While I agree with you RobJP, If the OP has recently bought this vehicle he could be entitled to a refund.

Just been reading that these have failed at as little as 40,000 miles!

I agree it is very shoddy material specification, but at 10 years old good luck getting any joy from MB.

I think the ten year thing isn't as relevant as the low mileage. If MB can't make a part that lasts more than 60k or so miles then its poorly engineered no matter what the age of the car is.

Err that makes so many assumptions about servicing history that it is meaningless.

Any fool can destroy an engine by driving it 2 miles a day every day and never servicing it.

Lots of information on this issue on MBClub UK forum and slkworld.com.

The balance shaft sprocket issue affected the 3.0 and 3.5L V6 petrol engines (280 and 350 models) of all MB cars including E, CLK, SLK plus a few C, ML, SL and S models manufactured between approximately 2004 and 2007.

However, it was a supplier issue of sporadically poor quality softer metal, so nobody knows how many engines are affected. Best guesses on the MB sites are around 5%, so it seems the OP has been very unlucky.

In the highly letigious US, there is a class action running of owners affected. Over here, nothing, but there are instances of MB offering goodwill gestures of paying some of the cost on cars well out of warranty, some 10 years old but with less than 100k miles. The proviso of course, is that the car has remained within the MB dealership network all it's life.

If you get no help from MB, then I agree with others that you should go to an independent MB Specialist with experience of rebuilding engines due to this problem.

RobJP, you usually dish out good, well informed advice and opinion. On this occasion I think you jumped down the OP's throat rather hastily!