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Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK 320 Special Edition common faults.

2000–2004, convertible, petrol, 218 HP.

The fault list covers: M112E32 engine, MB6MT transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

2 fault write-ups. Both are important. 2 recalls.

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

Before you buy

Known faults

2 important faults

critical1

M112 and M113: the crankshaft vibration damper comes apart

critical

The pulley fitted to the front of the crankshaft is also a vibration damper: a rubber insert connects the outer ring to the inner one. The rubber ages and hardens, in the end it separates, and then the outer ring slips. The rubber ring can also fall out into the engine bay. This is one of the known faults of these engines, mainly on the early production units. The first sign is unusual vibration at idle, then a wobbling, clacking noise from the engine bay. If the pulley slips, it takes the belt drive with it and can touch the oil pan and the front cover. Those then have to be replaced as well, and the material cost alone is around 750 euro. Prevention is simple: it is worth checking the part number of the pulley and replacing an old-specification one before it comes apart while driving. The fault comes up above 170,000 km, but on the early units sooner as well.

above 170,000 kmfrom 750 EUR

What to check

  • At idle watch for unusual vibration and a wobbling noise from the front of the engine
  • Shine a light on the crankshaft pulley: cracking and separation of the rubber insert is visible
  • Ask whether the pulley has been replaced, and with the revised part number
2 more steps in the write-up

expensive1

M112 V6: leaking rocker cover and front cover gaskets

expensive

The gasket of the cam cover and the cover seals towards the oil filter housing age, harden and start to seep. On the M112 the oil loss around the cam cover gasket is a big theme in itself. The oil runs down the side and the front of the engine. The visible sign is an oil patch on the floor and an oily engine bay. The leak starts slowly, but the running oil can also get onto the belt drive and the exhaust. The part is not expensive: each of the two cam cover gaskets was around 18 euro. A lot depends on the quality of the repair. The covers of the crankcase breather on the cam cover are held by aluminium screws, and those break easily if someone leans on them: they may only be tightened gently by hand. The fault comes up above 130,000 km.

above 130,000 kmfrom 18 EUR

What to check

  • Shine a light on the rim of the cam cover and the front of the engine, look for fresh oil traces
  • Look at the floor in the parking space: an oil patch is a sign here too
  • Look for oil traces on the belt drive and the upper part of the exhaust
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class SLK 320 Special Edition

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

M112E32 · Viano 3.0

165 kW (224 HP) · petrol

MB6MT · 6-speed manual, longitudinal (Mercedes-Benz)

manual · 6 speed

Torque limit450 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 320 Special Edition
Body
convertible
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
manual
Engine size
3199 cc
Power
160 kW (218 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)

  • Spark plugs, petrol

    • 60,000 km or 6 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