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Mercedes SLK, SL and AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz SLK, SLC, SL, SLS and AMG GT Coilovers

Mercedes-Benz SLK, SLC, SL, SLS and AMG GT coilovers differ a lot from car to car, even with the same badge. First we need to know if it's an SLK, an SL, or an AMG with adaptive dampers (shocks the car adjusts itself). We carry thirty-two kits for the SLK and SLC from 1997, the SL from 1994, the SLS AMG and the AMG GT.

Not sure which suspension your car has? Read us the VIN: 1-800-460-9106.

Silver Mercedes-Benz SLK350 roadster lowered on coilovers at a clifftop car park above a bay

Animated illustration. It shows where coilovers sit on a car, not your exact kit. Depending on the car and the kit, coilovers can lean forward or back or stand straight up, and some cars use a separate spring and shock in the rear. Your ride height depends on the kit and how it is set up.

Three checks before ordering a coilover set for an open Mercedes

Which ones apply depends on the model.

AMG or not

KW and Ksport make separate kits for the SLK AMG.

Electronic or adaptive dampers

KW makes separate SLS and AMG GT coupe kits for cars with and without electronic or adaptive dampers; kits for cars with them include a cancellation kit. The AMG GT roadster kit is for cars with Adaptive Suspension.

Notes in the kit name

BC's 2003 to 2012 SL kit says it needs a specific power steering pump.

BC Racing coilovers for Mercedes roadsters

BC for the SLK, SL and GT53

BC Racing makes three series for the Mercedes-Benz SLK, SLC, SL, SLS and AMG GT: BR, DS and RM. Free shipping on BC Racing kits in the continental US. BC makes no R170 SLK or SLS kit.

See all BC Racing coilovers Go to the SL

BC's three series for these cars

Here are the three BC series we sell for these cars.

BC Racing BR coilovers set compression and rebound on one thirty-click knob.

It has the BR knob, plus a digressive piston.

This is BC's upside-down single-tube shock, made for MacPherson struts. It comes on both SLK kits.

Three more brands for these Mercedes

We also carry kits from these brands. Call 1-800-460-9106 to compare.

KW has twelve kits for every model here, split by AMG and by dampers.

Bilstein

Bilstein has eight kits for the SLK, SLC and R129 SL, named by model.

Ksport

Ksport has seven kits for the SLK, SL, SLS AMG and AMG GT.

Three example cars and their kits

2008 SLK350 (R171)

Look at the 6-cylinder kits.

Kits to look at: BC 2005-2011 SLK RWD (Swift Front Only), KW SLK (R171) 6cyl., Bilstein SLK (R171) B12, Without Self-Leveling Suspension, or B14, Standard Suspension, Ksport SLK 280, 350 (R171)

2006 SL500 (R230)

Read the notes in BC's kit name first.

Kits to look at: BC 2003-2012 SL Class RWD (Requires ML55 Power Steering Pump, Aftermarket Sway Bars Recommended), KW SL (R230) all except Black Series, Ksport SL500, SL550, SL55 AMG (R230)

2017 AMG GT S coupe with Adaptive Suspension

KW makes a coilover kit for cars with adaptive dampers.

Kit to look at: KW AMG GT incl. GT S, GT C Coupe with Adaptive Suspension. Ksport's 2015 to 2018 kit name does not say which dampers it is for, so call us.

Every roadster and GT kit we carry

We list the GTs first, then the SL, then each SLK generation. Each card shows the kit's name in our store.

Notes in BC kit names: "Swift Front Only" means the optional Swift spring upgrade is offered for the front springs only on that kit.

AMG GT coupe, roadster and GT53

Code: Not in the kit names

Good to know: KW has AMG GT coupe kits with or without Adaptive Suspension, and a roadster kit with Adaptive Suspension; the kits for adaptive cars include a cancellation kit. Ksport has one AMG GT kit for 2015 to 2018. BC's kit is for the AMG GT53 4-door coupe AWD, in BR.

SLS AMG gullwing

Code: W197 (in KW kit names)

Good to know: KW has SLS AMG kits with or without electronic dampers; the kit for cars with them includes an EDC cancellation kit. Ksport has one SLS AMG kit. BC has no kit.

The SL roadster

Code: R129, R230 (the 2013 to 2020 BC kit name has no code)

Good to know: BC's 2003 to 2012 SL kit includes the SL55 AMG, SL65 and SL500 and says "Requires ML55 Power Steering Pump - Aftermarket Sway Bars Recommended"; read that before ordering. BC also has a 2013 to 2020 SL kit. KW's kit fits the R230 except the Black Series. Ksport's kit is for the SL500, SL550 and SL55 AMG. Bilstein has an R129 SL500 kit (also SL320) without electronic suspension.

SLK and SLC, 2012 to 2020

Code: R172

Good to know: BC's 2012 to 2020 SLK RWD kit comes in BR, DS or RM. KW has separate kits for the SLK (all except AMG), the SLK 55 AMG and the SLC. Bilstein has kits for the SLK 250 (also 2016 SLK 300) and the SLC 300. Ksport's kit is for the SLK 250 and 350.

SLK, 2004 to 2011

Code: R171

Good to know: BC's SLK RWD kit is "Swift Front Only", in BR, DS or RM. KW has separate kits for the 6-cylinder and the SLK 55 AMG. Bilstein has a B12 kit without self-leveling and a B14 kit for standard suspension that also fits the 2010 SLK55 AMG. Ksport has separate kits for the SLK 280/350 and the AMG 8-cylinder.

The first-generation SLK

Code: R170

Good to know: KW's kit fits all R170s, including AMG. Bilstein has kits for the SLK 230 Kompressor and SLK 320, without self-leveling; one kit also fits the SLK32 AMG. Ksport's R170 kit lists the SLK 230 and 320. BC has no kit.

All six models compared

Model	Years	What changes the kit	BC Racing series
AMG GT	2015 to 2021	Adaptive Suspension (KW); two-door or 4-door	BR
SLS AMG	2011 to 2015	Electronic dampers (KW)	No BC kit
SL (R129, R230, 2013 on)	1994 to 2020	Generation; kit notes (BC)	BR, DS
SLK and SLC (R172)	2012 to 2020	AMG or not (KW); model (Bilstein)	BR, DS, RM
SLK (R171)	2004 to 2011	6 or 8 cylinder	BR, DS, RM
SLK (R170)	1997 to 2004	Model (Bilstein)	No BC kit

Before you buy: what SLK and SL owners run into

Here is what SLK and SL owners run into most, from owner forums, recalls and service bulletins, and what it means for your coilover suspension.

Active Body Control failure and the coil swap

R230 SL, 2003 to 2012

R230 owners on MBWorld call Active Body Control failure a matter of when, not if. Many who convert replace the tandem ABC and power steering pump with a single pump, though some keep the tandem pump until it fails. ABC cars have no sway bars. Coilovers alone do not complete the conversion.

Before you install: Source the power steering pump and sway bars before the install, and decide how the ABC warning will be handled: a light module or dealer level reprogramming.

ADS hydraulic suspension on some R129 cars

R129 SL, 1990 to 2002

R129 owners report the ADS hydraulic spheres wearing out with age, about 8 to 10 years per one SL600 owner, and blame worn spheres for a rough ride. Owners who delete ADS fit conventional struts, shocks and springs all round and modify or replace the power steering pump. This kit suits cars without ADS.

Before you install: Check whether the car has ADS before ordering, and if it does, plan the hydraulic system removal and pump work with your installer first.

SLK history

The SLK and its 25-second steel roof

Mercedes-Benz USA's history of its small roadsters says the series SLK was "designated internally as the R170" and launched at the Turin Motor Show in 1996.

1996

Vario-roofIts "fully-lowering steel vario-roof" folded "down into the trunk in just 25 seconds."

Common questions on the power steering pump, AMG and adaptive dampers

What does "Requires ML55 Power Steering Pump" mean on the BC SL kit?

BC puts it in the name of its 2003 to 2012 SL kit, along with "Aftermarket Sway Bars Recommended". Call us before ordering so we can go over both notes for your car.

My SLK is an AMG. Which kits apply?

KW lists separate SLK 55 AMG kits for the R171 and R172, Ksport lists an R171 AMG 8-cylinder kit, and KW's R170 kit includes AMG. Bilstein's R171 B14 kit also fits the 2010 SLK55 AMG.

Does Adaptive Suspension matter on the AMG GT?

It does for KW, which sells coupe kits with and without it and a roadster kit with it. The kits for cars with it include a cancellation kit.

Do you carry coilovers for the Mercedes-Benz SLC?

Yes. KW and Bilstein have SLC kits for 2017 to 2020, and BC's 2012 to 2020 SLK kit fits those years too.

Which BC series fit these cars?

BC sells BR, DS and RM. Both SLK kits come in all three, the SL kits are BR or DS, and the GT53 kit is BR.

What warranty does BC offer?

BC Racing North America currently lists a two-year limited warranty on full kit orders, subject to its warranty terms. The other three brands set separate terms.

Related guides and Mercedes pages

Coilover Kits by CarEvery car we have a page for. Does Your Car Have Adaptive Dampers? Keep Them, Cancel Them or Replace ThemKeep, cancel or replace the electronic dampers on your SLK. AWD, RWD or FWD: Why Drivetrain Changes the Coilover Kit You OrderWhy the drivetrain changes which kit fits your SLK. Comfort and Stance on a Daily Driver: Setting Up Coilovers for BothA comfortable drop on an SLK you drive every day. How to Set Ride Height on CoiloversMeasure and set the drop on your SLK. After You Lower It: Alignment Timing, Driver-Assist Calibration and Headlight AimAlignment, driver-assist and headlight checks once the SLK is lower. Mercedes-Benz CLK and CLSThe coupe-shaped Mercedes. Mercedes-Benz C-ClassIncludes the C63 AMG. How to install coiloversA general guide to the install. The BC Racing rangeEvery BC kit we sell.

Tell us the model and its dampers, and we will match the right Mercedes-Benz coilovers and go over the kit notes with you

Call us weekdays, 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern.

Call 1-800-460-9106