CLS problem

[bpsorrel]

For future knowledge, are there any known faults with the 350 petrol V6?

 

[grober]

Sadly it appears some M272/M273 series engines from 2005-08 can have a balancer shaft problem. Most evidence for this comes from the USA where big petrol engines abound. ML350 3.5L Balance Shaft Failure - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

http://www.motor-talk.de/forum/aktion/Attachment.html?attachmentId=681441

 

[bpsorrel]

So, where to go from here? Does any MB not have issues?

 

[grober]

Difficult one that -----modern engines from all manufacturers [ not just MB to be fair] are so highly stressed nowadays that major problems out of warranty seem to be almost a given. Remember BMW's and Jaguar's early production run alloy block porosity problems and BMW's current premature twin turbocharger failures. Only thing I can recommend is to buy a car with an unstressed engine well into its production run where any design weak points have been weeded out. Such is the pressure for manufacturers to get "product to market" and that meets increasingly stringent emissions regulations one is left wondering just how much long term product testing is left to the first hapless customers.

 

[bpsorrel]

Back to the 220cdi then? That seemed bullet proof. CLK maybe?

 

[Tan]

Not heard of many issues with the CLS 500 or 55 or 63.

 

[st4]

Back to the 220cdi then? That seemed bullet proof. CLK maybe?

They are tough and seem comparatively absent from these pages. Mactech made a good point the greater the volume of engines sold the more development costs it would have seen. There are probably five times more 4 pots than 6 pots sold

 

[grober]

Lets take the 220/250 CDI 2,143/8 engine - a good case in point. It seems to evolved to become the "ubiquitous" diesel engine for a variety MB models in its latest high output format. However it has metamorphosed from a relatively simple engine in its early days with timing gear at the front and a single turbocharger to the current integrated twinturbo/manifold engine with the timing gear at the rear essentially between the engine block and gearbox and increased its output from 150 bhp @4,200 rpm 340Nm @ 2,000rpm in the CLK 220 cdi to a 204 bhp @4,200rpm 500Nm@1,600-1,800 rpm in the latest CLS!
Add to this the necessary?? "delights" of stop start technology-- [those dual mass flywheels are going to love all those engine starts ] regenerative alternators , the move from 5 speed to 7 speed auto transmissions [ more bits to go wrong?] I begin to feel nervous. However its when people start speaking about electronically variable output engine oil pumps to increase engine efficiency I become positively paranoid. In our search for better emissions and fuel economy are we simply making cars too complex with long term reliability problems. Maybe we should be getting rid of all these heavy electrical gismos we all love and start making lighter cars with robust simple engineering again?

 

[bpsorrel]

So, it would seem the '05 to maybe '08 220cdi engines would be the best bet for reliability and durability then. So, another 211 or a CLK, or a move away from MB altogether...

 

[grober]

I reckon "taxi owner-drivers " are a good group to quiz about this. They flog their cars to death over many miles and try to run em on a shoestring over the years. Word of mouth in their community soon picks out the " expensive weakest links" in all the models/makes on the road.

 

[nick mercedes]

So, it would seem the '05 to maybe '08 220cdi engines would be the best bet for reliability and durability then. So, another 211 or a CLK, or a move away from MB altogether...

The later ones have the Delphi injectors than all seem to have failed, not just once either.

 

[A210AMG]

I would think that although I'm not saying its right almost any car if you start looking has issues. Almost any forum you can ask for known problems with this model and that model..

I was on the BMW forum when a 330ci (petrol) and every other thread was about blown turbos on the diesal cars?? Before that a Land rover forum with a TD4 issues gallore..

I have a few friends with Renault scenics and the espace models and the problems and COSTS relating to them are scarry. More so than with a Merc in relation to Value of car V repairs

I think its pathetic that any car never mind a Merc should fail so bad at 50K miles.


It would seem that the pertol cars have less issues / cheaper to buy / generally less miles if buying privately. Then getting less MPG but actaully not spending a load on maintenance probably evens out.

 

[bpsorrel]

Everything's pointing to a Lexus GS300 petrol....

LEXUS GS 300 3.0 SE 2008 2008

Talking to "my" Lexus client today, NO issues with this car. The hybrid, not so good, but the 3 litre petrol, good as gold....

 

[A210AMG]

^ DSLiverpool has a hybrid one and for the £ what a car,

 

[bpsorrel]

Think my mind is made up!! I actually drove a couple from Lexus MK before I chose the CLS and to be honest, for me, it drove just as well as the MB. Not as "heavy" feeling or as sturdy, or indeed as good looking, but well screwed together, excellently equipped (far higher level than the CLS), fast and fun (to me) and most importantly, reliable!!

 

[A210AMG]

reliable!!

^ that bit will be true, shame you cannot just swap bodies like Tamiya remote control cars...

I watch that Custom program on sky and they swap bodies from old American cars to new chassis and running gear . Best of both worlds, great looks but you know its going to work.


Check with DSliverpool of his 'could' be available 'he always looking'

 

[bpsorrel]

I don't want the hybrid - I need some semblance of boot space!

Yes, I agree, a CLS with Lexus 300 "mechanicals" would be great. Now, is that possible......

or maybe if MB learnt how to build cars as well as Lexus/Toyota, that would help too...

Hmmm...

Is it that bad looking?

 

[steve333]

For future knowledge, are there any known faults with the 350 petrol V6?

^ I researched that engine before settling on the 500 Barry(really wanted a v8),couldn't find anything negative on internet searches just good owner feedback.

 

[steve333]

Not heard of many issues with the CLS 500 or 55 or 63.

Just the 7g valve body issue that can affect any 7g mb.

 

[bpsorrel]

That'll be the next problem for my money pit no doubt..