K-A

How much will that cost you?

Rick Cell

Have not discussed who is paying or the cost of the repair.

socketman

I've seen this happen when the tech isnt carefull when put back together. this is the fault of the tech, dont let them tell you different.

Rick Cell

Thats what I figured.

rmajor

This discussion is older, but I am adding to the conversation because 1 year after purchasing my CPO S550, my check engine light came on, thanks to you guys on this forurm, I quickly acted and took it into the dealer. During check in with the MB service rep, I notified him of what I learned from this thread.

Needless to say, he was surprised to learn I had the correct diagnosis and the balance shaft and timing chain sprocket needs to be replaced. I did acknowledge and credit this forum without you guys I could not keep this car running well.

When I pick the car up in a few days I will review the work completed by the dealer, and post all the specifics on what I learned as far as time to complete, parts replaced and cost.

Fortunately, my warranty is still in effect and no out of pocket expense, but not really happy with the quality MB engineering.

dannieboiz

Is yours an 07 as well? If there's enough cars with this problem, wouldn't it be considered as a mfg defect? Isn't there any place to file a complaint regarding this?

rmajor

2007 - S550
Sport package
Odometer - 55,000 (guestimate, maybe a hair over 54,800).

MB Service Rep, indicated it if was out of warranty the cost of repair would be on the owner. However, I agree, this is clearly a design flaw and qualifies as a defect.
Although, I felt I studied my purchase of this vehicle for several months prior to making it through this forum and a few other sources, I felt blindsided by the notion a defect of this nature would not be covered under a TSB with the cost absorbed by Mercedes and not the owner.

This is likely my first and last purchase of an S-Class, this is not to suggest the car is not a great vehicle in many respects, it is however, discouraging and a major turn off to continually repair this vehicle all the time with issues that anyone can see are quality in workmanship issues.

My prior vehicle was a 2006 Cadillac STS, leased for 4 years, without a single quality issue or design flaw. No, it was not as quiet a ride, or as powerful a vehicle, but in the 4 years and 65,000 miles I put on the vehicle, it never spent a day at the dealership for more than basic service items, brakes, tires, oil change, etc... My S550 has seen the dealership in 1 year more times than the caddy did in 4 years. By my count this is the 6th trip to fix a defective item on this vehicle, next month my warrranty expires.

This list is as follows:

1. Front suspension (ball joint/tie rod)
2. Transmission (would lock up in 1 gear, and go into limp home mode, not fun on a freeway)
3. Power sunroof motor failed
4. Air conditioner (foul odor), replaced entire unit and duct work
5. Wiper washer motor failed
6. Balance shaft / Timing chain sprocket

...................
7. To Be Determined

fbracer

Sorry to hear about your problems. Can't offer any advice, sorry. Which dealer did you take it to?

rmajor

Benzl busch Englewood Cliffs

fbracer

Thx

dannieboiz

Man that's some crazy stuff, I'm shopping for an S550 and I guess I'm going to stear clear of the 07. The extra dime on an 08 is probably a good investment in the long run or should I settle for an uglier LS460 and never have to spend time in the service department?

famous550

08.. price diff isn't that much. The Ls460 is very ugly imo

rmajor

I will keep my S-class for another 3 years, and although I have had a few problems, none of the issues have left me stranded on the road fortunately. My wife basically loves the ride and comfort of the vehicle.

We are in a 2011 E350 as a loaner in the meantime and although it has nearly every option the S-class offers, minus the ride, power and horrible cheap seats, it is nearly as quiet too, but the 550 is the car she prefers aesthetics plays big part of our reasoning, the E-class definitely feels like a step down in her opinion, I disagreed with her.

My next vehicle is likely a 750LI also going to be CPO, the ride and handling are superior, aesthetics are probably a little less than exceptional, but the extended warranty program offered by BMW is up to 5 or 6 years versus the 3 year offered by MBUSA and declined since my auto insurance provides mechanical breakdown insurance.

ahmadkshuja

Any idea if this problem also exists in 2007 S600s.

Thanks in advance!

rmajor

1 week later vehicle is still at Benzl-Busch...SA could not give a real date for return of the vehicle. The techs are still trying to get the timing correct between the engine and transmission, (at least that is what I was told), no idea what the total cost is yet. However, I will get the numbers from the SA and post.

E-class is not very comfortable, looks great, has the options but the cheap seats are deal breaker, if there is a better seat option than what I have, then I am sure those fortunate souls are glad to have it.

rmajor

Update: Vehicle returned, SA would not provide numbers on the total cost of the job, but ball parked it 3000.00. Vehicle is going back to Benzl-Busch today, oil leak detected, cause unknown, source unknown (did not care to remove the engine cover), but the burning smell of oil is present and it is smoking slightly from under the hood. Checked garage floor and found small amounts of oil on the floor. Will scan and post the parts list next week.

Rick Cell

Same thing happened when I got my car back oil leaks. Took the car back to a different dealer than the one that did the sprocket and they discovered the head gaskets were leaking caused by the tech that did the previous work. Had to cry to MB Corporate for more good will which they paid again and this time also put in a new chain. Get the car back again and discovered oil was still leaking so they changed the oil pan gasket but it was still leaking. Then they told me that the dip stick tube gasket where it bolts to the engine was leaking they thought one of the techs hit the tube and bent it when working on the car. So far have not seen any sign of oil on the ground. The turn around on this fiasco was approximatley two months. I'm reluctant to put the car on the hoist and pull the lower engine tray as to what I may find. If anyone is looking to buy an 07 S550 that falls in the engine defect category do like Forest Gump and run warranty or not no one needs to put up with all this aggrevation.

rogersdba

Quick question fellas, does this problem affect the 07 CL550's. My vin A004800

rmajor

My vin ends 071536, right in the range reported for M273 engine.

Rick Cell, with your blessing, I copied this from page 1 on from this thread.

Mar 26, 2008
T-B-03.30/09a
Revision: Combination of DTBs, Model 164.186/871, Model 251.165
Equipped with M272 Engine Up to Serial No. 2729..30 468993
or M273 Engine Up to Serial No. 2739..30 088611
Check Engine Light On / Fault Codes FC1200 / FC1208 Stored in ME-SFI Control Unit

rmajor

Update: Oil leak issue corrected, bent O-ring replaced and retested, seals are good. I went on a 500 mile road trip, no problems detected in the last week.

grane

Perhaps your wife should make the buying decisions about cars?

Better keep the S as a spare because the 7 series is the most unreliable car. Or ask for a Range Rover as a loaner so you can be driven completely bonkers!

Your wife seems to have good judgment in cars anyway.

WEBSRFR

I ended up buying an E550 but I have the same engine with this issue so I wanted to report that a few weeks ago my check engine light came on and I had it looked into immediately and sure enough it was the engine gear issue. Thankfully I bought the car CPO and the the whole job was covered under warranty. On the E550 this job cost slightly over $4,000. My dealer ordered the parts and had the car back to me in 3 days. I would have felt robbed to have such a serious issue with the engine when the car is just a few years old if I was not under warranty.

rmajor

@Grane, you may be right, she drives a Honda and it has not seen a single day at the dealer for more than an oil change, which she gets free for the next 5 years.

Chris The Swede

Had this happening to my W221 now....DAMN!!!!!! No warrenty and no GW here...

S1CKE92

so im looking to buy an

2007 mercedes benz s550 base model on tuesday

white on beige color with 141k miles.

the engine serial number is:

273.96130057331

is this car affected by the timing chain sprocket or anything like that? dont want to purchase this car and it turns into a LEMON! or all kind of problems pops up after purchasing it. if someone can help respond asap by monday night at latest i would appreciate. because im flying out from sacramento to purchase the car 9 hours away from home.