RealDonn

Would like to buy a CLK 350 (W209) and I have been reading posts on this site. Lots of good info here, for which I thank you.

I'd heard about the 7 speed auto sometimes being problematic and have just read of the Class Action suit over M272 M273 engines; saved the post about checking VIN's.

Can't get the Forum FAQ to load, so any further tips and advice would be very much appreciated. If there is a thread already devoted to this, I'll even stop and ask for directions.

Thanks again, Donn

AndyKatz

I just joined and have been searching for a CLK 350 for the past few weeks. From my limited experience, what they say on the Porsche forums holds true here: get the newest car you can afford.

There are many '08 and '09 350's that are being sold as certified, so I would start there. If you want to spend less (like me), the '05 and up cars are better equipped, and can be had cheaper than the '08-'09 cars.

I'm sure more qualified W209ers will chime in!

Andy

RealDonn

Andy,
I found a W209 CLK Maintenance / Repair / PPI Index at the site below. Pay particular attention to "Balance-Shaft Issues" and check prospective purchases for engine serial number if 2006 and 2007 models until after August of 2007. A poorly made balance shaft gear can necessitate an engine rebuild after about 60,000 miles and there is a class action lawsuit about it. That might explain why some of them are for sale.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w209...ppi-index.html

Rudeney

If you are considering a CLK350 (or CLK550) prior to MY2008, post the VIN here and we can tell you if it has an engine in the range with the balance shaft/timing gear problems. Other than that, the other problems are typical maintenance and the occasional odd part failure (but nothing really chronic). The CLK was actually one of MBZ's most reliable models.

Glyn M Ruck

An engine rebuild is a bit of an exaggeration. Needs new lanchester shaft sprocket & chain which necessitates engine removal. See DTB from Stickies at head of forum. Benz will generally do a goodwill repair below 100K miles.

https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...ssues-dtb.html

AndyKatz

Will Benz USA actually do the balance shaft repair for free if the car has, say, 40k miles?

The engine number on the other car I am considering (made in July '07) is outside the range, from what I read.

Glyn M Ruck

They are erratic with goodwill deals but at 40K I'm pretty sure they will do the job FOC. In SA they replace them free on an ask no questions basis. They have paid for a number of member's cars.

AndyKatz

My luck they would be erratic when MY car needed fixing! At least it's fixable. When the intermediate shaft bearing on a Porsche 996 motor goes, it's curtains for the motor!

Rudeney

Also keep in mind that they won't replace the M272 balance shaft or M273 sprocket just because it falls within the affected range - you actually have to experience the symptoms, specifically DTC's 1200 and 1208. My car had about 33K and was consistently throwing 1200/1208, plus you could hear the timing chain slapping around. It took a few emails and phone calls to MB corporate customer service and a little patience, and it was a done deal.

AndyKatz

Interesting. Did MB ask if you were the original owner - do they care about that? Also, did you bring it to the dealer first, to have them diagnose the issue?

Rudeney

They did ask if I was the original owner and if I bought it from a dealer (answered "no" to both). I had self-diagnosed with SDS. I then talked to my service advisor at the dealer about it who told me they could do the job for under $4K, but he suggested I contact MBZ corporate customer service. When they got involved, they did ask me to take it to the dealer for official diagnosis, which I did. The SA called the next day to tell me that MBZ was covering the repair.

Now, I have a long history with this dealer. I have purchased several cars from them, had many of my cars serviced by them (under warranty, and major things). Also, I worked there many years ago. I don't know if any or all of those things were a factor. The SA did tell me they have had MBZ cover about a dozen of these out of warranty at his shop.