The dreaded M272 Balance Shaft
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
2006 E350
It's surprising to me as an outsider how little mercedes cared about fixing what was obviously poor engineering. I also apologize for post padding. I don't how I can delete posts.
Last edited by mountain man; Jul 19, 2018 at 06:17 PM.
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 163
Likes: 8
From: Temecula, Ca.
06 E350
CARS AND CUSTOMERS.
Good luck Ill never buy another Mercedes after this ordeal.
Last edited by Shack1; Jul 19, 2018 at 06:32 PM.
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 163
Likes: 8
From: Temecula, Ca.
06 E350
MERCEDES IS THE ONLY ONE'S WHO SHOULD BE APOLOGIZING!!!
ILL PROBABLY HAVE THE DREADED SBC PUMP TRIGGER THE HAVE SBC UNIT SERVICED TOO, FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN A
SET FINATE AMOUNT OF SEQUENCES
ILL PROBABLY HAVE THE DREADED SBC PUMP TRIGGER THE HAVE SBC UNIT SERVICED TOO, FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN A
SET FINATE AMOUNT OF SEQUENCES
Last edited by Shack1; Jul 19, 2018 at 06:34 PM.
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 84
Likes: 20
18 GLC300 4M
My 06 E350 has 138K miles and other than diligent routine maintenance and some scheduled replacements everything works perfectly. MB replaced entire fuel system at 110K , as well as transfer case and some other repairs earlier no charge. Seems like the owners of cars in the affected range that never have a balance shaft problem don’t bother to join this forum to complain. Given the number of those vehicles sold in that sequence, plus that the majority of balance shaft failures, according to MB statistics released in the class action were SUV and commercial applications, then the W211 series from late 05 to early 07 that are in the affected range do not all fail.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
2006 E350
My 06 E350 has 138K miles and other than diligent routine maintenance and some scheduled replacements everything works perfectly. MB replaced entire fuel system at 110K , as well as transfer case and some other repairs earlier no charge. Seems like the owners of cars in the affected range that never have a balance shaft problem don’t bother to join this forum to complain. Given the number of those vehicles sold in that sequence, plus that the majority of balance shaft failures, according to MB statistics released in the class action were SUV and commercial applications, then the W211 series from late 05 to early 07 that are in the affected range do not all fail.
However having this balance shaft issue pop up and seeing how pervasive it is and not having any real recourse but to junk the car is a huge pissoff. I could put another 2k into the car but 5-6k is crazy considering all the other maintenance an older car needs. European cars are more expensive to maintain. I'm fine with that. I know I'm beating a dead horse but this was pretty bad engineering and a lousy settlement that benefited the lawyers and not much else.
And I'm curious if you periscoped your shaft recently?
Last edited by mountain man; Jul 20, 2018 at 05:45 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
You basically needed to do the research on the next car you buy. I was also interested in a 2006 initially just because it was face lifted but read the forum on all the problems and was going to get a 2007, but I got tired of checking to see if each one was past the balance shaft problem or not so I ended up with a 2008. Some standard maintenance stuff on it, but no crazy big bills like balance shaft/SBC etc. Biggest expense has probably been tires and bent rims.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 314
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From: Coastal Georgia, USA
2007 E350 Sedan
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 909
Likes: 64
2007 cls550
Reading you post implies that you don’t know what caused the problem. I have a hard time believing that anyone paid 4K yet still didn’t find out what years were affected. Maybe try that search function since the year ranges have been discussed hundreds of times.
But that’s just captain obvious so maybe not.
But that’s just captain obvious so maybe not.
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 163
Likes: 8
From: Temecula, Ca.
06 E350
Reading you post implies that you don’t know what caused the problem. I have a hard time believing that anyone paid 4K yet still didn’t find out what years were affected. Maybe try that search function since the year ranges have been discussed hundreds of times.
But that’s just captain obvious so maybe not.
But that’s just captain obvious so maybe not.
Please tell me what the cut off date was, since you know everything about everything? Capt. Obvious
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 909
Likes: 64
2007 cls550
Geez. Of course I had a car affected. I fixed it myself too and interacted with this community to learn and share information so relax dude. I wasn’t trying to bust your balz, I thought you had a legit question.
The cutoff off date depends on model. For my CLS, which has the same problem but a gear instead of balance shaft, it was around October. You need a vin search to get exact.
The cutoff off date depends on model. For my CLS, which has the same problem but a gear instead of balance shaft, it was around October. You need a vin search to get exact.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
You run the vin through a vin decoder like:
https://www.datamb.com/
And then you see if you're in the affected range or not.
Lots of people get things fixed without knowing what the original problem was. All you have to do is take it to the dealer and tell them to fix it and you get the bill afterwards and hopefully the problem is fixed.
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 163
Likes: 8
From: Temecula, Ca.
06 E350
Geez. Of course I had a car affected. I fixed it myself too and interacted with this community to learn and share information so relax dude. I wasn’t trying to bust your balz, I thought you had a legit question.
The cutoff off date depends on model. For my CLS, which has the same problem but a gear instead of balance shaft, it was around October. You need a vin search to get exact.
The cutoff off date depends on model. For my CLS, which has the same problem but a gear instead of balance shaft, it was around October. You need a vin search to get exact.
I bought the car in 09 with 22k, so if there were reports of this issue they were FEW.
I did plenty of research and tried to get estimates from indys but was turned down. At least I got 15% off as I was well over a year from the tiered settlement date.
I get a little pissed I admit it, when someone says I don't know what caused an obvious wear problem due to bad materials.
Still pissed that MB didnt cover the whole repair and made a car thats already had this and a transmission issue, im only at 48000 and had the transmission go to limp mode,
which I had repaired by shipping the control module and had its electrics repaired. Then I the damn indy shop didnt put the trans gasket in correctly and it leaked.
So I bought a transfer pump and another new gasket and did it myself. NO leaks and working great now. Next issue the Fing SBC brake bs!
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 909
Likes: 64
2007 cls550
Now we are definitely in agreement although mine has 38k miles on it now. I cannot believe that MBZ wouldn’t even give me the parts to do it myself. They covered up a problem and the settlement didn’t help those with low mileage cars who will eventually have the problem.
Thankfully I have an 07 and don’t have the SBC drama. I did have to replace an airbag though.
Thankfully I have an 07 and don’t have the SBC drama. I did have to replace an airbag though.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I bet mine was at a lower mileage than yours. 44700
I bought the car in 09 with 22k, so if there were reports of this issue they were FEW.
I did plenty of research and tried to get estimates from indys but was turned down. At least I got 15% off as I was well over a year from the tiered settlement date.
I get a little pissed I admit it, when someone says I don't know what caused an obvious wear problem due to bad materials.
Still pissed that MB didnt cover the whole repair and made a car thats already had this and a transmission issue, im only at 48000 and had the transmission go to limp mode,
which I had repaired by shipping the control module and had its electrics repaired. Then I the damn indy shop didnt put the trans gasket in correctly and it leaked.
So I bought a transfer pump and another new gasket and did it myself. NO leaks and working great now. Next issue the Fing SBC brake bs!
I bought the car in 09 with 22k, so if there were reports of this issue they were FEW.
I did plenty of research and tried to get estimates from indys but was turned down. At least I got 15% off as I was well over a year from the tiered settlement date.
I get a little pissed I admit it, when someone says I don't know what caused an obvious wear problem due to bad materials.
Still pissed that MB didnt cover the whole repair and made a car thats already had this and a transmission issue, im only at 48000 and had the transmission go to limp mode,
which I had repaired by shipping the control module and had its electrics repaired. Then I the damn indy shop didnt put the trans gasket in correctly and it leaked.
So I bought a transfer pump and another new gasket and did it myself. NO leaks and working great now. Next issue the Fing SBC brake bs!
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 163
Likes: 8
From: Temecula, Ca.
06 E350
