R-Class (W251) Produced 2006-2013: R320CDI, R350, R420CDI, R500

2006 r350 4matic engine swap

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Old 12-24-2020, 03:55 AM
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2010 R350 4matic, 2006 R350 4matic
2006 r350 4matic engine swap

Hello i have a 2006 r350 4matic. I bought it and then two days later the balance shaft went.

Can anyone tell me if you can put a 2010 r350 engine in my 2006 R350? Its like a “mystery”
as i look at service manaul it looks like exact same mount to tranny and engine mounts.
Would i have to replace the ECU to a 2010?

i am really upset as everyone wants over $6k
to do balance shaft. I found a complete good 2010 R350 engine with 92k miles on it fir $1800. To swap. I found 2006 R350 engine but the serials all come back as balance shaft problem from Mercedes.

any help would be so much appreciated.
Old 12-24-2020, 11:45 AM
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
What is your VIN and what country are you located in? The M272 balance shaft engine seems to have not been an R350 specification, rather it used the M276 3.5L non-balance shaft engine.

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Old 12-24-2020, 03:17 PM
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2010 R350 4matic, 2006 R350 4matic
Vin 4JGCB65E66A004731 California USA

Originally Posted by chassis
What is your VIN and what country are you located in? The M272 balance shaft engine seems to have not been an R350 specification, rather it used the M276 3.5L non-balance shaft engine.

Please fill out your user profile with location, it helps others to help you.
4JGCB65E66A004731
california USA

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Old 12-24-2020, 03:53 PM
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Originally Posted by bbendorf
4JGCB65E66A004731
california USA
By golly you have the 3.5L M272 with balance shaft. Another M272 from an R-Class should be installable.

ECUs are coded to VIN, search this site as this has been discussed. Physical installation of the ECU is easy, but getting it to recognize the engine and function correctly seems like where the work would be.
Old 12-24-2020, 04:07 PM
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2010 R350 4matic, 2006 R350 4matic
R350 4Matic 2006 Engine replacement options

Thank you. Because i am a decorated military Disabled veteran, the DOD frowns upon putting any location info.

As today so many from our own country want to inflict harm on us veterans family's. Its real. Already happened!

My question is why do people say you can only use same year in engine replacement on R350 4Matic? The ECU can be reprogramed, or replaced easy. I own a 2010 and a 2006 r350 4matic. I see no change in wire harness. Tranny same,

The problem is if i swap my 2006 R350 engine with another 2006 R350 engine
people that sell the engines say it says only 2006 engines can swap.

But that year they all had balance shaft issues. It seems to be fixed in 2010 as that years vins and engine serials do not come back at MB site as having balance shaft issues. Some 2008 R350 engine serials do not have balance shaft issues.

Since i am broke, and cant afford a balance shaft repair, i want to find a R350 4Matic engine that is safe to swap so that i dont just put in an engine with same stupid problem again.

Thus i arrive at the big mystery question can you swap a 2006 R350 engine with a 2010 R350 engine? If yes do i replace ECU? Or NO the 2010 engine will not bolt in 2006 R350 because engine mounts, torque converter plates, suspension all different.

you get the jist.

seems logical. I mean a 272 3.5 V6 engine is a 272 3.5 V6 engine! Otherwise there would not be all these cars with balance shaft problem.

I have a mechanic that will swap engines for me. I can afford that.

But if i search internet its like MB paid someone to remove any posts on engine swaps! I get zero hits. Kinda funny. The dealer ripped me off $5400 to tell me after they replaced magnets, harness etc that it was a balance shaft. WTF? I called MB and they sent TB (Technical Bulletin )saying how dealers were not to replace mags and harness in scenario #2 as they would not be paid double work. But its ok to ripoff disabled vets family's on disability income at MB dealerships! Un believable. Any help on engine swap would be great!

Kind Regards
B
Old 12-24-2020, 08:18 PM
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You should be able to swap in any M272 engine. The block is the same, the only difference is in the accessories. If you transfer over the ECU to the replacement engine, it is not going to know the difference.
Old 12-24-2020, 10:26 PM
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Thank you for your service. Is a less expensive vehicle an option?
Old 12-25-2020, 12:39 AM
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2010 R350 4matic, 2006 R350 4matic
Thank you! Merry Cristmas! God Bless

Originally Posted by chassis
Thank you for your service. Is a less expensive vehicle an option?
so if i buy a used 2010 R350 engine it should go in my 2006 R350. I thought how is the ECU going to no the serial of the engine? Is there some module embedded in motor? I would keep my AC unit, steering pump, alternator etc.
the used engine comes complete!

if i put new ecu that comes with 2010 272 then i can see my 2006 main cpu saying serials do not match and then problems. But using my old ECU on 2010 i don’t see problems unless there is some modual embeded in engine that has serial number attached to sensor?
Body and engine mounts look identical.
not sure if torq converter changed but i see no difference.

its $1850 for 2010 R350 272 engine and $2000 for mechanic to swap It my 2006 R350 4matic.

This leaves me with a extra complete engine on my engine stand so i can do balance shaft and oil pump, chain, etc. then i got a spare. So its a win as i own a 2006 R350 4matic , and a 2010 R350 4matic. Technically i should be able to put 2006 272 rebuilt into either vehicle if any of the engines go bad.

beets $6800 for just repairing balance shaft.
and i get months to redu balance shaft and save money for FCPeuro Balance shaft kit and timing chain, oil pump.

has anyone done a swap before with a higher year engine of R350 ? When you buy a new engine it is not 2006 and it comes with heads block, new intake etc. so it seems like it must work.

Why do all the shops that sell engines tell me you have to use fitment guid on there computers?

Ha One guy from NJ said of course it works, just plug it in, if it has different plugs then buy a wire harness for that ECU. He said use old ECU the pins are the same. He said if i use newer ECU it must be programed at dealer so my car will learn new ECU and engine serial number. Then fine. But keeping old ECU with a newer year engine should work fine.

any thoughts would be so helpfull. I can order the 2010 R350 engine tomorrow online then my 16 year old will be happy at Christmas as he saved for 7 years for this car and depressed as it cant be driven until balance shaft repaired.

My Cristmas miracle would be for a 2010 R350 272 complete engine to fit in my 2006 R350 as a swap! Then i have an engine that does not have to have balance shaft replaced again.

Then again there could be something i missed...

we need the R350 because of the legg room and height as my boys ar 6’5 i am 6’6” and need lots of room as my stupid handicap. tried other models but don't fit! Not enough leg room and shoulder room etc.

Thank you again for all your advise and assisting me making a good decision.


Kind Regards
b

Last edited by bbendorf; 12-25-2020 at 12:49 AM.
Old 12-25-2020, 12:46 AM
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2006 R500
Your plan should work. I don't see any of the harness plugs being different. If there are any plugs that are different, the sensors should be able to be swapped over from the old engine.

As I said, you should be able to use any M272 engine. R350, ML350, E350, SLK350, etc. The balance shaft issue is one of the reasons why I focused on looking for an R500.
Old 10-10-2023, 03:52 AM
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2006 r350
I got the same issue. Was it succesfull to swap motor between 2006 and 2010 m272?
thx
Old 10-10-2023, 11:33 AM
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2006 r350
Originally Posted by bbendorf
Hello i have a 2006 r350 4matic. I bought it and then two days later the balance shaft went.

Can anyone tell me if you can put a 2010 r350 engine in my 2006 R350? Its like a “mystery”
as i look at service manaul it looks like exact same mount to tranny and engine mounts.
Would i have to replace the ECU to a 2010?

i am really upset as everyone wants over $6k
to do balance shaft. I found a complete good 2010 R350 engine with 92k miles on it fir $1800. To swap. I found 2006 R350 engine but the serials all come back as balance shaft problem from Mercedes.

any help would be so much appreciated.
I got the same issue. Was it succesfull to swap motor between 2006 and 2010 m272?
thx
Old 11-21-2023, 05:25 AM
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R350
Hello, i read that you can use any of the m272 family engine. but really? what about swapping mine from R350 M272.967 (272hp 350nm compression 10.5:1) to SLK350 M272.969 (305hp 360nm 11.7:1)
thank you

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