I am looking at an '06 CLK 350 w/approx. 71k miles on it. Overall the car looks flawless. I've read up on the balancer shaft issue and I am not sure if this car is impacted (I've posted the VIN# in another thread though).



What are the community's thoughts on this car and aside from the balancer shaft issue are there any other known problems? I am looking for a reliable commuter car.


Best,
The new guy

A MY2006 is almost certainly in the affected range. Unless you can buy this car at about $5K under trade-in price, I'd pass. It may never have balance shaft issues, but if it does, it will be costly to repair.

Thank you for the input/advise. I posted the VIN on your other thread. Is there a "fix" for this? Assuming there is, I just may ask the dealer if they would be willing to address it as a condition of sale.

Does this issue effect 2005 320 engine's? There is also one of these for sale at a local dealer with 63k miles.

Nope, you'll loose out on a few horsepower going to the m112 v6 in the 320 versus the m272 v6 in the 350, but with proper maintenance the m112 is essentially bulletproof, and they did not suffer from the balance shaft gear issue.

So the dealer (BMW dealer) is saying that Merc will take of the balancer shaft issue during the next service visit. I plan to call the same Merc dealer they called about it.

They mentioned something about a camshaft selenoid open campaign? Does anyone know anything about this?

Honestly, I would stay away from a 2006, even if it were discounted $5K to $8K below market value. From my perspective, after hearing the ordeal two people have gone through, it is just bad news. (Yes, their cars were pristine and looked stunning).

I would get that in writing from the MBZ dealer. This is about 40 hours of labor, requiring that the engine be pulled, and it was not an official factory recall, so if it gets covered, it requires some begging and pleading with MBUSA.

The camshaft solenoids are also a problem on that engine. The parts are about $100 and it would take a DIY mechanic maybe two hours to do the job. Most dealers (over)charge about $600 for the job. It is covered in the same TSB as the balance shaft failure, and it was also not a factory recall, so again, it requires some begging and pleading to get it covered outside of warranty.

Well I called the local Merc dealer to confirm and they told me "nope" they or Merc would not be covering the balancer shaft gear sprocket issue. I am going to focus on a 320 since the feedback on this engine and transmission seems to be positive.

My search continues.....