Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLK 200 Kompressor, 163 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive | €494 | €5,790 | 173 | Petrol | Manual (6) | 2000–2004 | |
| SLK 200 Kompressor, 163 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive | €486 | €5,490 | 136 | Petrol | Automatic (5) | 2000–2004 | |
| SLK 230 Kompressor, 197 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive | €484 | €5,490 | 69 | Petrol | Automatic (5) | 2000–2004 |
At a glance
- Years: 1996 to 2004, with a facelift from February 2000. Two-seat roadster with a folding steel roof, built at Bremen. Four-cylinder M111 and V6 M112 petrol engines.
- Reliability: 3/5. The four-cylinder engines are called reliable, but the roof and rust need checks, and the cars are 20 to 30 years old.
- DIY: 2/5. Rust patches and underseal are home jobs. Roof faults need a scanner and a Mercedes workshop.
- Prefer: a full Mercedes service history, sound wheel arches and boot lock, and a roof that opens and closes in under 28 seconds.
- Avoid: bubbling paint on the arches, wing edges or boot lock, and a roof that is slow or stops halfway.
Engines and gearboxes
- M111 non-Kompressor (SLK 200, M111946, 1996-2000): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- M111 Kompressor (M111943, M111973, M111958, M111983): the facelift engines M111958 and M111983 have the oil-in-loom fault, see Oil in the facelift wiring loom. Otherwise no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- M112 SLK 320 (M112947, 2000-2004): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- M112 SLK 32 AMG (M112960, 2001-2004): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 5-speed manual (to 2000): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 6-speed manual (facelift): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 5-speed automatic (722.6, 5G-Tronic): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body rust | All cars, worst on cars used through winter | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Vario roof slows or stops | All cars | Not stated | Not stated |
| Oil in the facelift wiring loom | M111958, M111983 (facelift, 2000-2004) | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Water in the boot | All cars, rear unit in the boot | Not stated | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- On a lift, press the front wing edges, wheel arches, boot lock area and bonnet slam panel. Bad result: bubbling paint, soft metal or fresh filler. Ask whether the front wings were replaced or only treated.
- Open and close the roof twice from the switch and time it. A full cycle takes about 25 seconds and should finish within 28 seconds. Bad result: a slow cycle, a stop halfway, or a flashing switch. Look at the front cylinder for leaks and the headliner for dirt.
- Look at the camshaft adjuster and the wiring loom at the top of the engine for oil. Ask whether an oil-stop cable was fitted. Bad result: oil on the loom or the control unit, or no proof of the cable.
- Lift the boot trim behind the rear roof area. Pour water down the drains and watch where it comes out. Bad result: water in the boot well or a damp central-locking unit.
Running costs
| Operational | €296 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €119 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €86 |
| Total per month | €501 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €77 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 509
- 25th percentile
- €4,000
- Median price
- €5,950
- 75th percentile
- €8,500
- Median mileage
- 161,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2001
- Dealer share
- 34%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €8,683
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.