Mercedes-Benz Forum banner

M273 Balance Shaft Gear

9K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  1994 E420  
#1 · (Edited)
I am considering purchasing a 2011 E550 at some point in the future.

When I last visited my mechanic he had a E350 (I don't know the year, but I think it was a W211 - possibly a W212) on the rack with the engine removed. He had the heads removed and the engine was completely covered with thick, nasty sludge. The owner of the vehicle told my mechanic that he used Mobile 1 and changed it regularly, which I cannot imagine is true with the amount of nasty sludge build-up present in his engine. I've torn down a GM 350 w/ 130K miles that had run most of it's life on Mobil 1 and it was incredibly clean. Be that as it may, my mechanic told me that the Balance Shaft gears were stripped, which is a common, very expensive problem with these engines, which requires the removal of the engine. I told him of my interest in purchasing a 2011 E550 and he said that the V8 has the same Balance Shaft problem.

My internet research has not confirmed this. It seems that the M272 engine had the Balance Shaft issue and the M273 engine has the worn Idler Gear problem, both of which are very expensive to repair.

So what is the real issue with the 2011 E550 M273 engine? If such an expensive issue is likely to crop up, I won't be getting one of these vehicles.
 
#4 ·
The TSB is posted in the sticky of the W211 section. First, A M273 doesn't have a balance shaft! But yes, there were issues with them. Mobil 1 isn't an ester oil anymore- so you can easily exceed drain intervals. Huge slugging issues are more common with the diesel motor(maybe it was?) which has the highest volume of EGR function of any engine.

E550's are nice, but be aware of the cost of owner ship. Ball joints are weak, Engine gear, air suspension. Maintenance is far greater than oil changes on a toyota.


Michael
 
#5 ·
Legodude: Thanks for the information. I read that Mobil 1 changed their formula, which is unfortunate for those of us who have relied on their products for years. I use Mobil 1, 15W50 for my ’94 E420 w/ 228K and I’ve been considering changing to Royal Purple 20W50 when I use up my existing stock of Mobil 1.

It’s seems that all the post ’95 Mercedes vehicles have issues. I’ve been struggling with determining which model to get in the future as I want to avoid any Mercedes vehicle with a high cost of ownership. I’m aware of the air suspension problems, but I read that occasionally these 550s were ordered with conventional suspensions, though I’ve yet to find one.

Any suggestions on what vehicle(s) I should be considering? I’m not a big fan of turbos.