@GoldenflyWarrior you in here with us?

I am interested in this car, but sent a message to the seller Saturday inquiring about additional pictures of the undercarriage and the front bumper cover scrapes. Also asked if there would be any issues with driving it about 1000 miles on a road trip home. No reply…

@GoldenflyWarrior I’m located in Phoenix Arizona

Beautiful car, but with dealer transactions I have to pay 9% sales tax in my home state. There’s no taxes collected on a private sale… So it’s past my limit

Is this a transaction with a private seller or will it be a dealer transaction?

@ariotofmyown .....
Firstly, I never implied that this car is suddenly going to become "useless" yet there is a strong probability that there WILL in fact be a balance shaft issue in the future. It's NOT a bit irresponsible to point out the facts on this model cars year's issues which is which its engines numbers are on the 💩list. 
So yes it is certainly an issue to factor in deciding IF making a bid into purchasing decision. The comments here are NOT over emphasizing the issue in an "outsized" manner.... relative to ANY potential serious problem as with a balance shaft which can destroy the timing chain and more....  Do you actually know the failure rate ? 
@SeikoPsycho ... when purchasing a used car the  consumer should always take a stance in Buyer Beware. 
If not for facts on issues been forthcoming the consumer can experience serious problems. The MB mechanics that have posted have certainly pointed out a serious issue that should taken into consideration when purchasing this car. 
I may purchase this car and greatful to be an informed consumer if only minimally learned knowledge issues that are costly in car repairs especially in labor. 
Have a great day all......
Good Luck to the one with the highest bid. 🙏👍😊

@ariotofmyown @GoldenflyWarrior Not sure it's fair to say "buyer beware". While M272's had balancer shaft issues, it's been blown out to being similar to IMS issues with Porsche. On the age and miles, chances are good that this car would have already been affected. Most of the more commonly affected models are 350's and 280's. Probably better to say buyer, be informed. This looks like a nice car as ariotofmyown pointed out- no need to panic yet. GLWTA!

To imply that this car is suddenly going to become useless because of the balance shaft issue is a bit irresponsible, in my opinion.  Its an issue to factor into the purchasing decision, for sure, but the comments here are emphasizing the issue in an outsized manner relative to the problem.  If the failure rate were higher, these panicky comments would make sense, but it simply isnt the case.  Given the percentage of produced engines that actually manifest the balance shaft problem, I don't see preventative repair as a necessary predicate to ownership or an absolute imperative to fix following acquisition. Its certainly good for peace of mind, perhaps... but the percentage of failure is just too small - all things considered.  This is similar to the M156 Head Bolt concern which, personally i feel is similarly too overblown.  I've owned six E63 M156 cars between 2007-2009 and none have ever had head bolt issues.  These cars ranged from very low miles (20k) to 150k+ miles and never once were head bolts a problem.  Frankly, I had more issues with other things like camshaft position sensors, etc. but that's all very manageable stuff.  This example has traveled 43k miles over 15 years without issue...if the balance shaft issue were so deadly, why has this car not been afflicted yet?   Cooler heads should prevail here.  Do your research, don't be spooked by people who spend too much time gossiping on forums and budget for necessary repairs depending on how you will personally use/drive this car if you win it.  Thats all.  Good luck to the seller....this seems like a really nice example. 

I assume the two last bids are aware of this car models issue but they can plan on repairs needed in the future. Pays to do research when buying used cars but if prepared to get costly repairs done then it's fine. 
Buyer Beware. 
I'll call a MB dealership today before placing a bid yet will also get the estimate for cost of repairs parts/labor. 
Have a Great Day everyone!!

@cedestech are you confirming @mtrappy 's  info from MB Service Bulletin regarding this cars engine number listed and not repaired? 
I know the consumer can call a MB dealership to confirm yet apparently we have 2 MB techs able to confirm on this thread. My only question would be what is the average repair cost seen by you both the parts and labor? 
Just gotta figure that added into the cost of this car.......and it still might be worth it. 

@mtrappy with this cars engine number listed it is not about IF yet WHEN this car will have Balance Shaft issues  that will require to immediate attention with repairs.  Parts are not expensive yet rather the labor is costly with Benz.  Still, car can be fine until who knows....according to how much & how often driven.  
Best to be prepared OR just fix the possible issue right away before those balancing shaft issues.  Apparently facts are clear and can be researched. 

@mtrappy MB tech for almost 30 years and you are correct sir... I know you don't need validation but others might. ;)

I don’t want to rain on anyones party here… I just want the buyer to be aware. 

@GoldenflyWarrior I have been a tech at a dealer for 16 years. So my source is straight from Mercedes. According to the Mercedes dealer history (VMI) it looks to be a dealer serviced only car at Mercedes of Tampa. It was in there last July at 41,xxx miles. There is no history of the balance shaft being replaced. According to the service bulletin from MB engine numbers as of 2729xx30 468993 have the updated shaft. The engine number in this vehicle is 2729xx30 399865. This is well before the start of the updated shaft. Unfortunately with this vehicle it is not a matter of if it will need one but rather when will it need it. I have seen them throw the check endings light on at 60k and as much as 180k. 

@Mackdadae  why not just ask the owner? If I were in WPB I would just go see the car yet I'm probably going to make a bid regardless tomorrow when my wired money clears my acct. But the labor cost  to repair balance shaft issues such as with timing chain & sprockets can be very costly. Time to reach the owner before making my bid. Lol.

@mtrappy confirm your source please. 

Do we know if the timing chain and sprockets have been inspected and/or replaced?

@mtrappy I was wondering when someone would bring that up... I wasn't going to be the one to ruin anyones party... LOL. 

This is a beautiful example but unfortunately it does have an engine number that is affected by the balance shaft issues Mercedes was having in 2006-2007….

This is a beautiful 203 car. I’ve loved the lines of these for years. 

@NYCdriver Agreed here- I remember owning one of the later V6 models around this era. It was a great platform. 

@masinos65 does it have an auxiliary input in the glovebox?

I know there's a stigma around these "baby Benzes" but they were so much fun to drive when they came out and so good looking!