Any year safe m272 engine

[rongagin]

Never had a Mercedes and I am trying to learn about my intended purchase of a SLK 350 or maybe 280. The engines seem to have a reputation for timing chain problems, the sprockets seem to wear? However I read that after 2007 Mercedes had cured this problem.
So my questions are.
Has the timing chain problem gone after 2007
Is the timing chain a preventative maintenance, that is to say, change it and tensioners before a problem occurs say at 80k miles?
Lastly any other top tips for the buying of an SLK V6 and is the 200 184 with a pulley change, over 200 bhp I believe, a viable option?
Thanks

[Ian-27xza]

The problem with some of these engines is the balance shaft, not the timing chains. Given this, Google is your friend and there is a list of engine numbers that are affected.

Basically upto around 2006 are the affected engines, if the internet is correct.... So, this is worth a look into.

My MBZ indie (MBS Mercedes, Southampton) have a proven fix for this.

The other factor is that the unaffected engines typically fall into the post-April 2006 high tax zone. Then, around 2008/09 the r171 had a facelift and the engine had a significant update, with many internals replaced and power raised from 272hp to 305hp. These fall into the lower tax zone but the purchase cost is higher. So, might be worth running a quick TCO, if budget is important to you.

I've not driven a 4-pot SLK r171 but I'd imagine it would be a rather underwhelming experience, both viscerally and aurally.

FWIW, I'd do the research, buy a 350 with eyes wide open, find an unaffected one and go for it!

[rongagin]

Thank you for the response.
Looks like the 2009 model is the best of both worlds, higher power with lower tax. Hopefully with a more reliable engine?
Higher cost but I presume higher value come resale?

[AREA]

M272 issue is down to balance shaft gear wearing.

Quickly looking through my notes on this, from engine number 2729..30 468993 part was improved.


Useful article here: http://www.mercedesmedic.com/check-my-mercedes-ben...

[timbo999]

The R172 SLK 350 is a bloody lovely car with a brilliant engine... just don't buy a red (Fire Opal) one!

[rongagin]

timbo999 said:

The R172 SLK 350 is a bloody lovely car with a brilliant engine... just don't buy a red (Fire Opal) one!

Haha why?

[rongagin]

AREA said:

M272 issue is down to balance shaft gear wearing.

Quickly looking through my notes on this, from engine number 2729..30 468993 part was improved.


Useful article here: http://www.mercedesmedic.com/check-my-mercedes-ben...

Thank you, does that equate to a year. If I am looking at a car which is miles away how do I match to your engine numbers?

[AREA]

rongagin said:

AREA said:

M272 issue is down to balance shaft gear wearing.

Quickly looking through my notes on this, from engine number 2729..30 468993 part was improved.


Useful article here: http://www.mercedesmedic.com/check-my-mercedes-ben...

Thank you, does that equate to a year. If I am looking at a car which is miles away how do I match to your engine numbers?

You need to ask the seller for the VIN for the car and use one of the VIN links within the article to get a report that will show the engine number (and all the other options spec’d with the car).

[rongagin]

Thank you

[timbo999]

rongagin said:

timbo999 said:

The R172 SLK 350 is a bloody lovely car with a brilliant engine... just don't buy a red (Fire Opal) one!

Haha why?

There are serious problems with Fire Opal paint on many MBs but specifically on '13/'14/'15 SLKs - the paint blisters and a lot of them have been re-sprayed as mine has. It was done under warranty and is a fine job, but if I'd known of the issue when I bought it I'd have bought the silver one I also looked at.

[mikal83]

I am looking at a 350 engine number 30 009894 a 272, 2005 and 96k on the clock, full mb history and no known issues?? Should I be worried about the balancer shaft problem??

[tobinen]

Who knows? However, it's lower than the one posted above (i.e. in the range affected) so perhaps some preventative maintenance might be in order? Or perhaps nothing might arise.

[rongagin]

I’m the OP, in the end I went for a 2009 facelift 350. It ticked a lot of boxes like 305bhp, lower tax (over £200 cheaper) and supposedly 650 changes/upgrades according to MB. The issues like the timing chain shaft ‘should’ not be a problem.
I am on a couple of slk forums and the r171 especially it seems of 2005/2006 years suffer badly with subframe rusting. This part is £700+ and takes another £300-500 to fit. So check very carefully, they rust right through and literally can split in two. Later cars or earlier seems better.

[mikal83]

rongagin said:

I’m the OP, in the end I went for a 2009 facelift 350. It ticked a lot of boxes like 305bhp, lower tax (over £200 cheaper) and supposedly 650 changes/upgrades according to MB. The issues like the timing chain shaft ‘should’ not be a problem.
I am on a couple of slk forums and the r171 especially it seems of 2005/2006 years suffer badly with subframe rusting. This part is £700+ and takes another £300-500 to fit. So check very carefully, they rust right through and literally can split in two. Later cars or earlier seems better.

Which subframe

[rongagin]

mikal83 said:

Which subframe

The rear subframe which is fairly substantial but can rust very badly.