out" is amazing. I've had 2- 911s an m3 and all sorts of Japanese turbo stuff as a kid, but this really is the governor. Its not a trac car, its just a sound and torque blast and will hit 60 in 4.3 if you have good rubber plus the roof!!!!!!!!! Coupe or cab at the touch of a button and no shitty canvas.Fantastic review
Watched this as part of my research into getting one and it definitely helped me pull the trigger ! Thanks for such an insight, and I clapped when you made the point about the racing line lol, that was EXACTLY my thought process.
That’s a very fair review of a great car and you only mentioned hairdressers once. To me the thing that lets it down is the interior. I owned two R171 350’s, pre and post facelift. The seats weren’t very comfortable, lots of plastic and somewhat cramped. I then bought an R172 SLK55 AMG (2013) and kept it for five years, what a difference. Comfy seats, more room, vastly improved materials (plus 50 more bhp and more economical too). The R171 is a great car but I think the R172 is even better.
Loved my 2007 SLK 55 as well except for two things….the ride was quite hard and the roof creaked incessantly whether it was up or down. The agents just shrugged and said there was nothing they could do to stop the creaking. Eventually swapped it for a manual Boxster GTS for a completely different experience, but ultimately settled on a Jaguar F Type R as I missed that great big V8.
The ride is firm yes, but there are adjustable aftermarket shocks that can address that for not too much money. I found most of the creaking with the top up was from the rubber where the roof meets the windscreen. Some TLC with silicone spray there periodically takes care of that and keeps the rubber supple. I have zero creaking with the roof down, perhaps some of the scissor joints on yours needed attention. I give those a bit of WD-40 also periodically.
Only had mine since 2005. Offer me $80k for it, Yeah NO. Smile factor is off the dile. Topless V8 soundtrack is OTT. 4.9 to 60Mph is still relevant, even against many EVs. Love to blow them off just to see the look on their face.
They're officially rated at around 24 mpg average and just over 30 motorway, but owners will be able to give a more accurate gauge. I'd suspect 22-25 average
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Beard, you've captured this car perfectly. The R171 SLK 55 is vastly underrated. This is NOT a "hairdressers" car. I have a 2006. I've owned Miatas and a Cayman. This is neither. When I first bought it, I wasn't sure I liked it. Compared to a Z3, Cayman or Miata, it feels really heavy. But I'm in the US and have a muscle car background (I've had a Camaro, TranAm, Corvettes and several Mustangs) and I just love the AMG M113. Honestly, you could not get me to sell this car now. It's a modern-day equivelent of the Shelby Cobra or Sunbeam Tiger. I have a Renntech R1 tune with probably about 385 hp. My car was built at the nadir of Daimler-Chrylser quality, but has been very reliable (better than my new AMG E53 😔). They're pretty simple, but there are some things to look out for. I got really lucky and found a low mileage, one-owner, local car with a service history. I had an independant Benz mechanic inspect it and found no issues. I recommend you have any SLK 55 pre-purchase inspected, because they have some quirks that can be expensive to repair. The M113 is pretty bulletproof, but the have a problem with leaking cam cover gaskets (mine have been replaced, but are leaking again) and sometimes leaking main seals. Crank position sensors also fail, and the car will quit and not restart until it cools off. It also has 2 plugs per cylinder, so are expensive to tune up. The 7G trans has come in for justified criticism for response, and it's also really jerky (the 9G in my E53 is seamless). The conductor plate can fail if you don't service the trans every 40K miles (don't believe Mercedes "service for life"). The seals in the retractible hardtop cylinders deteriorate and will leak (the one in my lock cylinder already failed). The main top and deck cylinders are very expensive to replace, but you can get rebuilds. (and DIY repair kits if you're skilled in hydraulics or adventurous) People kneel on the seats and will break the heating elements. Factory ones are really expensive, ($700) but there are alternatives. The early cars (2005-2006) have high -performance brakes with 3-piece front rotors and 6-piston calipers. They squeal like crazy and the rotors are about $2500 a set (my car will need some soon). Later cars have simpler brakes (with the hi-po brakes optional, standard on the P30 performance package). It's not a super expensive car to service if you use an independant specialist. Not like a Porsche (my friend just sold her Cayman because it was so expensive to maintain)
The interior wears fairly well, but looks pretty cheap for a Benz. The rubbery flat black trim paint on the consoIe and steering wheel swithches doesn't wear well, though. I got lucky and found an OEM SLK55 Designo tamo wood trim kit, which really classes up the interior. The P30 performance package cars have carbon fiber trim which looks really nice. The tech is really antique - older cars don't have Bluetooth unless they had the factory phone option, and the nav is DVD-based (there's a drive in the trunk). I TRULY hate the cruise control stalk, it's above the turn signal stalk and I sometimes hit it insted of the signal.
It's super entertaining to drive, though. It understeers quit a bit with all the weight in the front, but if you turn off the traction control, you can steer the back with throttle. It's a pretty blunt instrument (a battle-ax to the Cayman's scalple), but it's tons of fun, and very usable - mine's a semi-daily driver. And you just can't beat the sound of that V8...
Thanks for this. Excellent non biased and honest review
The SLK55 is unrivalled as an all round package. Bulletproof engine, coupe/convertible at the touch of a button, quick/civilised when you want, with an awesome sounding V8 in the size of shoe, to coin a clarkson’s phrase when reviewing this motor. He bought one afterwards, so that tells you everything. I have the face lifted R171 (2010) as a weekend driver and puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. Appreciating as well.
Nice one, I believe he had the Black Series too, which must be even better to drive
It really is. I have an '07. This is the year that they brought out the improved 7 G-tronic gearbox which shifts much better than the earlier models like the one in this video. I like to burble around in the comfort 'C' mode as it pulls away in 2nd, making good use of that torque for smooth delivery. 7th is more of an overdrive, so one could argue that this is close enough to a 5 speed. Launching in 1st with 'S' or 'M' mode will break traction all the way to 3rd even with the TC. I'd say the electronics are needed due to lack of LSD, otherwise you'd just be having a one-tyre fire off the line 🤣
I have had my 2006 55 for six years now, just reached 49 000 miles. I love it, living in a sleepy little town where I don't go over 31 mph, the SLK is sheer exhilaration when I take it out on the highways and often 130 mph. Your review sums up my experience and I agree, if you have one, keep it.
Very good review better than most you should have a few zeros more viewers! I’ve owned my SLK55 for over 6 years now and I still smile ear to ear. That’s what it’s all about. Can’t say that about many cars. Every car has its pros and cons. This car isn’t pretending to be anything than a ‘civilised, torquey’ little brute and a great GT as you said. That’s partly why I think the 7 speed Gtronic was probably fitted. Well done sir.
Cheers! Glad you enjoyed
Amazing design design on the R171, true enough. I have the smaller engined SLK R171 in a super charged non AMG derivative, and it does me just fine. With top end around 150MPH and 0-60MPH in under 7 secs. Yes, I know, these are still fast cars. It handles adequately and is really quick enough! BUT the the 55AMG is the penultimate in my book for a cost effective demi super car experience! I have considered a Boxster S or Cayman.
However the 55AMG and the 'apparent' practical running costs might be a future option - as the 'extra' vehicle for me. There's other vehicular responsibilities to family relatives needing MY additional Audi 'Q' SVU at the moment. SO, it is a case of:- if / when I decide to graduate from my beloved (standard) R171 SLK.
This ultra reliable & economical SLK, I have had for many years, what a car it is. Thought I would share before I make the leap to a retro 55AMG or Boxster / Cayman. This is a dilemma indeed, I have had for a few months now. . . Either a Porsche or another Merc SLK (as I have had 6 'contigual' Merc cars over the past 25 years.) No better than the devil you know, one might say? ? ? A battle of the Germans within my head! Please know I've worked very hard in life to earn my guilty pleasures over the past 30 years!
Any first hand Porsche 'experiental' info would be much appreciated. Many thanks. . . Dr. Rob.
I think people really don't get these, I guess they were a car design that appealed to car people of that era, Top Gear and the Mcclaren SLR time. I still think these look cool. I of course may be biased, as I have a 350 body kitted AMG, and as of this week a 55... and no one will blink an eye. Great review, I liked your detail into its weaknesses and strengths, good capture and editing. I guess the fan club for the SLK 171 is a club of one, thanks for making this just for me 🙂
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it
You are not alone! I have a 2007 55, previously an '05 200. Love them both, will never sell the 55.
I bought a 2005, mint condition, slk 55 AMG having previously owned boxsters and 911s. I don’t normally keep my fun car for more than 18 months. I will never sell this one. Just soooo much fun. Ridiculous mid engine power in the smallest car I’ve ever owned.
One of the best open and honest reviews I have seen on this car. I absolutely love the R171 SLK55, and after having my previous 07 R171 SLK55 totaled in a head-on collision, I'm having a hard time finding another car that is anywhere near comparable to what this offers. More than likely I will get into another one. Just no comparison to anything else out there!
- 2+2 with hardtop convertible
- lightweight & physically small
- EXCELLENT and super reliable + easy to work on M113 V8
- Great MPG for all that power potential under the hood
- The list goes on....
I have an SLK350 with AMG styling and I love it. While it doesn't have a roaring engine like the 55 it's still pretty fun to drive and it's not slow either. Maybe one day I will replace it with a 55.
What a nice review. I've owned my 55 AMG for ten years now and just can't part with it ! the sound, the power and sheer grunt when" flat out" is amazing. I've had 2- 911s an m3 and all sorts of Japanese turbo stuff as a kid, but this really is the governor. Its not a trac car, its just a sound and torque blast and will hit 60 in 4.3 if you have good rubber plus the roof!!!!!!!!! Coupe or cab at the touch of a button and no shitty canvas.Fantastic review
Nice one! Good to see the overwhelming consensus from owners being that they love these! Future cult car in the making
Watched this as part of my research into getting one and it definitely helped me pull the trigger ! Thanks for such an insight, and I clapped when you made the point about the racing line lol, that was EXACTLY my thought process.
That’s a very fair review of a great car and you only mentioned hairdressers once. To me the thing that lets it down is the interior. I owned two R171 350’s, pre and post facelift. The seats weren’t very comfortable, lots of plastic and somewhat cramped. I then bought an R172 SLK55 AMG (2013) and kept it for five years, what a difference. Comfy seats, more room, vastly improved materials (plus 50 more bhp and more economical too).
The R171 is a great car but I think the R172 is even better.
Loved my 2007 SLK 55 as well except for two things….the ride was quite hard and the roof creaked incessantly whether it was up or down. The agents just shrugged and said there was nothing they could do to stop the creaking.
Eventually swapped it for a manual Boxster GTS for a completely different experience, but ultimately settled on a Jaguar F Type R as I missed that great big V8.
The ride is firm yes, but there are adjustable aftermarket shocks that can address that for not too much money. I found most of the creaking with the top up was from the rubber where the roof meets the windscreen. Some TLC with silicone spray there periodically takes care of that and keeps the rubber supple. I have zero creaking with the roof down, perhaps some of the scissor joints on yours needed attention. I give those a bit of WD-40 also periodically.
Consumption bro on 100km in litars ?😊
Nice review. I'm surprised how few R172 reviews there are.
id love to have one someday
Only had mine since 2005. Offer me $80k for it, Yeah NO. Smile factor is off the dile. Topless V8 soundtrack is OTT. 4.9 to 60Mph is still relevant, even against many EVs. Love to blow them off just to see the look on their face.
Consumption ?
They're officially rated at around 24 mpg average and just over 30 motorway, but owners will be able to give a more accurate gauge. I'd suspect 22-25 average