Cheap Mercedes-Benz SLK Ignition Switch

The SLK has used a conventional ignition switch barrel and lock cylinder across most of its production life, so yes, this is a genuine part on the car. Later R172 models (2011 onwards) introduced the push-button start system on some variants, which means those cars do not have a traditional keyed ignition switch in the same way. If your SLK is a later R172 with keyless start, confirm with the breaker exactly what component you need, as the ignition control unit differs from a conventional barrel-and-switch assembly.

The R170 ran from 1996 to 2004 and the R171 from 2004 to 2011, and these are distinct generations with different steering column and lock barrel designs, so the ignition switch from one will not simply swap into the other. You should source a switch from the correct generation for your car. Always confirm the part number with the breaker against your registration to be certain.

Trim and engine variant do not affect the ignition switch on the SLK — the switch is part of the steering column assembly and is the same across engine derivatives within the same generation. An R171 SLK200 Kompressor and an R171 SLK350 use the same ignition switch, so you do not need to chase a like-for-like engine match when buying used. Just make sure the part is from the correct generation (R170, R171, or R172) for your car.

This question crosses the generation boundary between the R171 (2004–2011) and the R172 (2011 onwards), so the two cars are unlikely to share the same ignition switch. The R172 also introduced push-button start on certain variants, which further complicates a direct comparison. Confirm with the breaker whether the R172 donor car was a keyed or keyless-start example, and check the part against your registration before buying.

Within the R171 generation (2004–2011) there were running changes, and the ignition switch or lock barrel may have been revised during production. In many cases parts from across the R171 range will interchange, but this is not guaranteed for every build date. Ask the breaker to cross-reference the part number against your specific registration to rule out any mid-cycle changes.

Mercedes-Benz did share components across models built on related platforms, and it is possible that some ignition switch parts crossed over between the SLK and other Mercedes ranges of the same era. However, this is not something to assume — column design, lock barrel format, and electronic coding can all differ even between visually similar parts. Route this question to the breaker, giving them both donor and recipient registrations, so they can check part numbers before you commit to a purchase.