Findapart

Mercedes-Benz SLK Timing Chain Replacement Parts

Get quotes for a used or replacement Mercedes-Benz SLK timing chain. Genuine second hand parts from UK vehicle dismantlers - free request, breakers with stock reply direct.

Enter your registration or select your vehicle

Find the right part faster and get quotes direct from UK breakers - free, and no obligation.

GB

Choosing the right used Mercedes-Benz SLK timing chain

Used timing chains vary between vehicles - and whether you call it used, second hand or a replacement, matching the right one matters. These are the details breakers need to match the right part to your car - our request form asks them so you only hear from suppliers with the correct part:

Other used Mercedes-Benz SLK parts

Used timing chain for other Mercedes-Benz models

Fitment questions

Does the Mercedes-Benz SLK have a timing chain or a timing belt?

It depends on the engine: most petrol engines fitted to the SLK — including the 1.8 kompressor, 3.5 V6, and AMG V8 units — use a timing chain rather than a belt, so there is no cambelt to replace on those variants. The diesel-engined SLK (the 250 CDI) also uses a chain-driven system. If you are unsure which setup your car has, check the engine code on your V5C or run a VIN check before ordering.

Will a timing chain from an R170 SLK fit an R171 SLK?

The R170 ran from 1996 to 2004 and the R171 from 2004 to 2011, and while both generations share some engineering DNA, the engine families changed significantly between them — the R170 used earlier M111 and M112 units while the R171 introduced the M272 and M271 kompressor engines, each with their own chain configuration. A chain from an R170 engine will not simply cross over to an R171 engine of a different code. Match by engine code first, and confirm compatibility with the breaker against your registration before buying.

Does the engine code really matter, or can I just match the year and model?

For a mechanical component like a timing chain, the engine code matters far more than the model year or badge — two SLKs built in the same year can carry entirely different engines with different chain designs, tensioners, and guides. Your engine code is stamped on the engine block and is also shown on your V5C or via a VIN check. Always supply the engine code to the breaker so they can pull the correct chain from the donor vehicle.

Will a timing chain from an R171 SLK 200 fit an R171 SLK 350?

No — the SLK 200 Kompressor uses the four-cylinder M271 engine and the SLK 350 uses the six-cylinder M272, and these are completely different engines with different timing chain assemblies. The badge or trim level is irrelevant here; what matters is that the engine codes do not match. Always confirm the exact engine code with your breaker.

Does it matter whether my SLK is an AMG or a standard model when buying a timing chain?

Yes, because the SLK 55 AMG uses the M113 or M156 V8 engine depending on generation, which has a different timing chain arrangement to the standard four- and six-cylinder engines — trim level only matters here because it signals a completely different engine. Confirm the engine code with your breaker rather than relying on the AMG badge alone, as there can be variation even within AMG variants across model years.

I have an R172 SLK — does the timing chain from an earlier SLK cross over?

The R172 ran from 2011 onwards and introduced updated engine variants including the M274 four-cylinder and the M276 V6, which differ in their chain systems from the M271 and M272 units found in the R171. A chain from an R171-era engine will not fit an R172 engine of a different code, and even engines sharing a family designation can have mid-production updates that affect chain part numbers. Give your engine code and registration to the breaker and let them confirm fitment from the donor vehicle details.