There were no significant differences in SLK32 AMG model years.

Before the SLR, the SLK32 AMG was the fastest car made by M-B! Known issues are the crankshaft position sensor, intercooler water pump and heated seats. Lower ball joints can also wear and rust can be noticed around the wheelarches and the boot (trunk) handle aperture.

Otherwise, pretty reliable and rather more so than certain SLs, I understand.

​

 

One other known issue is crank pulley separation. It's a two-piece unit with rubber vibration damper between the sections, which tends to separate and degrade. Visual inspection will reveal whether there failure is occurring. It was a recall on 2002 model year but never really fixed as a fair number of cars after 02 still had the problem.

It's not a significant change and is strictly cosmetic, but the individual AMG engine builder's badge was added to the top of the supercharger in 2003.

Chrysler Crossfire is a rebodied SLK320 that began production in 2004. The SRT-6 Crossfire version is the effectively the AMG variant identical to the '32. Chrysler involvement had no impact on AMG as far as I am aware, and former Daimler-Chrysler did not take full ownership of AMG until 2005, after production of the SLK32 had ceased.

 

Good to know, thx for the info. I have already heard about the intercooler pump, that doesn't sound too major of a fix. What's wrong with the heated seats? Is it the elements or something with the switch?
And from what it sounds like, I would be changing all the pullies, crankshaft, and supercharger, camshaft pullies probably. What is typical stage 1 progression for this car? Pullies and a dyno tune/ECU flash? Can you direct me to reputable tuners' websites for this car in the US?

 

Also still looking for a window sticker if anyone has one they can attach. I assume xenons came standard on all AMG?

 

Xenons were part of an option package that included the (much less useful) headlight washing system. Sticker attached.

Eurocharged and NeedsWings both have knowledgeable people and good performance products for our cars. Note that all motor and trans parts for the SRT-6 are interchangeable. And along those lines, you should join the Crossfire SRT-6 forum for excellent info on modifying and maintaining the '32. More SRT-6 owners are into performance modifications and DYI activities than SLK32 owners even though there are about 3 times more SLK32s on the road than SRT-6s.

 

Re: heated seats, element breaks, need to replace it. Aftermarket kits seem the be the preferred way to go as I believe the element is sewn into the seat cover on '32's. I read through a DIY somewhere - if not here then at slkworld.

I've been looking at

SLK32 : Eurocharged C32/SLK AMG Supercharger Pulley

 

Awesome thanks again. So have any of you guys owned or at least driven an SL 500 or 600? Would like to hear your comparison. The SL is a good 900lbs heavier, and as such, will never be as fast. It's more of a comfortable cruiser with some balls when you stomp on it. This SLk32 AMG sounds like a psychotic rocket, especially if you can easily tune to over 400 hp.
These are the cars I've finalized on, but the SLK32 is a good bit harder to find. They are all priced the same, so it will just come down to me fitting I think. I'm 6'1 and 250, played fullback in football, so I really have a tough time with tiny cars. I absolutely did not fit an a Honda S2000, but it looks like the SLk is a decent bit bigger. Any big guys fit in these cars?

 

The stock SLK32 is faster in the 1/4 than either the SL500 or SL600. As far as fitting in the SLK, check out a current thread I put on the R170 forum at SLK World.

 

The '32 is indeed a rocket and handles very well with good rubber. It is also both easier and less expensive to performance tune. That said, I am not aware of anyone achieving 400 HP at the rear wheels using the factory supercharger. The MB 349 HP rating is at the crank (more like 290 at the rear wheels), so it's easy to push it over 400 HP in that respect. My '32 is pretty heavily modded and dynos around 370 HP. Others with similar mods are hitting low 12s in the quarter mile and occasionally into the high 11s with drag slicks.

I'm not a big guy so I can't personally represent driver fit, but a buddy of mine is well over six feet and has driven my car on several 160 mile round trips and he has no problem.

 

6'1" and 250lbs....hmmm....you might not like it.
I'm 5'10" and 200lbs and am looking for SLK230 seats to fit instead of the AMG 32 seats.
The 230 seats are an inch less in thickness and for my mind, more comfortable in that car.
Plus I want to go red inserts...;>)

My friend is 6'2" and 220lbs and he cant ride in my SLk230 as his knees hit up against the glove box.

Not a car made for the larger person.

 

Yeah similar conclusions here. I'm just too big. I didn't fit in the Honda S2000, I have a feeling I won't fit in a Z3M or an SLK. Most likely it'll be an SL500 for me, but I need to try them all on first... I wish I could get the 32AMG motor in an SL body, now that would be awesome. I doubt it would swap in to the engine bay though, you think? The SL320 is an Inline6, the SLK uses a V6.

 

Or you could look at the SL55 - 5.5L SC.
0-60mph similar to SLK32
they only run 11psi boost - so room for improvement there (as are ours).....at the expense of engine life of course. I'm not sure what the max boost recorded has been for the SL55 but for the SLK55/SRT6 we're talking 22-23psi worked up from 14.5 stock. The gains here are quite heady given 8 pots instead of 6

 

Unfortunately any boosted 5.5 motored car is going to be out of budget. That motor with 470-500 hp in the SL55, CL55, E55, all except the CLK55 and the SLK55 which are the naturally aspirated 5.5 motor. All the supercharged 5.5 cars are twice my budget. For example:

SL55:
Cars for Sale: 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG in Houston, TX 77018: Convertible Details - 333691467 - AutoTrader.com

SLK32 AMG:
Cars for Sale: 2002 Mercedes-Benz SLK32 AMG in Sag Harbor, NY 11963: Convertible Details - 341836508 - AutoTrader.com

SL500 R129, prefer the R129 body looks
Cars for Sale: 2001 Mercedes-Benz SL500 in Newfoundland, NJ 07435: Convertible Details - 353336841 - AutoTrader.com


Looking to spend $12k USD on this weekender Benz joyrider. If it breaks I can throw it on jack stands and work on it at my leisure. I still think the SLK32 would be the most fun to drive of all of them. Maybe gastric bypass and lose 80lbs so I can fit? Haha

 

If you're really keen and you "almost fit" - maybe see if you can shed 20 lbs and get some SLK230 seats to put in there.

sorry

 

I will be putting down quite a bit of power in my 32 engine, and will have some dyno numbers in the next couple months. You just have to be ballsy with modding it.

If your fun is to have just a decent cruiser with reliability then theres no need to worry about modding it