Second Hand Mercedes-Benz SLK Radiator Fan

It depends on the engine variant. The SLK has been fitted with both electric radiator cooling fans (common on the four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines) and viscous or belt-driven mechanical fans on some variants, so the part does genuinely exist across the range. Your best starting point is your engine code from the V5 or a VIN check, as this tells a breaker exactly which fan setup your car uses.

The R170 and R171 are entirely separate generations with different engine families, cooling system layouts, and mounting arrangements, so a direct swap across that 2004 boundary is very unlikely. Even where engine codes appear similar between generations, ancillary and mounting details can differ, so you should confirm compatibility with the breaker against your exact registration before buying. Never assume a fan from the earlier generation will bolt straight in.

Yes, both years fall within the R171 generation (2004–2011), so you are at least starting within the same base platform. Fitment within a generation is primarily driven by engine code — for example, the 1.8 kompressor four-cylinder and the 3.5 V6 use different cooling setups — so make sure the engine codes match, not just the year. Confirm the exact part with the breaker against your registration to account for any mid-production ancillary changes.

The trim badge on the SLK broadly reflects the engine fitted, so in this case it does actually matter — not because of trim itself, but because different badges mean different engine codes with different cooling requirements. An SLK200 Kompressor and an SLK350 will use different fans, for instance. Always quote your engine code to the breaker rather than just the badge, as that is the definitive identifier for the correct part.

No — diesel and petrol engines have different cooling demands and the fan assemblies are not interchangeable even within the same generation and year. Fuel type is a key fitment factor for radiator fans, so a breaker will need to know both your fuel type and your engine code to match the right unit. Always confirm this detail upfront when requesting a quote.

Gearbox type can influence the cooling setup, particularly because an automatic transmission generates additional heat that may affect how the overall cooling system is configured. It is worth telling the breaker whether your car has a manual or automatic gearbox alongside your engine code, as this gives them the full picture. Confirm suitability against your registration before purchasing, as mid-production changes can affect ancillary components.