Used Mercedes-Benz SLK Intercooler

Only certain SLK variants have an intercooler — specifically those fitted with a turbocharged or supercharged engine, such as the supercharged SLK 200 Kompressor and SLK 350 supercharged models, which use a charge-air cooler as part of their forced-induction system. Naturally aspirated SLK variants, such as some versions of the SLK 200 and SLK 350 fitted with non-forced-induction engines, do not have an intercooler at all. If you are unsure whether your specific SLK has forced induction, check your engine code on your V5 or run a VIN check before searching for this part.

The SLK has run across three main generations: the R170 (1996–2004), the R171 (2004–2011), and the R172 (2011–2016). Forced-induction engines — and therefore intercoolers — appeared across all three generations in various Kompressor and later turbocharged variants, such as the R171 SLK 200 Kompressor and the R172 SLK 200. The R172 generation moved toward turbocharged engines rather than superchargers, so the intercooler design differs significantly from earlier Kompressor units — always confirm the exact engine code with the breaker.

Both fall within the R171 generation (2004–2011), so they share the same basic platform, but fitment depends primarily on the engine code rather than the year — an intercooler from an SLK 200 Kompressor will not suit an SLK 350 even within the same generation. The R171 also received updates during its production run, and mounting or ancillary details may have changed mid-production, so confirm the specific engine code and year against your registration with the breaker before purchasing.

The R172 (2011–2016) uses a different engine family from the R171 (2004–2011), and the switch from supercharged Kompressor engines to turbocharged units means the forced-induction systems are fundamentally different — an R171 intercooler will not cross over to an R172. Always match the part to your exact engine code, which you can find on your V5 or via a VIN check, and confirm compatibility with the breaker against your registration.

No — trim level does not affect intercooler fitment on the SLK; what matters is the engine code, which determines whether your car has forced induction and which type of intercooler it uses. An SLK 200 Kompressor in a higher specification will use the same intercooler as a lower-specification SLK 200 Kompressor with the same engine code. Focus your search on the engine code from your V5 rather than the trim or any cosmetic specification of your car.

The most important detail is your engine code, which you can find on your V5 logbook or by running a VIN check — this tells the breaker exactly which forced-induction system your car has and whether a used unit will suit it. You should also provide the generation (R170, R171, or R172), the model year, and your full registration, as ancillary fittings and mounting points can vary within a generation. Whether any electronic components associated with the intercooler system require coding to your vehicle is something to confirm directly with the breaker rather than assume.