Mercedes Benz SLK55 AMG (R171): A Car That Mercedes Should Have Never Made

In this video, I will review a 2006 Mercedes Benz SLK55 AMG (R171). This car is from a bygone era where the three German Automakers (Mercedes Benz, BMW and Audi) were in competition to put the biggest V8s and V10s in their cars. We will never have this again as cars are being more electrified or going fully electric due to current emission standards. This car will for sure be another future classic from a venerable brand that specializes in manufacturing German muscle cars.

[@nornibres]

I own a 2005 SLK55, a 2006 BMW Z4M roadster, and a 2009 Porsche Boxster S with PDK. What an era for roadsters! The SLK is the muscle car of the lot. All are different enough that they really don't overlap. The SLK and Z4M are really rare, but prices don't reflect that yet. I would say to buy the marque that appeals to you the most, you really can't go wrong. Enjoyed the video.

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

Man, that's awesome that you have all of those cars. I agree with you 100% that the era of putting V8s and V10s in the cars was probably one of the best. I think in 3-5 years, the prices of Z4M and SLK55 will increase as they definitely meet the requirements for rare, classic, and stylish cars. I own 8 cars, but my favorites are my '23 M3 6speed, '24 GR Corolla 6speed, and my '97 C36 AMG big turbo. I'm also looking for a 2001-2002 Z3M that has the S54 engine (same as your Z4M). I hope to snatch one soon because I really like those. Thank you for watching the video, btw, and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@nornibres]

@@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779 lol, You have me by 1 car. I also have a 68 Camaro convertible, a base 2004 Boxster manual, a 2011 Mustang GT convertible 6 speed Brembo brake car( 1 of 1according to the Marti report.), and a 2016 GLA45 AMG. If I had more space I'd buy a Z4M coupe and a2004 Boxster 550 Spyder. Happy collecting.

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

@nornibres lol. You have me beat by a BUNCH since you have a fine collection of performance/classic oriented cars. I have 3 2024 Siennas that I rent out on Turo, and they're great money makers but definitely not a cars & Coffee type of vehicle. I will get there one day, hahaha

[@jimihendrix1575]

I have a 2007 SLK55 AMG in the same color. I adore this car. It's a 'fair weather' car, and gets put in a heated garage with a trickle charger during the winter. Every time l drive her, l have a big, dumb grin on my face, she is such a joy to own. That big V8 sound is so good, l never even turn the radio on. I put 19" AMG wheels on her and a 'smart-top' module. I will never sell this car! Just a wonderful vehicle.

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

That is so great to hear. Thank you for sharing your story. My friend that owns this car has similar feeling and appreciation of his SLK55 as well. I would never turn on the radio when driving it as well because it would take away from the pleasure of driving this beauty.

[@christophercastaldi3649]

Not to mention how great it is that it takes up so little space in the garage.

[@Bader1940]

Just bought a silver 2006 SLK55 AMG and put 5 spoke AMG wheels on it as it suits the looks of the car so well. And I agree with everything you said. Have not turned any music. There is plenty coming from the exhaust and engine. A wonderful machine.

[@jaycrzy5737]

how’s the trans? are there any tunes out there to make it more snappy?

[@moflyboyblanquito541]

I hate being a car nut. Being a car nut and not wealthy is miserable.

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

I can relate man. Hopefully one day we both become wealthy!

[@CLOUD316]

hahahaha facts ^ but sadly as a gear head its never enough..... trust me

[@ianmuir3640]

You can still have fun you might not be able to afford the car you want but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying yourself

[@jakes5530]

you can pick these up for under $20k now

[@kaivirkkala3213]

I have one in my garage withe the same spec and I drive it almost daly during sunny summer days, it is a dream to drive and the engine sound nice. 👍

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

@@kaivirkkala3213 that's super cool to be able to drive it daily. I love it.

[@erasingdaddy1963]

I wish mercedes would bring back the SLK. The 2007 to 2012 were the best looking.

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

Yes. That would be great. Unfortunately, the era of the big V8s in small cars is long over. Sad times!

[@silverarrowslk]

@@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779All about power to weight ratio

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

@@silverarrowslk That is a great concept that a lot of automakers forget about

[@tommyturner2196]

Actually those 2 side vents do work with both heat and air if you know how to set them to work.

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

@tommyturner2196 that's interesting. I'll let the owner of it know. I thought they were for cosmetics.

[@peteyv]

The roll bars don’t have plastic stitching, that is the parting line for the two cavities that mold the plastic cover for the roll bar. In any injection molded application, parting lines will be present, especially on a part that is hollow

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

I see. Actually, the more I think about it, you're absolutely correct. Thank you for letting me know.

[@Lavaman3682]

I love the Boxster s from the same era, but I purchased an 07 SLK55 for one reason: no IMS

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

I agree with you. Plus your badboy sounds AMAZING with that NA V8.

[@michaeldeangelo2259]

I read somewhere these cars will become the modern age "Pagoda" for Mercedes in terms of collectiblity .

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

They definitely can become as collectible as the Pagodas especially since not too many of these were built.

[@Modly1991]

Ca 11 000

[@kevinjekyll1521]

I am a nut case, so I have a SLK55 AMG, in Silver and a Z4M, in Red, I am working on getting a Boxter once my finances have recovered recovered, no finance in this house. I'd have to say the; looks, sounds and driving experiences are very different, but so rewarding in their own way. These cars have character and presence, but the average person won't care, cars are just appliances, when they have used them up, throw them away and buy something else. I think for me the early 2000's was a great era of cars, rather the great error of EV's... Thanks for the review.

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

I am a nutcase as well, Kevin, so don't feel too bad. I currently own a '08 IS-F, '97 C36 AMG (heavily modified), '23 M3 6speed in Individual Speed Yellow (review will go live in few weeks), '97 QX4, and recently bought ANOTHER '97 4Runner 5speed 4x4, lol. Thankfully, I do have a good career to balance the bills, including mortgage and high costs of living in California. I do %100 agree with you regarding the early 2000s being the halo years of ICE cars as V10s and V8s were being stuffed into European cars and Greta, governments, and others weren't trying to kill those cars as EVs are boring to drive at least for me... Anyhow, have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for your support!

[@kevinjekyll1521]

Thanks for the reply, wow some really cool cars that I would love to add to my collection too. I want a M3 like yours, also the IS-F, so cool. I look for the smallest car with the biggest engine I can find. SLK55AMG well... To ne honest my other cars are; VW Passat W8 wagon, 2 Fiat Coupe 20VT's, BMW 135i coupe tuned to 400+hp, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Porsche 928s4, Toyota IQ... so you can see totally crazy here, but in a good way. Odd ball fleet, I guess they reflect their owner. I had a BMW i3REX for about 8 months, loved the interior, traded it in for the Z4M, and replaced it with the IQ 100GM as a small run around. So from one enthusiast to another I salute you, rest assured there people out here in the wild that still do have the passion for cars. I look forward to more content from you. Enjoy.

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

@@kevinjekyll1521 That FLEET is just SUPER RAD Kevin. I love your passion and yes we both belong to the eccentric gearhead club that appreciate cars when they were built to be fun and none of this EV crap. Here's the latest video that was just published... British car w/ an Italian heart. Keep on motoring man! kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6jEn2SvocmEbNksi=aDfrRfKqRVQtl6Y9

[@kevinjekyll1521]

@@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779 Just rewatched this, still a great video, I still have mine, and have just added an Alfa Mito QV to the mix, as you know you can't be a true idiot without having an Alfa in your life, haha.

[@Why-Pay-Retail]

You can adjust the vents so air blows out of the 2 small vents that you said do nothing 👍

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

I tested the AC and they didn't work. I will ask the owner. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

[@jeffsaussiemusclecar]

How do you get the vents to work?

[@Why-Pay-Retail]

@@jeffsaussiemusclecar Watch the video I just uploaded which shows you how it works.

[@kimcousins1125]

I love the automatic gearbox. I don't race the car so I would never go back to a manual.

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

It's a very responsive transmission indeed and I am glad that you enjoy it. However, I personally prefer manual over auto and I know it's slower but it's about driving experience for me. Thank you for your feedback 🙏

[@kimcousins1125]

@@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779 I understand, but for driving in urban areas the auto makes driving so easy. Enjoyed your review though, well done.

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

I totally understand your situation. It makes more rational sense for you to have the automatic transmission.

[@salaheddinmahallati4899]

Very good explication.

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

Thank you for your feedback 😊

[@christianfriedrichs]

Nice! What was modified on the exhaust?

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

The owner has a secondary and resonator delete. The mufflers are stock.

[@ianmuir3640]

It’s a great car that’s the one I’d like to have but the v6 350 is still a good engine

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

The V6 is goof and has enough power but can't be comparable to this badboy.

[@RustyCar]

I have a 2012 SLK350 with the 3.5L V6 and 302 HP. Love it!!

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

@@RustyCar that's a good amount of power for that small car. Keep enjoying it.

[@RustyCar]

@@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779 - Oh most definitely! Vroooom vrooom!

[@davu6712]

Nice review! I’m considering this or a R230 SL… This doesn’t have the ABC reliability issues so might just get this

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

Thank you! I definitely think this is a more subtle AMG bullet with a fairly reliable engine and definitely doesn't have the ABC failures. This will definitely be a future classic because of its small size and hefty engine. Best of luck on your search. Keep me posted!

[@Lavaman3682]

That's why I avoided an SL from that era (post r129)

[@moflyboyblanquito541]

Probably more about the wheel base

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

short wheel base and lots of power is great!

[@silverarrowslk]

A car they never should have made!? Absolute nonsense. I emphatically disagree with you. However they should have had the gearbox mounted at the rear for weight balance - transaxle.

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

I'm curious as to see why you think they should have never made this car? Is it the SLK 55 or all of SLKs in general?

[@DavidCombee-bg9bd]

Funny ,my car does not have that B/S noise coming out of the exhaust you promote . Now you would have said something about biodegradable insulation falling off wires in fuel tank, feeding fuel pump and sending unit . bare wire touching each other,causing fuse to fuel to blow , giving the impression that fuel pump is bad ,they do not sell pump sending wires ,only new fuel tank for thousands. Then you would be talking about the 06 SLK 55 AMG with less than one thousand miles on car ( PIECE of SHIT ) that I own

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

David, you're entitled to your opinion regarding the exhaust, but it's makes great sound in person, and many others besides me have complimented it. On the other hand, I'm very sorry you've been having such bad luck with the maintenance of your car and expensive parts you've had to purchase. I hope it doesn't keep breaking down on you man.

[@RoadSurferOfficial]

Blame the german government for making biodegradable wiring harnesses. They are made to fail. Sorry to hear that. You need to retrograde the wiring harness sorry to say. I have an r170, has some biodegradable wiring in the headlights so I know the pain but definitely not to that extent. That is very frustrating.

[@RoadSurferOfficial]

Pick up a fuel tank from a junkyard and retrograde it and install it, or pay someone to do it.

[@adrianmolloy6204]

This guy just misses the point, Merc SLK are mile munchers, good GT cruisers, a great badge to own. I suppose he hates all US cars not supplied with 6 speed manual.

[@radridesbyehsanshirazi8779]

I think you're missing the point. I do love my C36 AMG and my RS3 with auto. However, manual cars have a much better feel to them, especially in spirited driving.