After reading all of the posts, l still bought a car with this problem.
Here is how:
Used car dealer bought car at auction. Had the balancer fault codes. Salesman said if I give him a deposit he would take care of the repair (car has to pass inspection by law).
Car was very clean inside and out and drew me in as I no longer have my E class.
After a week I test drove the car and CEL light was off and according to my MB scanner passed all readiness codes so I bought the car.
Later I checked the oil and it was the dirtiest oil I have ever seen. I changed it immediately.
Doesnt take much to realize no one puts dirty oil back in a car if the engine was taken apart.
The salesman has a skilled former MB tech basically move the cam back in alignment and retensioned the chain.
Light and codes go away.
Now the problem is just disguised for a longer period until the break is catastrophic.
I went all in at at my very trust worthy Indy to repair for 3.5
3.5 K I take it?
That's not bad. We had our ML350 done, and intake manifold, power steering pump and rack,+ AC Compressor, new pullies, tensioners, belt the whole enchilada, + a full detail and smog, and it just purrrrs like a kitten now. Shaft alone woulda been about the same as what you're paying.
It was a big jump, but my lady just loves that truck and wasn't letting go.
Finally found a guy who was competent, was actually THE guy who performed that repair at the dealer and trained by MB before he went rogue and started his own shop. I had him put in new alternator, starter as well, since already at 175K and never replaced. Shoulda had him do the water pump too...I messed up there. Anyway all totaled it was 6 grand, but I mean that's after she basically drove the car for 100K miles doing nothing but changing the oil, so it all catches up to at some point.
That's really fukd the way the dealer screwed you. You gonna sue them?
having heart surgery
while the engine is out of the car, l'm also replacing the water pump, motor mounts including trans mount, drive pullies and belt.
l needed a new oil level sensor so adding that as well.
None of these parts add labor so using OEM parts.
hopeful nothing else comes up as l have already had the swaybar links replaced by the dealer and they happily added the CDC soft key for which I have no changer so that Bluetooth can be added to the MOST ring.
Ah, so opted for a new hamster wheel! God that is sooo sweet.
Dare I ask how much? You never said it is a 2.5 or a 3.5L?
Anyway, more power to you, When it's done it will be like new, and how much is a new C class?
Fuggetaboutit! I actually saved that photo....shiny...new...engine....make the hair bristle on the back of my neck.
Excited for you! I really love the style of the 203 and 211 era over the later models. The 204 looks like a freakin accord,
and while the 205 isn't bad looking, it's built in Alabama, not Germany and used even it's gonna be 20 grand. Keep us posted!
I'm gonna pick up a 211 one of these days, just as long as it's post sensotronic.
An E55 would be awesome but 10 mpg would be dismal.
That long block is brand spanking new. Some bolt holes had to be tapped. l hated puyting the old intake many on but a new one at this point takes me way over the budget while the old one still works.
What was really found in the old engine suggests it had never been touched and the software was some how changed to ignore functions so no codes thrown.
Guess I will need a reflash. l checked with the dealer and they have no way of knowing if the code was changed on these mid 2000 vehicles.
Checked with legal and without proof, it's a hard case to win.
The whole story is meaningless with out a dollar figure on stuff. Its not like everyone knows who you are so, I don't see why the secrets??? Like what was the original cost of the car?
How much for the new engine? How much for the labor? You keep saying your changing this and that so are you doing all the work on it your self? Or is it a shop? I like this thread but just lacks so much information.
The whole story is meaningless with out a dollar figure on stuff. Its not like everyone knows who you are so, I don't see why the secrets??? Like what was the original cost of the car?
How much for the new engine? How much for the labor? You keep saying your changing this and that so are you doing all the work on it your self? Or is it a shop? I like this thread but just lacks so much information.
The reason l havent mentioned price is most would criticize for the spend.
l picked up the car for just over 4K. I was quoted $3.5k for the Balance shaft job.
But... once the engine was taken apart, other damage was pointed out in addition to the balance shaft.
worn out exhaust camshaft adjusters
stretched timing chain
worn out camshaft gear
sludge in timing control valves etc.etc.
This is at a shop that I trust so when the price started going up for MB parts, that $3.5k turned into $7.5 really fast.
For that kind of money, i inquired about a MB remanufactured engine. Price = $5k for the engine and it ended up being factory brand new.
Shop says I'm lucky because usually these engines are just updated cores.
I know I'm not footing the bill, but even with all of your outlays I don't think you should consider this a disaster. You have a premium car with a new motor. The vehicle should give you a minimum of 100,000 miles of service for your investment. Calculate your per mile cost and it will probably be a significantly lower rate than what the first owner paid during his or her ownership. Three years of depreciation alone may have exceeded what you spent.
I had some unexpected expenses on my 2005 C230, but not as big as yours. I paid $4300 for it with 112,000 miles and have spent another $2500 on repairs and upgrades during 14 months/16,000 miles of ownership. I think I'm looking at this the same way as C230 Sport Coup, "When it's done it will be like new, and how much is a new C class?"
The Achilles heal of the 05 C230 is the timing chain and I will probably need to add the cost of replacing that to my list of "investments."
Thanks for sharing your experience and good luck with the car.
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
