Second Hand Mercedes-Benz SLK Crankshaft

Yes, every variant of the Mercedes-Benz SLK has a crankshaft — it is a fundamental internal engine component present in all petrol and diesel engines, and the SLK was produced with a range of four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines across all three generations, each containing its own crankshaft. There is no SLK variant that would ever have been built without one.

Almost certainly not — the R170 and R171 are separate generations with different engine families, and even where engine displacement looks similar on paper, the internal architecture, stroke, and bearing dimensions typically differ. The engine code, which you can find on your V5 or via a VIN check, is the detail that actually determines compatibility, not the SLK badge or generation alone. Always confirm the engine code with the breaker before purchasing.

Yes, but it is the engine that drives the difference, not the trim name itself — the SLK200 Kompressor uses a four-cylinder engine with a different bore, stroke, and crankshaft specification to the SLK350's V6. The trim badge in this case reflects a genuinely different engine, so always match the crankshaft to your engine code rather than just the model name. Supply your engine code to the breaker to ensure you receive the correct unit.

Possibly, but you need to match by engine code first — if both cars share the same engine code, the crankshaft internals are likely to be the same, but there can be ancillary or specification changes mid-production run that are difficult to confirm without checking against your specific registration. The safest approach is to give the breaker your full engine code and registration so they can verify compatibility before you commit to buying.

If the engine codes are genuinely identical, the crankshaft itself may well be the same part, as Mercedes-Benz shared engine families across multiple models in this period — for example, certain M271 and M272 units appeared in the SLK, C-Class, and E-Class. However, confirm with the breaker that the code is a true match and not a closely related but dimensionally different variant, as small revisions were made across different applications. Never assume fitment based on displacement alone.

The gearbox type does not directly affect the crankshaft specification, as the crankshaft is internal to the engine and its design is determined by the engine code, fuel type, and displacement rather than how drive is transmitted. That said, always confirm your engine code with the breaker, as this remains the single most important detail for ensuring you receive the correct crankshaft for your vehicle.