Mercedes SLK55 AMG (R172) | Spotted
Big engine, small car, massive attitude - the 55 has become an AMG classic
Though hard to picture right now, with this summer feeling as far away as the last, we do love a brawny V8 roadster in the UK. So much of the early TVR appeal was in lightweight, great looking drop-tops that rumbled like little else, and it’s still possible to buy a new F-Type convertible in 2023 with the 5.0-litre AJ-V8. That’ll definitely put a smile on your face when the sun finally comes back out.
From Ariel to Westfield, dozens of British carmakers have stuffed a V8 in an unsuspecting sports car over the years, creating some legends in the process. But we can’t claim to be the only place fond of a big engine in a small, roofless car, of course. AMG might be at its most desirable when making hot rods of family cars (or putting an F1 engine in a production model), but it has a rich history of convertibles as well. One that looks even richer with an uncertain future: the SL still has a brilliant V8 in it, but that’s a more expensive prospect than ever. The C-Class-sized drop-top won’t get a big engine again, and the SLK/SLC isn’t going to return anytime soon either. If Audi can’t make the TT viable, then there’s no hope for the smallest Merc convertible.
Amazingly, it was less than a decade ago that you could still buy an SLK with a V8 in it, that most traditionally charming of sports car recipes brought into sub-200g/km relevance for the 2010s. The NEDC test skewed reality here as it did in so many other instances - the official MPG was 33.6! - but the SLK was smarter than most, with cylinder deactivation for the V8 meaning better MPG and CO2 than even the least powerful V6 F-Type.
The 55’s 5.5-litre V8 was claimed to be the most efficient V8 in the world in 2011; essentially it was the engine used by the E-Class and SL AMGs at the time, without the turbochargers used by the big cars. That meant smaller outputs than the 63s, but ‘smaller’ is a relative word in the world of AMG: this was still a compact sports car usually powered by four-cylinder engines with more than 420hp and almost 400lb ft. Plus a soundtrack straight out of Hollywood, with your neck being kept warm by the AirScarf. The SLK wasn’t a Boxster to drive, but equally it wasn’t hard to see the appeal. Where the six-cylinder AMG SLKs never quite captured the imagination, the 55s were proper little bruisers in best Affalterbach tradition.
That character, and a relatively short time on sale, has kept values strong. There are later, lower mileage SLC43s out there - the replacement for this car with the 367hp twin-turbo V6 - around for thousands less than this car. A 2014 model in Polar White (seemingly a popular colour for these, oddly enough) with fewer than 40,000 miles, it’s still quite the attention grabber, from the blistered arches and quad pipes to enormous engine shoehorned into an engine bay that still doesn’t look large enough. You’d be checking the oil every other day, just for one more look. Then start it up, for one more listen. The nuances of ride and handling become somewhat less persuasive with that kind of engine for company.
This 55 is for sale at £28,995, about the top of the market right now. Hardly a bargain basement AMG then, but still a relatively recent car as well - however old school the layout seems. With a panoramic hardtop and all the modern Merc luxuries inside, there’s no reason why the SLK couldn’t be used every single day, come more rain or (hopefully) some sunshine. And what a treat it would be.
SPECIFICATION | MERCEDES SLK55 AMG
Engine: 5,461cc, V8
Transmission: 7-speed AMG Speedshift Plus automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 422@6,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 398@4,500rpm
MPG: 33.6 (NEDC)
CO2: 195g/km (NEDC)
First registered: 2014
Recorded mileage: 37,000
Price new: £54,965 (before options)
Yours for: £28,990
Wonder if they can be converted to a manual, can get the lower models with a manual box, wonder if you can piece it together, seems to be a movement for converting cars and it actually not ruining the value, M3 CSL and a few Ferrari 599's being done. Apparently a 350Z gearbox can be drafted into fit based on a quick Google.
It is definitely not as sharp to drive as the Porsche, but arguably just as involving (in a fundamentally different way, of course!). I'd say its other attributes do put it on an even footing overall though. The interior is *miles* ahead of the 987.2, and as wonderful as that flat six was, the V8 completely dominates the SLK. Fuel consumption is averaging 28-32mpg on a mixed 30-mile commute (it's actually pretty keen to drop to four cylinders in eco mode) but I'm sure that will drop once the weather improves and the roof comes off to enjoy the soundtrack some more!
as others suggest, why no manual and how hard would it be to convert to manual, I believe some other gearbox could also fit, or maybe make the automatic a manual? or is that not possible, would like such.
then some little tuning, easy not to much money to 440-450hp or more which means some big money needs to be spend.
Stil not out which model, such later R172 SLK55 or the F1 frontrunner for some years the R171 SLK55 the latter looks a bit better and lighter, but this R172 SLk55 seems to be better and also rare, although the FL R171 from 2008 onwards is the most rare variant.
I guess both are great in the right specs as color combo and options (big breaks and so on)
then you have some tuner variants, like the Kleemann (supercharged version) and Brabus (6.1 versions) and Vath (5.8 and or supercharged) or maybe Startech?
It is definitely not as sharp to drive as the Porsche, but arguably just as involving (in a fundamentally different way, of course!). I'd say its other attributes do put it on an even footing overall though. The interior is *miles* ahead of the 987.2, and as wonderful as that flat six was, the V8 completely dominates the SLK. Fuel consumption is averaging 28-32mpg on a mixed 30-mile commute (it's actually pretty keen to drop to four cylinders in eco mode) but I'm sure that will drop once the weather improves and the roof comes off to enjoy the soundtrack some more!
I really like these SLK55s although I think the older model looks a bit more distinctive. The R172 seems to really hold its money but at £28k you're within touching distance of a late r230 or early R231 SL63, which is a lot more car for the money even if the looks are marmite on the latter.
However, one of these baby AMGs priced closer to £20k (with circa 50-60k miles and a nicer colour) is pretty tempting.
Having owned a 987.2 Boxster S before, I always felt this would be a good move on from that.
Not as good dynamically, but a great engine, a nice cabin and the great combo of having both a coupe and a convertible.
BUT, as ridiculous as it is, I can't ever own one (and a lot of MB from this period) because the vents in the cabin don't line up symmetrically with the centre console.
Absolutely ridiculous, I know... But it drives me mad!
It is definitely not as sharp to drive as the Porsche, but arguably just as involving (in a fundamentally different way, of course!). I'd say its other attributes do put it on an even footing overall though. The interior is *miles* ahead of the 987.2, and as wonderful as that flat six was, the V8 completely dominates the SLK. Fuel consumption is averaging 28-32mpg on a mixed 30-mile commute (it's actually pretty keen to drop to four cylinders in eco mode) but I'm sure that will drop once the weather improves and the roof comes off to enjoy the soundtrack some more!
Having a look at the 2014 brochure, the first buyers can hardly be blamed as the choice is really poor (unless you like grey, in which case the choice is excellent!)
Having a look at the 2014 brochure, the first buyers can hardly be blamed as the choice is really poor (unless you like grey, in which case the choice is excellent!)
and ow, for the manual converters, just looking at this video.
What Do You Need To Manual Swap Your Mercedes Benz E55 AMG (and more)! I guess could also be used for a SLK? or parts of it.
Having owned a 987.2 Boxster S before, I always felt this would be a good move on from that.
Not as good dynamically, but a great engine, a nice cabin and the great combo of having both a coupe and a convertible.
BUT, as ridiculous as it is, I can't ever own one (and a lot of MB from this period) because the vents in the cabin don't line up symmetrically with the centre console.
Absolutely ridiculous, I know... But it drives me mad!
Oh that's horrendous.
Having owned a 987.2 Boxster S before, I always felt this would be a good move on from that.
Not as good dynamically, but a great engine, a nice cabin and the great combo of having both a coupe and a convertible.
BUT, as ridiculous as it is, I can't ever own one (and a lot of MB from this period) because the vents in the cabin don't line up symmetrically with the centre console.
Absolutely ridiculous, I know... But it drives me mad!
Oh that's horrendous.
I could life with it though, especially like this tuner version.
Having owned a 987.2 Boxster S before, I always felt this would be a good move on from that.
Not as good dynamically, but a great engine, a nice cabin and the great combo of having both a coupe and a convertible.
BUT, as ridiculous as it is, I can't ever own one (and a lot of MB from this period) because the vents in the cabin don't line up symmetrically with the centre console.
Absolutely ridiculous, I know... But it drives me mad!
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