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Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK 230 Kompressor common faults.

2000–2004, convertible, petrol, 197 HP.

The fault list covers: M111E23MLEVO engine, MB7226 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

1 fault write-ups. Important. 2 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

1 important faults

5G-Tronic (722.6): control unit in oil, coolant in the ATF

expensive

The Mercedes 5 speed 722.6 automatic (5G-Tronic / NAG1) has three faults that also recur on the used market: (1) the control electronics sit inside the gearbox housing, and a leaking connector lets oil onto the electronics; (2) cooling faults around 2003 (and later) can let antifreeze into the ATF, which shortens its life; (3) wear of the torque converter lock-up clutch contaminates the valve body and causes jerky shifts.

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The early cars (1995 to 2001) had planetary gear and freewheel wear; after 1998 to 2001 the design improved, and on the used market the W203/W211/W220 era is the typical find.

between 120,000 and 250,000 km

What to check

  • Try it cold and warm: jerking or delayed shifts are suspect
  • Look at the colour and smell of the ATF: burnt oil points to wear, and a "milky" emulsion means antifreeze in the ATF
  • Ask for a fault code read on the gearbox controller
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK 230 Kompressor

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall2 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

A12/01236/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under certain climate conditions, lead over time to a chemical change in the fuel. In the event of an accident triggering the release of the driver or passenger airbag, this change could cause the gas generators to burst. If a gas generator ruptures, the airbag would then have no restraining function and loose parts from the gas generator could reach the vehicle interior. This would increase the risk of injury for passengers.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/01448/22Safety recallEnvironment, Injuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Faulty configurations of the control units (traction systems, signal recording triggering modules, engine control units and headlights) could cause one or more control units to malfunction, which could increase the risk of an accident. The exhaust emissions exceed the legal limits, posing a risk to the environment. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

M111E23MLEVO

145 kW (197 HP) · unknown

MB7226 · 5G-Tronic, longitudinal (Mercedes 722.6 / NAG1)

automatic · 5 speed

Torque limit600 Nm
MakerMercedes-Benz

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
SLK 230 Kompressor
Body
convertible
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
2295 cc
Power
145 kW (197 HP)
Drive
RWD
Production
2000–2004

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)
All R170 versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms