Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Roadster · 1st generation SLK

R170

The retractable hardtop that reinvented the compact roadster.

Production: 1996–2004
Built: 311,222
Roof: Vario hardtop
Top model: SLK 32 AMG

The R170 introduced the world’s first fully automatic retractable hardtop on a production car, turning the SLK from open roadster to steel-roofed coupé in about 25 seconds.

Launched for the 1997 model year on a shortened C-Class platform, the SLK paired that Vario-roof party trick with a four-cylinder Kompressor engine and styling borrowed from the 300 SL — power domes, round headlamps and a folding roof aimed squarely at the Porsche Boxster and BMW Z3.

A March 2000 facelift brought revised styling plus new engine and chassis codes, and added the six-cylinder SLK 320; the range topped out with the supercharged, AMG-tuned SLK 32 AMG. Mercedes-Benz built 311,222 examples across the eight-year run before the R171 replaced it.

R170 interior — A compact, driver-focused cockpit shared across the SLK range.

Every model.

7 distinct series across 1997–2004 — from the four-cylinder SLK 200 to the supercharged SLK 32 AMG, each identified by its chassis, engine and transmission numbers.

Model	Lata modelowe	Zbudowano	Podwozie	Silnik	Skrzynia biegów	Razem
SLK 200	1997–1999	07.1996–02.2000	170.435	111.946	717.417 · 717.418 · 722.602	44,846
SLK 200 Compressor	1997–1999	08.1996–02.2000	170.445	111.943	717.460	12,353
SLK 200 Compressor	2000–2004	02.2000–04.2004	170.444	111.958	716.622 · 716.630 · 722.616	113,520
SLK 230 Compressor	1997–1999	07.1996–02.2000	170.447	111.973	717.460 · 722.605	55,449
SLK 230 Compressor	2000–2004	02.2000–04.2004	170.449	111.983	716.622 · 716.630 · 716.662 · 722.616	47,305
SLK 320	2000–2004	02.2000–04.2004	170.465	112.947	716.660 · 716.667 · 722.618	33,416
SLK 32 AMG	2001–2004	01.2001–03.2004	170.466	112.960	722.641	4,333

* Opublikowana liczba produkcji obejmuje każdą serię tego modelu; źródło nie rozbija jej dalej.

717x 5-speed manual716x 6-speed manual722.6x 5-speed automatic

The supercharged SLK 32 AMG — roof up, the Vario hardtop gives the R170 a clean, closed-coupe silhouette.

Year by year.

From the first US-market SLK 230 to the facelift, V6 and AMG cars — the changes that distinguish one R170 from another.

1998
- The R170 reached US dealers as the SLK 230 Kompressor, pairing the 185-hp supercharged M111 four-cylinder with a five-speed automatic and the fully powered Vario folding hardtop.
- Early cars are identified by black lower bumper inserts, body-side rubbing strips and the original three-slat grille.
2001
- The facelift brought body-colour bumpers and side skirts, reshaped front and rear valances, mirror-mounted turn signals and revised tail lamps.
- ESP became standard, the manual gearbox gained a sixth ratio and the fuel tank grew from 53 to 60 litres.
- The SLK 320 joined the US range with the 3.2-litre M112 V6; facelifted SLK 230 cars moved to engine 111.983 and chassis 170.449.
2002
- The SLK 32 AMG arrived with a hand-built, supercharged 3.2-litre M112 V6, 349 hp, AMG Speedshift automatic, larger brakes and staggered 17-inch wheels.
2004
- Final US model year; the Special Edition combined unique wheels and trim with the late facelift equipment before R171 production replaced the R170 in spring 2004.

R170 rear three-quarter view — The 03/00 facelift brought a revised tail and new engine codes across the range.

Factory wheels.

Every original wheel offered for the R170, from the 16″ Adharaz to the 18″ AMG styles — with sizes, tires and genuine part numbers.

Adharaz

5-spoke wheel

16″

7 J x 16 ET 37 · 205/55 R 16
B6 647 1392
Standard silver finish; not for SLK 32 AMG
8 J x 16 ET 30 · RA 225/50 R 16
B6 647 1393
Standard silver finish; flaring for wide-base tires necessary if not factory-fitted; not compatible with snow chains; not for SLK 32 AMG

Corvus

6-spoke wheel

16″

7 J x 16 ET 37 · 205/55 R 16
B6 647 0523
Standard silver finish; not for SLK 32 AMG
8 J x 16 ET 36 · RA 225/50 R 16
B6 647 0526
Standard silver finish; flaring for wide-base tires necessary if not factory-fitted; not compatible with snow chains; not for SLK 32 AMG

Electra

5-twin-spoke wheel

16″

7 J x 16 ET 37 · 205/55 R 16
B6 647 2120
Standard silver finish; not for SLK 32 AMG

Pictor

7-hole wheel

16″

7 J x 16 ET 37 · 205/55 R 16
B6 647 0509
High-sheen finish; not for SLK 32 AMG
8 J x 16 ET 30 · RA 225/60 R 16
B6 647 0510
High-sheen finish; flaring for wide-base tires necessary if not factory-fitted; not compatible with snow chains; not for SLK 32 AMG

Sargas

5-twin-spoke wheel

16″

7 J x 16 ET 37 · 205/55 R 16
B6 647 1542
Sterling silver finish; only with rim weights; not for SLK 32 AMG

Alhena

5-hole wheel

17″

7.5 J x 17 ET 37 · 225/45 R 17
B6 647 4020
High-sheen finish

Alshain

7-spoke wheel

17″

7.5 J x 17 ET 37 · 225/45 R 17
B6 647 1511
Sterling silver finish

Ceginus

EVO II wheel

17″

7.5 J x 17 ET 37 · 225/45 R 17
B6 647 0518
High-sheen finish

Celaeno

7-twin-spoke wheel

17″

7.5 J x 17 ET 37 · 225/45 R 17
B6 647 1821
Sterling silver finish
8.5 J x 17 ET 30 · RA 245/40 R 17
B6 647 1822
Sterling silver finish, multi-piece; flaring for wide-base tires necessary if not factory-fitted; not compatible with snow chains

Saidak

5-twin-spoke wheel, multi-piece

17″

7.5 J x 17 ET 37 · 225/45 R 17
B6 647 1671
Sterling silver finish
8.5 J x 17 ET 30 · RA 245/40 R 17
B6 647 1672
Sterling silver finish; flaring for wide-base tires necessary if not factory-fitted; not compatible with snow chains

Style I

AMG spoke wheel

17″

7.5 J x 17 ET 37 · 225/45 R 17
B6 603 1005
High-sheen rim flange
8.5 J x 17 ET 30 · RA 245/40 R 17
B6 603 1006
High-sheen rim flange

Style II

AMG disc wheel

17″

7.5 J x 17 ET 35 · 225/45 R 17
B6 602 0083
High-sheen rim flange
8.5 J x 17 ET 30 · RA 245/40 R 17
B6 602 0085
High-sheen rim flange

Style III (multi-piece)

AMG spoke wheel, multi-piece

17″

7.5 J x 17 ET 37 · 225/45 R 17
B6 603 1030
High-sheen rim flange; modification of bodywork necessary
8.5 J x 17 ET 34 · RA 245/40 R 17
B6 603 1031
High-sheen rim flange

Style III

AMG spoke wheel

17″

7.5 J x 17 ET 37 · 225/45 R 17
B6 603 1183
Sterling silver finish; high-sheen variation B6 603 1028
7.5 J x 17 ET 37 · 225/45 R 17
B6 603 1440
Sterling silver finish
8.5 J x 17 ET 30 · RA 245/40 R 17
B6 603 1184
Sterling silver finish
8.5 J x 17 ET 34 · RA 245/40 R 17
B6 603 1185
Sterling silver finish; high-sheen variation B6 603 1029
8.5 J x 17 ET 30 · RA 245/40 R 17
B6 603 1441
Sterling silver finish

Style IV

AMG twin-spoke wheel

17″

7.5 J x 17 ET 37 · 225/45 R 17
B6 603 1302
Sterling silver finish
7.5 J x 17 ET 37 · 225/45 R 17
B6 603 1026
Sterling silver finish
8.5 J x 17 ET 34 · RA 245/40 R 17
B6 603 1027
Sterling silver finish
8.5 J x 17 ET 30 · RA 245/40 R 17
B6 603 1303
Sterling silver finish

Tureis

5-spoke wheel

17″

7.5 J x 17 ET 37 · 225/45 R 17
B6 647 0513
Standard silver finish

Style II

AMG disc wheel

18″

8 J x 18 ET 31 · FA 225/40 R 18
B6 603 1007
High-sheen rim flange; modification of bodywork necessary
9 J x 18 ET 35 · RA 255/35 R 18
B6 603 1001
High-sheen rim flange; modification of bodywork necessary

Style IV

AMG twin-spoke wheel

18″

7.5 J x 18 ET 37 · 225/40 R 18
B6 603 1310
Sterling silver finish; modification of bodywork necessary
8.5 J x 18 ET 30 · RA 255/35 R 18
B6 603 1305
Sterling silver finish; modification of bodywork necessary
8.5 J x 18 ET 34 · RA 255/35 R 18
B6 603 1342
Sterling silver finish; modification of bodywork necessary

Style IV (multi-piece)

AMG twin-spoke wheel, multi-piece

18″

7.5 J x 18 ET 37 · 225/40 R 18
B6 603 1368
Sterling silver finish; modification of bodywork necessary
8.5 J x 18 ET 30 · RA 255/35 R 18
B6 603 1362
Sterling silver finish; modification of bodywork necessary

Style V

AMG multi-spoke wheel

18″

7.5 J x 18 ET 37 · 225/40 R 18
B6 603 1113
High-sheen finish
8.5 J x 18 ET 30 · RA 245/35 R 18
B6 603 1114
High-sheen finish

Original brochures.

Factory sales literature for the R170, exactly as it left the dealership — free to download as PDF.

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