CDK1
Member
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2013
- Messages
- 15
- Reaction score
- 8
- Location
- Ashford, Kent, UK.
- Your Mercedes
- Current: S400 Hybrid 2015
I bought a s/h one last year. 2006, 4x4, 6 seats, R350SE A, 60k miles, mainly to avoid taking two cars on family outings. Replacing my beautiful 2003 S-Class.
It is big and wide. Very comfortable, quiet smooth ride, lots of room inside, miles just glide by on the motorway.
Could have done without the tinted rear windows, as a bit of a challenge reverse parking in the dark even with the parktronic. Depends on how hard you drive, but found usually about 18mpg in town and 30mpg on motorway. Looks not bad, but need getting used to.
Then the honeymoon ended:
Recently got the engine management warning light. On and off for a few months; now on all the time. Gave it to Merc for investigation, came back with error codes P0016 and P0017 - "Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction of 'Retarded'." (in some vehicles it shows up as Code 1200 and 1208). Local Merc estimated around £4k to remove engine, investigate and replace effected parts - I won't quote what 'her indoors' said to that! (off the cuff advice from one mechanic was remove the bulb and sell it).
Googled the codes, found Mercedes World forums (in the US), a number of owners with similar problems - looks like problem with timing and worn sprockets on the balance shaft. This is due to substandard materials used in some of their models with this engine. MBUSA have issued an advisory how to repair it and the engine number range where it will appear (ours is in the range). However they have not issued a recall. They have helped some owners with part of the cost but appears they (at least MBUSA) have refused to accept responsibly. So some owners have actually paid the $7K in the US to get it done. There is also a class action suite in the US about it. Appears this is not due to wear and tear - it is due to faulty materials in production, they mention that after the engine range mentioned, the parts were replaced in new vehicles.
The vehicle still drives well and without the warning light one would never know of any problem, though am now worried that continued use may start damaging the valve seats, etc.
I wonder how many UK owners have been effected - as Merc seems to be keeping it quiet; though due to the rarity of the R-Class, our local guys have probably never heard about it. I wonder if it is worth reporting it to the BBC "Watch Dog" consumer program?
Perhaps I should mention this to our local dealer!
Anybody else had a similar problem - not only on the R-Class - its the engine used on various models.
Anybody have any suggestions?
I could link the websites/forums and MB Star advisory I found, but not sure if allowed here.
Any (helpful) comments and advice would be appreciated.
CDK1
It is big and wide. Very comfortable, quiet smooth ride, lots of room inside, miles just glide by on the motorway.
Could have done without the tinted rear windows, as a bit of a challenge reverse parking in the dark even with the parktronic. Depends on how hard you drive, but found usually about 18mpg in town and 30mpg on motorway. Looks not bad, but need getting used to.
Then the honeymoon ended:
Recently got the engine management warning light. On and off for a few months; now on all the time. Gave it to Merc for investigation, came back with error codes P0016 and P0017 - "Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction of 'Retarded'." (in some vehicles it shows up as Code 1200 and 1208). Local Merc estimated around £4k to remove engine, investigate and replace effected parts - I won't quote what 'her indoors' said to that! (off the cuff advice from one mechanic was remove the bulb and sell it).
Googled the codes, found Mercedes World forums (in the US), a number of owners with similar problems - looks like problem with timing and worn sprockets on the balance shaft. This is due to substandard materials used in some of their models with this engine. MBUSA have issued an advisory how to repair it and the engine number range where it will appear (ours is in the range). However they have not issued a recall. They have helped some owners with part of the cost but appears they (at least MBUSA) have refused to accept responsibly. So some owners have actually paid the $7K in the US to get it done. There is also a class action suite in the US about it. Appears this is not due to wear and tear - it is due to faulty materials in production, they mention that after the engine range mentioned, the parts were replaced in new vehicles.
The vehicle still drives well and without the warning light one would never know of any problem, though am now worried that continued use may start damaging the valve seats, etc.
I wonder how many UK owners have been effected - as Merc seems to be keeping it quiet; though due to the rarity of the R-Class, our local guys have probably never heard about it. I wonder if it is worth reporting it to the BBC "Watch Dog" consumer program?
Perhaps I should mention this to our local dealer!
Anybody else had a similar problem - not only on the R-Class - its the engine used on various models.
Anybody have any suggestions?
I could link the websites/forums and MB Star advisory I found, but not sure if allowed here.
Any (helpful) comments and advice would be appreciated.
CDK1