Not sure, but my mate runs a 2005 (I think) manual 350.

Shouting him for you:
@frogfoot

 

Like your thinking. I too would have preferred a manual box, but they seem to be pretty rare. I suppose that back then a seven speed gearbox seemed pretty high spec! The only thing that going back to pre-fl that I can think of is that some of the electrics changed a bit, particularly the In-car entertainment, but if you would want a more up to date head unit, I wouldn't worry too much about that. Most of the face lift changes were cosmetic: front bumper design is a little different, foglights were slightly different, the rear view mirrors were slightly bigger and more square with a "longer" indicator. A different rear end with a "smoked" lens on the rear lights. Inside, the steeringwheel was changed, along with the gear change lever and a lot of the silver buttons were now in black.

That's what was updated, so if you think about it, the pre facelift car won't look that much different. The main giveaway is the front bumper.

As far as the engine is concerned, the face lift models were slightly tweaked to give better fuel efficiency (therefore "going back" you'll have slightly worse fuel efficiency) but the engine on the 350 face lift car got the E35 engine with a red, rather than silver "V", ehich had an incease of 33hp. This engine was not available on pre-facelift models. Facelift cars also had slightly improved steering, although to achieve it MB went back to a mechanical rather than electrical components.

As you can see you don't really lose that much by going back to pre facelift, although if I could find a facelifted 350 with a manual box, I'd say that was the cream of the crop.

 

Thanks for the info, I know everything got a bump in power, so I did wait back in 20080 when i hung out for the facelift, as the 200 was a new one.

I’d like to keep the head unit standard as I like the OE look, I was always pretty happy with the stereo so as long as I can stream music, that will be fine.

There’s a 280 near me for sale, but I think that may be neither one thing nor the other, adds the extra weight over to the 200, without the proper shove that the 350 offers, whilst still getting the 350’s fuel consumption!

 

280 is 300 in fl

Model	Years	Engine (code)	Power, torque at rpm	0–100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration (seconds)	Top Speed	Kerb Weight (Automatic)	Standard Transmission	Optional Transmission
SLK 200 Kompressor	2004–2008	1,796 cc (109.6 cu in) I4 supercharged (M271)	163 PS (120 kW; 161 hp) at 5,500, 240 N⋅m (177 lbf⋅ft) at 3,000-4,000	7.9**	229 km/h (142.3 mph)	1,390 kg (3,064 lb) (1,415 kg (3,120 lb))	6-speed manual	5G-Tronic
SLK 200 Kompressor	2008–2011	1,796 cc (109.6 cu in) I4 supercharged (M271)	184 PS (135 kW; 181 hp) at 5,500, 240 N⋅m (177 lbf⋅ft) at 3,000-4,000	7.6**	230 km/h (142.9 mph)	1,390 kg (3,064 lb) (1,415 kg (3,120 lb))	6-speed manual	5G-Tronic
SLK 280	2005–2008	2,996 cc (182.8 cu in) V6 (M272)	231 PS (170 kW; 228 hp), 300 N⋅m (221 lbf⋅ft)	6.7**	250 km/h (155.3 mph)****	1,440 kg (3,175 lb) (1,460 kg (3,219 lb))	6-speed manual	7G-Tronic
SLK 300	2009–2011	2,996 cc (182.8 cu in) V6 (M272)	231 PS (170 kW; 228 hp), 300 N⋅m (221 lbf⋅ft)	6.7**	250 km/h (155.3 mph)****	1,440 kg (3,175 lb) (1,460 kg (3,219 lb))	6-speed manual	7G-Tronic

 

I have a 280 and it's pretty adequate in the "shove" department! For me, at least. Everything is so controlled on the roads anyway, cameras, cops and the roads are in such disgraceful condition these days I don't think I would benefit....Still, I think condition should play a large part of your search. If you can get a good one, with fsh etc, etc that'd be the one to jump at. Could you really tell the difference of 0-60 in 5.7 or 6.3 seconds? Not sure I could! But still, a proper shove is still a proper shove!!

 

That’s great, I was maybe being a bit biased there.

I’ll look into the 280 as well and yes, I’d rather have a tidy 280 over a grubby 350 👍

 

To stream is to modify.
Some have and probably diys for that.
There is a replacement HU that looks fairly oem and streams plus more.

Wing mirrors.
We have diys to fit Post to pre and have those nicer (IMO) indicators.

By the sound of it, you won't want the diy for fitting the R172 'D' steering wheel, but looks nice in the 171.

 

Thanks, the idea is essentially just to keep it entirely standard, or as close to as possible, what’s the head unit? I could definitely stream music on my old 2009 car, I assume from that the <2008 can’t stream?

 

Head Unit.

On my 55 pre I could, but only because i had an oem ipod connection that with an added connector (not cheap nowadays) would link to an iphone 3gs.
I think you can get a connector for the newer phones.

All of that depends on the car having the right options (Jeff will know the code for it off the top of his head).

I've not bother linking my newer phone, the missus might ring!

Search for streaming:

https://www.slkworld.com/search/1555498/?q=streaming&t=post&c[child_nodes]=1&c[nodes][0]=1&c[showFilter]=visibleOnly&o=relevance

 

Get datacards for cars that you view to confirm options.

https://www.slkworld.com/forums/vehicle-data-card.175

Handy links (I know you had a 171, but no harm)

https://www.slkworld.com/threads/all-service-manuals-car-repair-manuals-for-everyone.593630/unread

SLK Glove box manuals (R170 and R171 and R172)

edited by jbanks15: Owner’s Manuals Mercedes Brochure Archive

www.slkworld.com

Reset Transmission Adaptive Learning

This procedure is all over our forum (and other forums). It does work as I use it occasionally (like yesterday). Posting and making a sticky for new members. What it does? in a nutshell, it resets the ECU/TCU's learned detection of throttle inputs, effectively re-establishing the 0% and 100%...

www.slkworld.com

https://www.slkworld.com/threads/used-vehicle-pickup-checklist-r170-r171-r172-and-buying-a-r171-r172-what-to-look-for-guide.68666/unread

https://www.slkworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-in-corrosion-points-on-your-slk-171-172-204.577931/unread

Balance shaft sprocket M272/M273

Applicable Models (Not Applicable to Model 164.156, 204 or 216.386): Equipped with M272 Engine Up to Serial No. 2729..30 468993 or M273 Engine Up to Serial No. 2739..30 088611. The material for the balance shaft sprocket and the timing chain guide wheel (idler) was modified on engines past the...

www.slkworld.com

 

For a pre-FL 280/350 be aware of possible balance shaft problems. Not not has to be a show stopper but something you should be aware about. See Myk's post,last link.

 

I was manual all the way and really disappointed with the auto box till I had A mode activated. Now I wouldn’t go back.
The bump in power and the way it’s delivered from the 4 to the 6 will be different enough that it doesn’t matter whether you have pre or post FL.
My advice, find someone on the forum near you and try theirs out.

 

The only thing my 07 streams is oil.....just kidding.

No, even though MB kept the names of the head units consistent, e.g. Audio 20, Audio 50 etc, the specs were changed as the technology improved. My Audio 20 unit of 2006/7 vintage definitely never streamed. I do have the UHI interface in the central console which enabled a cradle to be fitted. The cradle was designed to only fit a specific phone. When the phone (3G) was made obsolete by the advent of the 4G network, the phone and cradle became useless. There's nothing like Bluetooth or anything on a head unit of that vintage.

I eventually got a Viseeo non-specific cradle which fitted the MB plug in the console. This gave me a connection between my phone and the HeadUnit without having to place the phone in a cradle (i.e. Bluetooth between the phone and the Viseeo unit) but still no streaming. Eventually overcame that by getting an FM transmitter that plugs into the 12volt unit in the passenger footwell. This would allow me to stream from phone to a specified FM channel on the radio. So all is reversible, and I can still use the steering wheel controls. The downside as far as streaming is concerned is that it's difficult to skip a track as the transmitter is only just in reach!

Later cars had the MMI plug in the glovebox which allowed you to connect your phone physically, but then they came up with a Bluetooth receiver attached to a cable which allowed a wireless tether for your phone....but you're not allowed to drive and use a mobile phone at the same time!

Can of worms!!!

 

I have a thread somewhere about the very simple streaming setup I use. Does the job fine and cost very little

 

Thread, or a reply.

https://www.slkworld.com/threads/what-should-i-do-with-the-6-cd-changer.581946/page-2?post_id=4829665#post-4829665

 

@Squishband just reminded me ...some SLKs came with an Audio 20 which featured an AUX control and input socket in the glove compartment which is handy if you have it... I don't! Additionally, some came with a 6 cd stacker which allows you to play mp3 files (which the CD player in the head unit won't.)

 

They did indeed and that makes things much simpler.

 

You know this is all sounding a lot like “buy a facelift manual 200” and avoid the issues of streaming and balancer failure” 😂

 

By now, most, if not nearly all, balance shaft cars will have shown.
Faulty batch, but mixed with many good parts.

Mileage and age has found the majority.