Lot P6790B: 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 Sport

The 2006 SLK350’s biggest headaches are:

1. Balance-shaft / timing-gear wear (M272 engine). Early cars up to engine number 30 689 000 can develop gear wear that throws off cam timing and ruins the engine. Check the engine serial number; if it’s in the affected range, budget ~$3-4 k for updated gears.

2. Vario-roof hydraulics. The pump, cylinders and micro-switches fail regularly—roof stops mid-cycle or leaks. New seals/O-rings sometimes fix it, but a full pump/cylinder job can run $1-2 k.

3. 7-speed 722.9 transmission conductor-plate faults. Symptoms: harsh shifts, limp-home mode. Valve-body/conductor-plate replacement is ~$1 k plus fluid.

4. PSE pump (pneumatic central locking/roof) dies—locks or fuel-flap quit. Used pumps are cheap; new ones ~$400.

5. MAF sensor and thermostat housing leaks—rough idle, CEL, slight oil/coolant weep. Budget a few hundred each.

6. Rear sub-frame corrosion on northern cars; inspect before purchase.

Lesser niggles: peeling interior paint, tail-lamp bulbs, heated-seat elements, and rear-main-seal leaks.

Good news: the car you’re looking at just had major engine service, new tyres, alignment and fluids—so the big-ticket items may already be sorted. Still, verify the engine number against the balance-shaft campaign and ask for roof-function demo before you buy.

Want help finding similar SLKs or need more detail on any of these issues?