The dreaded M272 Balance Shaft
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Joined: Jun 2015
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W211
I checked with the local MB dealer and asked about the M272 Balance Shaft. They played dumb with me and they told me they don't about it. Could anyone can check the VIN of my car if this is affected with the above issue. Thank you.
WDBUF56J86A915306
WDBUF56J86A915306
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Could anyone can check the VIN of my car if this is affected with the above issue. Thank you. WDBUF56J86A915306
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Mercedes C 280
Hey all! I recently bought a C 280 from 2005; it has only 30k miles on it, what I first thought would be a good thing. Now I know that I should rather have bought one with a higher mileage with an already renewed balance shaft. My VIN is WDB2030541A835066 which is probably amongst the critical engine numbers.
A German Mercedes spokesman said in a popular magazine that about 1% of the engines were affected. But it seems to be higher than that. Does anyone have a clue what percentage of the engines in questions will eventually be affected? If it were just 20%, like I read above, I won't be too worried. If it is close to a 100%, I would also seriously think about trading mine in.
A German Mercedes spokesman said in a popular magazine that about 1% of the engines were affected. But it seems to be higher than that. Does anyone have a clue what percentage of the engines in questions will eventually be affected? If it were just 20%, like I read above, I won't be too worried. If it is close to a 100%, I would also seriously think about trading mine in.
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Cls500
Newcomer
Hello! Recently, I got my first Mercedes (2006 CLS500). When I brought it in for a maintenance check, I was told my car engine model is M273, which may have a similar balance shaft issue to that of the M272, and will cost $4k-6k to repair. Please check my car's VIN to see if I fall into the affected range.
VIN WDDDJ75X16A043848
Also, I would like to know if this issue has caused any known safety problems on the freeway.
Thank you very much in advance!
VIN WDDDJ75X16A043848
Also, I would like to know if this issue has caused any known safety problems on the freeway.
Thank you very much in advance!
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Joined: Dec 2012
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2006 C230 Sport
I have read a number of post with price quotes between $4-5K. Was this the labor cost only? My dealer just quoted me $8,000 for the part alone and $4,900 for labor. A settlement check would not even cover the taxes on this repair. I am going to try and sell mine and say goodbye to MB FOREVER. My dealership has to be the worst dealership in the world.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I have read a number of post with price quotes between $4-5K. Was this the labor cost only? My dealer just quoted me $8,000 for the part alone and $4,900 for labor. A settlement check would not even cover the taxes on this repair. I am going to try and sell mine and say goodbye to MB FOREVER. My dealership has to be the worst dealership in the world.
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sl320 1995
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Joined: Dec 2012
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2006 C230 Sport
MB Reply
Not only did they not try to steer me to a new car, they would not give me the evaluation and quote of repair cost I paid them to do. In addition, when they put the covers back on the engine they broke a clamp holding a hose on the back fire wall causing all of my coolant to leak out and my engine to overheat. I called the service agent and told him about the over heating and he denied any responsibility for the issue. I took pictures and emailed it to him and never got a response.
The service agent promised to email it to me and never did. I complained to MBUSA and they simply emailed the dealership and asked them to respond to me. The service agent then called me claiming he was unaware I was trying to reach him. When I pointed to his email promise and the fact I sent him pictures of my over heating issue, he claimed he never received them but the emails suddenly appeared in his mailbox days later. He promised to send me the quote I paid for later that day. What I received was a quote on replacing sway bars but not the balance adjuster. I wrote him back telling him to stop playing games and send me the documentation on the balance adjuster quote. I never heard from him or anyone at MB again.
There must be some reason they won't put that $8,000 part quote in writing!!
The service agent promised to email it to me and never did. I complained to MBUSA and they simply emailed the dealership and asked them to respond to me. The service agent then called me claiming he was unaware I was trying to reach him. When I pointed to his email promise and the fact I sent him pictures of my over heating issue, he claimed he never received them but the emails suddenly appeared in his mailbox days later. He promised to send me the quote I paid for later that day. What I received was a quote on replacing sway bars but not the balance adjuster. I wrote him back telling him to stop playing games and send me the documentation on the balance adjuster quote. I never heard from him or anyone at MB again.
There must be some reason they won't put that $8,000 part quote in writing!!
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Joined: Jun 2014
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From: TUSTIN, CA
06'C280-4MATIC,03'C240-WAGON
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M272_engine
M272 engines that were sold between 2004[1][2] and 2008 with engine serial numbers below 2729..30 468993 often show early wear of the balance shaft gears, requiring extensive repairs at a retail cost of over $4000.[3][4] These complaints led to a class action lawsuit against Mercedes Benz (Greg Suddreth and Paul Dunton v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC), which alleged the M272 engines are equipped with defective balance shafts gears which "wear out prematurely, excessively and without warning, purportedly causing the vehicles to malfunction, the check engine light to illuminate and the vehicle to misfire and/or stop driving." [5] The suit further alleged that Mercedes knew of this problem, sending out repair bulletins on how to address this issue and ultimately changing the balance shaft gears to avoid this problem. This suit was ultimately dismissed with the judge agreeing with Mercedes that because the gears fail at 60 -80K miles and outside of the warranty period, Mercedes is not legally responsible for these problems.[6]
(( However, a second class action lawsuit was filed in October 2012 in Northern California,[7] covering Mercedes Benz models manufactured between 2005 and 2007. A preliminary settlement was reached on April 8, 2015,[8] which would see owners compensated for up to 70% of the cost of the repair. The settlement terms are expected to be ratified in August 2015. ))
M272 engines that were sold between 2004[1][2] and 2008 with engine serial numbers below 2729..30 468993 often show early wear of the balance shaft gears, requiring extensive repairs at a retail cost of over $4000.[3][4] These complaints led to a class action lawsuit against Mercedes Benz (Greg Suddreth and Paul Dunton v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC), which alleged the M272 engines are equipped with defective balance shafts gears which "wear out prematurely, excessively and without warning, purportedly causing the vehicles to malfunction, the check engine light to illuminate and the vehicle to misfire and/or stop driving." [5] The suit further alleged that Mercedes knew of this problem, sending out repair bulletins on how to address this issue and ultimately changing the balance shaft gears to avoid this problem. This suit was ultimately dismissed with the judge agreeing with Mercedes that because the gears fail at 60 -80K miles and outside of the warranty period, Mercedes is not legally responsible for these problems.[6]
(( However, a second class action lawsuit was filed in October 2012 in Northern California,[7] covering Mercedes Benz models manufactured between 2005 and 2007. A preliminary settlement was reached on April 8, 2015,[8] which would see owners compensated for up to 70% of the cost of the repair. The settlement terms are expected to be ratified in August 2015. ))
Last edited by datlrac; Jul 22, 2015 at 05:19 PM.
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MB350
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Joined: Aug 2015
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MB SLK 350 year 2006
M272 engine - balance shaft failure
class action lawsuit was filed in October 2012 in Northern California,[7] covering Mercedes Benz models manufactured between 2005 and 2007. A preliminary settlement was reached on April 8, 2015,[8] which would see owners compensated for up to 70% of the cost of the repair. The settlement terms are expected to be ratified in August 2015
Does anyone know how to follow up on this? I have a 2006 MB SLK 350 - 60 Km - replaced the balance shaft at 50,000 KM at a cost of $4500 and now they tell me the engine is shot
I can't believe Mercedes can get away with this; does anyone know how you follow up on the class action suit in California?
Does anyone know how to follow up on this? I have a 2006 MB SLK 350 - 60 Km - replaced the balance shaft at 50,000 KM at a cost of $4500 and now they tell me the engine is shot
I can't believe Mercedes can get away with this; does anyone know how you follow up on the class action suit in California?
