W204 C class timing chain - which engines most likely affect

[adbett]

Seen a potential car to buy and researching heavily as new to Mercedes ownership

Reading issues with timing chains on petrol W204 cars. It looks like the 4 cylinder M271 engine is the one most affected

Is it all configurations of this engine that are affected or only certain versions? I think there are supercharged/turbocharged and 1.8/1.6 versions.

Wiki lists 4 versions:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M271_e...

If certain versions are potentially less affected than others that would be good to know ;-)

[st4]

OM651 engines - early ones...
Om642's - few cases of chain stretching

[Ian-27xza]

OM651 engines - early ones...
Om642's - few cases of chain stretching

Both of these engines are diesel, the OP was asking about petrol engines.

OM651 - 4pot
OM642 - 6pot

[st4]

Ian-27xza said:

OM651 engines - early ones...
Om642's - few cases of chain stretching

Both of these engines are diesel, the OP was asking about petrol engines.

OM651 - 4pot
OM642 - 6pot

My bad. The later turnp engines are based on the 271 - a local specialist says they do the same. They're not that refined or economical according to them.

The best one is probably the V6 276 but who knows what else goes wrong on them. On paper it gives near 40mpg and over 300bhp. He said he had to do a high pressure fuel pump on one that cost £3k all in. A 272 might have the balancer shaft issue - but if it's been fixed it could be a good bet.

My personal advice for someone looking for a small posh saloon would be to look at the Lexus IS250 and avoid the Mercedes.

Edited by st4 on Thursday 14th February 13:31

[Ian-27xza]

The v6 in the 204 was only offered in the 280 (231hp) and 350 (305hp).

The 280 didn't have balance shaft issues and by the time the 350 was dropped into the C-Class in was the later variant with 305hp and may different internals to the 2004/5/6 272hp variant. The 350 also only attracted the lower VED, not the full phat VED.

In my research for decent 204s, I've not come across timing chain issues on the petrol engines.

My indie MBZ garage calls all the 4 pot diesels 'leakers'.....

[adbett]

this is all helpful :-)

I've yet to buy a car that didn't have risks or problems - I currently own an M3 (plenty to go wrong there!) - but prefer to at least know before I buy rather than getting a horrible surprise afterwards :-o

[bracken78]

I have a 2012 W204 C180 with the 1.8 turbo engine. I've not heard of any chain issues but I am sure some have broken over the years. Ours is close to 70,000 miles and sounds fine. Make sure the gearbox has had an oil change at the right time.