I have thoroughly enjoyed my car. My first MB. (5 series and Saabs prior).
This thing is a tough as nails car for sure and it has been our guide through the toddler years. I am very glad I bought used because my wife, well my wife is a great driver. She is always telling me exactly what to do when we are travelling together down the highway and I am behind the wheel. So she must be a great driver, right? All that free advice?

The parking however leaves a lot to be desired as there are marks all over the poor beast. Battle scars I have come to call them.

Fine. Its her first "larger" car and with our precious bundle of joy along for the ride, well this is why I bought the AWD tank to begin with.

So we have put 70 or 80k miles with no issues. Replaced all the brakes with the proper pads and rotors. A couple sets of decent tires, rear struts (one completely failed) and thermostat. Not too bad for an old used/abused vehicle.

NOW a few days back i get the CEL with codes P0016 and P0017.

MY 2007. 141k. Mobil 1 changes at 8-10k mile intervals. After decoding the VIN I find I am now in the affected range.

--did this range expand btw because i was fully aware of this and checked multiple times before I purchased this car? Oh well.

I hoped to have this car forever. Agreed all the character marks we have accumulated aided that realization but truly its a great vehicle to keep on hand for weather or camping or whatever. Tough luck though, right?

Anyway, going to visit the dealer on Monday the 3rd and I do have a great contact with the GM of the store. I have not used him yet but I will depending on how it goes on Monday. I truly hope we part as friends when all is said and done. Who knows?

SO, please salute to my luck and/or my good spirit through a tough spot as you all prepare for the Holiday festivities and libations ahead.



And yes, to answer your question, Lithium. Lots and lots of Lithium.

 

Please UPDATE YOUR PROFILE in USER CP and also include where you live.

In the profile let us know what 350 you have, 350 gas or 350 CDI, Bluetec.

 

And that visit will be very expensive.

 

Good to see you back!

 

So, the verdict is in. I have a paperweight.

$5700 to repair. Balance shaft and correct the timing. In NC this is truly the kiss of death because with CEL on, you cannot get an inspection and therefore you cannot renew your registration. So your car that runs well and still get s 20+ in the city is a planter if you dont cough up the dough.

The car is barely worth the cost of repair, maybe a little more. Plus, what if I did throw the cash at it and then some other issue happened? I am afraid MBUSA has left a pretty significant and unforgivable mark on me with this. Bad luck, I get it. I've had it. But this is a known issue that they are not standing behind. Whats to stop them from doing it again?

If anyone knows a way to go from here, i would appreciate it. Can you swap the motor? Is there someone out there buying these pieces of junk and keeping rebuilt motors on a shelf somewhere at the ready for families such as mine in search of a cheaper option.

Has anyone bought another MB after having this issue, and if so, where o' where did you find the trust?

 

Yes, it's a huge problem that M/B created by building a defective eng. type that has plagued almost every owner.

Buying a used engine is not the way to go in that you might buy an already defective one or soon to be a defective one.

 

Well, today has been strange. Trying not to get my hopes up but i got a call that one of the service guys wants to buy the car as is. I feel like I successfully circumvented any back door trade attempt and the offer seems pretty straightforward. Cash money.

He offered more than I would expect. It makes me feel pretty good about the car outside of that one failed part. I was that close to being one of the lucky ones I guess.

I suppose he can buy the repair kit and my car and put his time in it and get a great bad weather / off road vehicle to play with for a song.

Damnit! That was my plan!

Anyway, he can have it and if all goes as anticipated at the moment I will wipe my hands clean of MBUSA for good with a few less regret$ than I had yesterday.

Thanks to everyone on the site. I have lurked and benefited from said lurking quite a bit over the last few years.

Good luck to all!

 

I need my head examined.

I sold the car per the last post and bought.. 2010 ML350

I know, I know. We love the car. I found this one on the lot with a few abrasions that need mending but it only has 58k on the clock and recent major service at the dealer.


Black on tan mBtex, also not my fav color combo and this one has quite a few more options than the previous one. I was given "assurances" that the balance shaft issue was resolved and my relationship is pretty solid at the dealer through some outside relationships. I also decoded the VIN myself and found the engine serial out of range.

I am still in disbelief over this decision but the car has just grown on us.


First on the list is some horrible peeling away or discoloration on the passenger door pillar. WTH? And someone has sprayed down the wheels with abrasive cleaner and the lug bolts are corroded.

Wish us luck on round 2!