If you’re looking for an affordable sports car, you can choose a second-generation Mercedes SLK R171 with a V6 engine or a third-generation SLK R172 with a 4-cylinder engine.
Mercedes SLK R 170
The Mercedes SLK debuted in 1996 as a rival to the Porsche Boxster and BMW Z3 and was produced in three generations over 24 years. The first generation, the R170, was sold in over 300,000 examples between 1996 and 2004 and was based on the C-Class W202 platform. It also had an AMG version, the SLK 32 AMG, with a mechanically supercharged V6 engine developing 354 PS.
The 2,400 mm wheelbase was identical to the wheelbase of 190 SL and 300 SL.
Mercedes SLK R171
The second generation, the R171, was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in the spring of 2004 and was produced in over 500,000 examples until 2010. The protruding nose was inspired by Formula 1, and the SLK featured the innovative Airscarf neck heating system. With a fully galvanized body and 46% improved torsional rigidity over the R170 generation with its retractable hardtop lowered, the Mercedes SLK is an ideal choice for those looking for a budget sports car in the €15,000 range.
That money can buy the top-spec SLK 350 in combination with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The 3.5-liter V6 engine develops 272 PS or 306 PS after the 2008 facelift. The Mercedes SLK 350 was the last convertible from Mercedes to have a manual transmission in combination with the 6-cylinder engine. Car&Driver magazine noted that the naturally aspirated V6 engine harmonized perfectly with the 6-speed manual transmission. A 7G-Tronic version with a 7-speed automatic transmission was available as an option.
The car is generally very reliable and holds its value over time. If any noises come from the timing chain, it has to be replaced.
Mercedes SLK R172
For the same budget of €15,000, you can also buy the latest generation Mercedes SLK, the R172, but only with the 4-cylinder engine as the SLK 350 was more expensive. The SLK R172 had the longest lifecycle from all three generations, being produced from 2011 to 2020, with a facelift in December 2015, when the name was changed to SLC.
The third generation kept the retractable hardtop solution, which allowed it to be used year-round. A budget of €15,000 can buy a Mercedes SLK 200 with a 4-cylinder engine (1.8-liter/184 PS or 2.0-liter/184 PS after the 2015 facelift) in combination with a pleasant and agile automatic transmission. The 4-cylinder version also comes with a manual gearbox, but these are quite rare.
If you’re lucky, you can find a pre-facelift SLK 250 with a 1.8-liter, 204 PS engine or a post-facelift SLC 300 with a 2.0-liter, 245 PS engine for the same money. The Mercedes SLK R172 came with a Comand Online multimedia system (Apple CarPlay can be retrofitted) and Magic Sky Control panoramic roof whose opacity could be varied from perfectly transparent to completely opaque.
All three generations:
Mercedes SLK R170 (1995-2004, facelift in 2000): over 300,000 units produced. Retractable hardtop dubbed vario-roof by Mercedes. based on the C-Class W202 platform. Versions: SLK 200, SLK 200 Kompressor, 230 Kompressor, SLK 320, SLK 32 AMG.
Mercedes SLK R171 (2004-2011, facelift in 2008): over 500,000 units produced. Formula 1 inspired nose, better torsional rigidity, new retractable hardtop deployable in 22 seconds compared with 25 seconds before. Versions: SLK 200 Kompressor, SLK 280, SLK 300, SLK 350, SLK 55 AMG.
Mercedes SLK R172 (2011-2020, facelift in 2015, name changed in SLC): Comand Online, Magic Sky Control panoramic vario-roof, the only SLK available with a diesel engine. Versions: SLC180, SLK 200/SLC 200, SLK 250, SLC 300, SLK 350, SLK 55 AMG, AMG SLC 43.
