SLK/R171: A dreaded M272 balance shaft question
03-25-2023, 11:51 PM
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A Jeep
A dreaded M272 balance shaft question
Hello all,
Possible new SLK 350 owner here. I know the balance shaft issue has been discussed to death. I did some searching here but didn't find an answer to my question.
How smooth is the M272 at idle?
I looked at two 2005 SLK 350s, both with about 65k miles on the clock. One engine vibrated a little more than the other, but neither was so bad that it would have caught my attention if I didn't know about the balance shaft issue. The cars did not vibrate or shake. There were no unusual mechanical noises. No CEL light. I would not have noticed if I didn't raise the hood and put my hand on the running engine.
So... how smooth is the M272? Slight vibration like most engines? Pure silk?
I'd avoid pre-2009 altogether, but these are both unicorns... manual transmissions. I've decided if they will work on the price then I'm ok with a $4k repair bill somewhere down the road. I just need that to be a year or two, not a week or two.
Possible new SLK 350 owner here. I know the balance shaft issue has been discussed to death. I did some searching here but didn't find an answer to my question.
How smooth is the M272 at idle?
I looked at two 2005 SLK 350s, both with about 65k miles on the clock. One engine vibrated a little more than the other, but neither was so bad that it would have caught my attention if I didn't know about the balance shaft issue. The cars did not vibrate or shake. There were no unusual mechanical noises. No CEL light. I would not have noticed if I didn't raise the hood and put my hand on the running engine.
So... how smooth is the M272? Slight vibration like most engines? Pure silk?
I'd avoid pre-2009 altogether, but these are both unicorns... manual transmissions. I've decided if they will work on the price then I'm ok with a $4k repair bill somewhere down the road. I just need that to be a year or two, not a week or two.
