CLS problem

[Voltman]

Please forgive my ignorence but what is this common problem. I've done a quick search & found nothing. Is my Cls one of those likely to be effected with this problem?

 

[developer]

Very sorry to hear this BPS - I'd be mortified if it were me.

At least it's in good hands with a main dealer.

Known problems have known fixes - take heart.

 

[bpsorrel]

That's the big question! Seems that the V6 320 diesel is prone to main crankshaft bearing failure and would seem to effect the earlier engines produced before about 2007/2008. So you're probably OK with a 2008 car!
(I should've stumped up a bit more cash for a facelift! That'll teach me to be mean! )

How common it is I don't know. MB Oxford claimed to my supplying dealer that they'd never heard of it.....

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Seems that the V6 320 diesel is prone to main crankshaft bearing failure

It's happened to 6? people on this forum from what I can tell?

Yet how many V6 CDi owners on here haven't had this problem?

I mean, it's not like we're talking about *ahem* oxidisation....

 

[bpsorrel]

Or how many haven't posted about it. I nearly didn't....

 

[A210AMG]

^ that's true

It winds me up when we have the A class thread and most people jump in to say terrible cars don't touch one, they tip up, fail and cost a fortune...

However turns out that almost all these people have never actually owned one. Its what they have heared and then someone else reads it and posts more having never owned one.

6 cars out of this fourm is nothing I guess, its just mighty unlucky if your one of the 6 people.

 

[bpsorrel]

I guess these problems are not such a catastrophe if MB or a warranty is covering the cost - but all these potential, expensive problems could be a nightmare if the owner has to cop the cost each time! I'm not convinced that these "prestige" cars (even the lovely CLS!) are worth the worry....

 

[davidjpowell]

^ that's true

It winds me up when we have the A class thread and most people jump in to say terrible cars don't touch one, they tip up, fail and cost a fortune...

However turns out that almost all these people have never actually owned one. Its what they have heared and then someone else reads it and posts more having never owned one.

6 cars out of this fourm is nothing I guess, its just mighty unlucky if your one of the 6 people.

It is a very low sample. But then these people come and go. This is the second time I can think of that it's happened to a member who is here 'long term' though, and of the old timers not that many have got V6's.

Sweetpea does not count as he does not keep a car long enough to have a problem!

 

[bpsorrel]

Sweetpea does not count as he does not keep a car long enough to have a problem!

That's clearly the best way with MBs!

 

[davidjpowell]

That's clearly the best way with MBs!

Depends. I have a line of MB's behind me very nicely fixed. My problem is knowing when I've fixed everything vs what the car keeps for next time...

 

[bpsorrel]

Good point.
I've decided this CLS gets one shot. This is it's one and only freebie. Another let down and it's gone. I just can't live with unreliable cars, at any price. Would be good bye to MB as well as 3 out of 4 unreliable cars would be too much!

 

[Voltman]

Good point.
I've decided this CLS gets one shot. This is it's one and only freebie. Another let down and it's gone. I just can't live with unreliable cars, at any price. Would be good bye to MB as well as 3 out of 4 unreliable cars would be too much!

Got to say I love my Cls, been extremeley reliable. Before I got this I'd driven S class's for 13 years, never thought I'd take to this car one bit. I normally change mine every 3 years but think I'lll keep this one a bit longer, just feels that bit special (now droning noise sorted).:bannana:

After saying this I'm now going to get lots of problems!!!!

 

[bpsorrel]

Agreed! CLS is a lovely car! As you say, feels very special and to me at least, is a very good looking car.

I think the facelift ones are the best and wish now I'd spent a bit more and gone for one. But you never know, this one might turn out ok after this and I'll be back to driving with a big grin on my face for a couple more years!

Edit: Just told wifey about it (she's in Russia) and she's of the same view, that it's a car and sometimes cars go wrong. "Give it a chance!!" she said! She loves it too!

 

[ChuckyYeager]

Just get a brand new car on PCP and stop being a cheapo! My brand new Merc on PCP is over 2 years old now and hasnt had anything go wrong. 2 services and brake pads will need changing in 4000miles. :bannana:

 

[st4]

Good point.
I've decided this CLS gets one shot. This is it's one and only freebie. Another let down and it's gone. I just can't live with unreliable cars, at any price. Would be good bye to MB as well as 3 out of 4 unreliable cars would be too much!

CPS bearing is a £3 part but its at the bottom of the engine. Its a huge job so can be over £2000 to fix.

Its relatively common and given the number of V6CDi's on here, with the amount of failings it seems a fair odd to assume its going to happen.

The issue is this though?

What happens if you just leave it, what are the consequences. Presumably you've been driving the car for a fair bit with the fault.

Might be one of those things that once it fails, best to just leave and no bother fixing and selling.

I am pretty sure this will be my last V6 CDi. I cannot bear stuff that doesn't work. I'm fairly confident my next car will be a Mercedes but it won't be a 7g - I really don't like it and now with the faults I am having, I am going off the engine big style, I have an early V6, the oddds of the bearing going aren't in my favour, and I have an early 7g, the odds of valve body replacement aren't in my favour, theres 4 grand there potentially.

I'm thinking in 2 or 3 years going onto a 220cdi and a 5g. Probably in a 204 and pre blue efficiency. I've come to the conclusion that despite another pay rise and new job vs the amount of driving I do, a diesel is still the way to go, and I want a more reliable car.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

CPS bearing is a £3 part but its at the bottom of the engine. Its a huge job so can be over £2000 to fix.

Its relatively common and given the number of V6CDi's on here, with the amount of failings it seems a fair odd to assume its going to happen.

Where does the figure of £2000 come from?

A normal indie may charge £50 per hour, so you're saying that it takes 40 hours to do this job?

 

[bpsorrel]

The issue is this though?

What happens if you just leave it, what are the consequences.

That's exactly what I was wondering, but in the end I felt repair was the best bet. If I sell it on, I'd feel better knowing it's been done and not passing on a potential time bomb. I'm funny like that!

I agree with you. I probably won't buy another V6 diesel after this. There's just too much likelihood of problems for me which skim of the pleasure.

Hopefully this CLS will be fine after this, but I'm not sure I will totally trust it like I did my 211...

 

[st4]

Where does the figure of £2000 come from?

A normal indie may charge £50 per hour, so you're saying that it takes 40 hours to do this job?

Lee - I got a quote of that somewhere IIRC MBS on the other forum reckoned nearly £2000. Crockers post recalls a £3,000 repair. Dealers charge £100ph so its a massive job.

Barry - know what you mean. Leaning towards a 325d myself as heard they don't have swirl flaps etc. A 320d is a money pit unless you prefer the "manifold/flaps removal mod". I'll give MB one more chance after this car, but then it will be a BMW if the sheds successor is anything like this car. Don't like the E60 and F10's still comand silly money.

 

[bpsorrel]

Thing is, this is my 4th MB and so far 2 of the previous ones were money pits. The 211 on the otherhand was excellent (why did I sell!!!!) so I decided to give MB another chance as I really fancied a CLS. But, if this proves to be heading towards being a money pit like the other 2, I won't touch an MB again. Lexus GS maybe? Who knows. I'll just want reliability. I don't ever drive fast enough to make all this worthwhile!

 

[bpsorrel]

Leaning towards a 325d myself as heard they don't have swirl flaps etc. .

Presumably this applies to the 525d as well?
Have to say, I like the previous model 5 series, so if the 525d has a good rep, it could be in with a chance!