Bokaj

Please, please, decode my VIN! Buying, buying my second CLK tomorrow and would sure know what I'm buying..
VIN:
WDB2094561T067642

Need some input on a, from my experience, unusually equipped MY 2006 CLK 350 cabriolet

It has a lot of extras, but I don't know which are factory equipped and which are aftermarket add-ons by previous owner? Just to take an example this one has an extra menu in the APS50 system that "saw" my iPhone in spite of there not being anything extra in the centre armrest box, such as a Parrot or other dongle, just the contact pins for the old Nokia phone (but no cradle). I could press blutooth on the APS 50 and I could see the name of my phone in the screen (but having no pairing code I could not pair it). Impressed by the Harman Kardon system but couldn't find an aux jack in the glove box like in my previous 2007 CLK 320 CDI Coupe with Comand GPS (but obviously no Harman in that one)
Also it had a box with 6 CDs for navigation in different countries but not the one I need, the one from Sweden. I thought post-facelift CLKs had DVD based navigation? The 6 disc changer in the glovebox of course were cd based, I expected that - but I thought the slide in disc above the APS 50 were DVD?

I could maybe if I tried real hard discern some air coming from the ventilated seats, is it supposed to be that weak?, I expected more of a hairblower force.

Another strange thing compared to my "old" coupe (MY 2007) so obviously newer. When I leant back (English?) in this car the electronics insisted on pushing the chair forward. I use a wheelchair and need to be as far back and almost lying on my back to have a lot of space between me and the steering wheel to load the wheelchair but this wouldn't really let me do that. Was my coupe faulty in letting me do that or is it the other way around?

I guess what really sold me on the car were these beautiful 18 inch BBS rims with 35 profile tires, but are that big a size "legal"?

The SRS light was on and I told them I wouldn't buy it before they fixed that - it seems like a usual problem right? Just hope they really fix it and don't do some kind of shortcut if that's possible/usual?

Too many questions - I know... Feel free to answer whatever strikes your fancy, all info I immensely valuable, but the VIN readout would be almost literally invaluable, as in I would pay good money for that if I didn't know from experience you guys are so generous and wouldn't accept money anyhow

Will try to get a video up if that's possible.

Also, and obviously, if anybody has a nav cd for Sweden lying around without any plans to visit up north that would obviously be hugely interesting (or perhaps an image of it so I can burn one myself

Thanks in advance guys and girl

Rudeney

WDB2094561T067642 has M272 engine #274921 which is in the range for potential balance shaft failure.

I am not familiar with non-USA models, but over hear, the COMAND in the MY2005+ facelift unit does use a DVD for NAV that goes into a DVD drive in the COMAND unit itself, behind the screen. The CD changer is only used for music CDs - not NAV. As for Bluetooth, again, I think some non-USA models had different systems, but I also know there are aftermarket solutions (like the one I put in my car - the mCar unit) that install int he dash and emulate the MHI interface.

The ventilated seats do not blow forcefully at all. It will just make you feel a little bit coolish. In fact, for me, it makes my butt feel cool as if I'm sitting in something wet.

Regarding the SRS indicator light, this being a cabriolet, the side airbags are mounted in the seat side bolsters. A common problem is the wiring harness in the seat that gets stretched and creates additional resistance when folded the seat back. If this is the problem (but you need to get SRS system codes pulled to know) it can be fixed with a revised wiring harness or just manipulating the wiring to get some slack in it when the seat is folded.

Bokaj

If it is the wiring harness that needs to be replaced, any idea what that might cost (including work at a merc dealership) ?

Many thanks for making me calm about the "butt-fan".

Regarding the fans in the chairs - beginning to doubt if this I a feature at all. At least for normal people. Feeling like I'm sitting in something wet doesn't really seem that appealing for some reason......

68AMX

I am looking seriously at a 2007 MB C280 VIN WDBRF92H57F841556... I am concerned that this falls pretty close to the Shaft Issue vehicles. I've tried looking up the VIN myself but can't seem to get enough detail. My deposit is good for 3 more days before they return it if I don't purchase. Any quick assistance would be much appreciated.

Rick

Rudeney

WDBRF92H57F841556 has M272 engine #395661, which is in the affected range for potential balance shaft failure.

68AMX

Thanks much! I think I'll hold off on this puppy...

aureolastar

Hi guys,

I only heard about this problem today. Can you guys check if my mercedes r350 2006 falls into the range?
I think it falls into the range, but can someone verify for me?

Also, does anyone know which years of clk 320, 350 and 500 are free of this problem?

Rudeney

All M272 and M273 engines through mid-MY2007 will be in range, so yes, your MY2006 will be, too. Just to verify, your car has M272 engine #181471.

pidaman

Hello Mr. Rodney,

I'm thinking about buying a 2006 c350 with VIN WDBRF56H46F761795. Could you please check and see if it's prone to the balance shaft failure? Thanks!

rossken

It looks like you have been able to help others to identify balance shaft gear issues.Could you please check the Vin on for 2006 clk350 vin # wdbwk56f112534.
Thank you

Rudeney

All M272 and M273 engines up through sometime in the middle of the MY2007 production run will be in the range for potential balance shaft failure. Yours has M272 #199810 which is in the range.

Rudeney

You are missing a few digits in that VIN, but that does not matter - all MY2006's will be "in the range" as the problem was not discovered and corrected until halfway through the MY2007 build.

pidaman

Thank you sir. May have to stay away from this one, even though it's one with a rare 6speed.

darren5tvn

hi my VIN is WDD2040542A023532....COULD SOMEONE PLEASE CHECK AND SEE IF THIS IS IN THE DANGER ZONE FOR BALANCE SHAFT ISSUES.....
thanks very much for your help.....

Rudeney

WDD2040542A023532 is a W204, so no worries there. But just to be thorough, you have M272 engine #663193, which is beyond the problem range.

darren5tvn

Thanks very much, now looking forward to collecting my wife's new car tomorrow......
I bought c280 yesterday.... Got home and collected the kids from the inlaws when I told them what car ide bought that's when they told me that they had just been £3000 to repair their
CLS 350......PANIC!!!
Thanks Rudeney.... Much appreciated
Panic over.....

79Saint

Can someone check my VIN: WDDGF5GB3BR159701 for the camshaft issue. Thanks!

TRMNATD

can somebody please check this vin. Looking at an 06 ML350.

4JGBB86E56A066367

Thanks, Frank

jtmonti

Hello,
Can somebody please check my vin # for balance shaft issue?
I have R350, 2006 vin # WDBTK56G06T070709
TIA
Jerry

Rudeney

Buys, all MY2006's with the M272 V6 or M273 V8 (pretty much the entire MBZ fleet except for AMG engines) WILL BE in the affected range. Prior to MY2006, I believe it is only the new MY2005 SLK350 that came with the M272 engine. MY2007 is the one youy want to check as halfway through production is where the problem was discovered and resolved. SO, If you have a MY2008+, then you are fine. It's just MY2007 you need to check.

jtmonti

I have decided to go ahead and buy a 2006 CLK350 with the dreaded condition... the car has only 16,000 miles and is a bargain at under $17K... body 9 interior 4, but repairable...

I drive about 5K miles per year so I figure I have about 7 years before I hit 50K... synthetic motor oil every 5K miles should get me to 60k... good enough for me...

Thanks for taking the uncertainty out of the decision... now I know.

Thanks again.

Rudeney

Just know that there is no mileage limit on the balance shaft problem - some cars began to show the symptoms (DTCs 1200/1208) after just 10K miles, others have not manifested until north of 100K miles. Of course not all engines fail.

playdoh

Hello. Can someone please tell me if my VIN is effected WDBRF52H96F767470

Thanks!!!

jtmonti

This is good information (although bad news)... makes really think that an extended warranty might make sense... about $3,500 for 5 years...

Rudeney

A MY2006 C230 will be "in the affected range" - and yes, your engine is M272 #218386.