Mercedes M111 E20
Most of all, grease leaks will cause you problems, and their number grows with mileage.
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class engines
The Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class is a German sports car in the back of a roadster, produced by the Mercedes-Benz automaker since 1996. Since 2011, the 3rd generation of the model has been released. SLK in the name – these are the first letters of the phrase, literally translated from German as “sporty, light and short”. The car is assembled in Germany, sold mainly in the North American and European segments of the car market. Since 2016, with the release of an updated version of the 3rd generation of the model, the designation of the car has changed to Mercedes-Benz SLC-class (C-class compact roadster).
The Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class was offered with 8 engines between 1996 and 2017 (7 petrol, 1 diesel). Displacement ranges from 1.8 to 3.5 liters, power output from 95 to 354 hp. All of them use a timing chain. 2 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Mercedes M111 E23 (about 450,000 km).
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class engines by generation
| Engine | Years | Volume | Power | Fuel | Timing | Oil | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class R170 1996–2004 | |||||||
| Mercedes M111 E23 | 1996–2004 | 2.3 L R4 | 143–193 hp | petrol | chain | 5.5 L | ~450,000 km |
| Mercedes M111 E20 | 1996–2004 | 2.0 L R4 | 136–192 hp | petrol | chain | 5.5 L | ~420,000 km |
| Mercedes M112 E32 | 2000–2004 | 3.2 L V6 | 190–354 hp | petrol | chain | 7.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class R171 2004–2011 | |||||||
| Mercedes M271 E18 | 2004–2011 | 1.8 L R4 | 122–204 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 5.5 L | ~320,000 km |
| Mercedes M272 E35 | 2004–2011 | 3.5 L V6 | 258–292 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | ~320,000 km |
| Mercedes M272 E30 | 2004–2010 | 3.0 L V6 | 231 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | ~300,000 km |
| Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class R172 2011–2017 | |||||||
| Mercedes M271 E18 | 2011–2015 | 1.8 L R4 | 122–204 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 5.5 L | ~320,000 km |
| Mercedes M276 DE35 | 2011–2015 | 3.5 L V6 | 252–333 hp | petrol, NA / turbo | chain | 8 L | ~300,000 km |
| Mercedes OM651 | 2012–2017 | 1.8–2.1 L R4 | 95–204 hp | diesel | chain + gears | 6.5 L | ~400,000 km |
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class engine FAQ
What engines were used in the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class?
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class R170 (1996–2004): Mercedes M111 E23, Mercedes M111 E20 and Mercedes M112 E32; Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class R171 (2004–2011): Mercedes M271 E18, Mercedes M272 E35 and Mercedes M272 E30; Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class R172 (2011–2017): Mercedes M271 E18, Mercedes M276 DE35 and Mercedes OM651.
Which Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class engine is the most durable?
By rated service life the most durable Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class engines are: Mercedes M111 E23 — about 450,000 km; Mercedes M111 E20 — about 420,000 km; Mercedes OM651 — about 400,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.
How much oil does the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class engine take?
Engine oil capacity with filter: Mercedes M111 E20 — 5.5 L (5W-40); Mercedes M111 E23 — 5.5 L (5W-40); Mercedes M112 E32 — 7.5 L (5W-30); Mercedes M271 E18 — 5.5 L (5W-30); Mercedes M272 E30 — 8 L (5W-30); Mercedes M272 E35 — 8 L (5W-30); Mercedes M276 DE35 — 8 L (5W-30); Mercedes OM651 — 6.5 L (5W-30).
Does the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class have a timing belt or chain?
Timing chain: Mercedes M111 E20, Mercedes M111 E23, Mercedes M112 E32, Mercedes M271 E18, Mercedes M272 E30, Mercedes M272 E35, Mercedes M276 DE35 and Mercedes OM651; gear drive: Mercedes OM651.
Was the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class available with a diesel engine?
Yes: Mercedes OM651.
Engine details
Mercedes M111 E23
Most of all, grease leaks will cause you problems, and their number grows with mileage.
Mercedes M112 E32
The signature failure of this series of engines is the destruction of the crankshaft pulley.
Mercedes M271 E18
The most famous engine problem is the stuck exhaust valves due to soot.
Mercedes M272 E30
The weakest point of this power unit is its timing drive.
Mercedes M272 E35
The weakest point of this power unit is its timing drive.
Mercedes OM651
Until 2011, the main versions were equipped with a Delphi fuel system with piezo injectors, which were prone to leaks, which often…
Mercedes M276 DE35
The most problematic place of this power unit is the timing chain tensioners.
Models with the same engines
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class 8 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class 8 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class 6 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz M-Class 5 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class 5 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz Vito/Viano/V-Class 5 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 4 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class 4 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 4 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4 shared engines