CLK 270 CDi performance - Help

[a9who]

3 months ago I bought a CLK and thought I would be the happiest man alive, instead I am the most disappointed.

Acceleration from a standstill is delayed and sluggish then it takes off like a train. However it is impossible to forecast exactly how it is going to behave and consequently it is impossible to anticipate for overtaking or joining the traffic flow.

The dealer says there is nothing wrong with the diagnostics. Previously I had a BMW 530cdi which showed no similar characteristics. All the road tests suggest that the 270 provides a smooth power delivery.

I can't live with the CLK as it presently performs but it will cost me a fortune to change, between a rock and a hard place .

Surely there must be something wrong, can anyone help??

 

[RichardM]

I've never had any problems, the power from mine is instant. The only issue normally is if I put my foot down from about 5-10mph where it doesn't change into first it stays in second so there is quite a hesitation until the revs build up and the turbo kicks in. But I've never had that problem in first gear or when pulling away from being stationary.

 

[andy_k]

just fishing here but what do you have the gearbox selector set to (W or S) if that option is on your box?


Has the gearbox got a memory which has adapted to your (or somebody elses) driving style? If so get the dealer to reset it

HTH

Andy

 

[se97mlm]

That's just what i thought Andy; i bet the gearbox is in C mode not S

A colleague at work did this, he was delighted at one button press!

 

[SimonsMerc]

If the gearbox selector change doesn't help, try adding a tuning box (search the forum for tandem tuning ;-)

-simon

 

[jgevers]

Usual air mass sensor duff?

 

[SportsCoupeRich]

wife driving it in the week, training the 'box to be all leisurely and then you come and hammer it and confuse it?

 

[Flash]

Whats the mileage on it? Engine may possibly need a little "loosening" up possibly???

Go to the stealer and demand to test drive anotehr CLK270 CDI and take it from there with the comparison. If there is a difference in performance then demand DC rectify it/replace car if necessary if they fail to rectify the issue after a few attempts...

 

[fuzzer]

suppose it depends what your used to driving , but ive no complaints with the streight line speed of my c270 cdi

 

[a9who]

Thanks for the suggestions

Gearbox is in 'S' mode and has been for the past 2,500 miles

No one else drives the car

Mileage is 3,500

Previous cars
CLK320
BMW 530cdi
Lexus GS300
190E 2600
190E 2.5 16v
Porche 911 Carerra 2

Understand that it would be more sluggish than most of the above but it dies when you put your foot down then is explodes into life. Compared it with another CLK 270 which was similar but not as bad.

Thought about a perfomance chip but don't understand the warranty and insurance implications.

 

[Flash]

Understand that it would be more sluggish than most of the above but it dies when you put your foot down then is explodes into life. Compared it with another CLK 270 which was similar but not as bad.

From what u describe above it sounds normal - the delay is probably the turbo getting ready to kick in just lke there is a same delay with the kompressor whilst accelerating before that too kicks in. 3500 mile is very low and not enough for the engine to have fully loosened up - what was the mileage on the 270CDI that u test drove in comparison?

I dont think that there is any fault with ur car...

 

[glojo]

My advice would be to go to a Mercedes-Benz dealership and have a test drive of a similar vehicle.

I hate to rub salt into your wounds, but did you try the car before you bought it, and if so, did it perform in a similar fashion?

From your description the vehicle does not appear to be performing as it should.

Good luck,
John

 

[nickmann]

My Dad has an ML 270cdi. He had the same worries when it was new - it was very sluggish "off the line" but better once it got rolling. He got used to giving it a big footfull to get it moving. It is better now it has loosened up.

 

[Shude]

just lke there is a same delay with the kompressor whilst accelerating before that too kicks in.

Except that the kompressor runs from just above idle, unlike the turbos, there is basically no delay and no such thing as supercharger lag.

 

[garystu1965]

Previous cars

BMW 530cdi

??? Errr not sure one of these exists ???

 

[Flash]

Except that the kompressor runs from just above idle, unlike the turbos, there is basically no delay and no such thing as supercharger lag.

I have experienced from my CDI that off the mark it will not be quick BUT After 25MPh the "turbo kicks" in and torque is great for picking up speed...

Accelerate off teh mark in a cDI and all u will do is "redline" it andthe "turbo" will not kick in or give u the advantage until 25mph (ish)