Great summary - and a fantastic Cl500 in palladium silver. It's like money in the bank if decently taken care of. The M278 is gorgeous, soft as a feather per default and aggressive like a muscle car if pushed to its limits. One of the last cars where Comfort and Sports mode really give you goose bumps and two cars in one.
Excellent video. Those rattles would annoy me as well. My CL was a 2005. My biggest headache was the suspension woes. The dampener on the oil reservoir went and a low growl noise started. It took MB three months to work out what the noise was. I left the car with them for three months as it was so annoying. Once fixed the car was a pleasure to drive.
Fantastic video! I’m doing an overall review of my W218 CLS 550. Earlier M278’s did have that timing chain tensioner rattle. Although mine is a middle series serial number I still hear what I believe to be the occasional film projector type rattle. I believe it’s those valve timing variators you mentioned as reason #4. Nice S-Class Coupe!!
I have a late cl500, I understand what you mean about the tiny rattles, but no one else notices them. I think some of these smaller rattles are apparent to us CL drivers due to the absence of all the noise/vibration/harshness that you experience on other cars. The turbo wastegate bearing rattle, thankfully mine is ok at present, but that would wind me up if it started.
If you really would like to hear something strange from any engine you probobly will. I just taking those little things as specific for this engine. Just use good oil (LM 5Wx40) and warm up the engine in cold mornings and it will go easy 300-400k
Hey Simon, as a casual viewer of your UA-cam channel, I have some feedback. Take it as you like, but these kinds of videos discussing all the troubles in one car will discourage others from buying it. Furthermore, it gives the brand or in general German cars a bad wrap. It will leave a bad taste in your mouth after a while and once you sell the thing. This is your channel and I’m not telling you how to run it. I personally would prefer scenic driving of the Australian coast and country side. Australia is a country that I’ve been looking at touring at some point in the distant future. Very lovely place. Anyways, I have a 2009 S550 with the AMG sport package. Black on Black. All stock. Highly collectible. Low miles too! DM me if you want to buy it. I’ll ship it from California. You must pay for shipping! 😂 Lol
I’ll pass on the S550 😉 - not trying to rubbish the brand but every car has issues and I’m just highlighting those issues - search any car and you will see the same
I appreciate individuals who give *honest* assessments. I hope he NEVER takes your advice, as *withholding the truth is a cowardly & disdainful path to go down in life.* I'll stick with my current Mercedes which have M113 & M273 engines; cars which I'm not apprehensive to share both the good & the bad on.
Did you replace the vacuum boost control solenoid when replacing the turbos? If it is on its way to "die", it will not close the wastegate internal flap properly (via the vacuum actuator unit ) and our engine proper turbo boost will not occur. CEL may not appear, till real under boost is detected.
We have grease spurting out of that top belt-driven accessory on our M278 (GLS 550). Did you say that's an ABC pump? I'm not sure if it's the fluid that it's pumping that is leaking or the bearings in the pulley, but it's going bad and I need to get a new one.
Hello, which of the 4 causes could be more similar to my case? When I drive and accelerate to the minimum 1000/2500 rpm you hear that noise . Thanks a lot👍
@@mguytv have you ever seen a CL 216 with a fridge? Iv only ever seen one but don't know if that was an option or just someone that knicked it from an s class and installed it. Uv inspired me, God willing I swear my next car will be a CL
Wonder why mercedes only did airmatic and AWD for the 2011-14 CL550 for the USA but did ABC and RWD for other countries. I feel like ABC is way better for sporty driving.
I have a 2014 E-550, not the CL550, in Oregon USA. I ordered it in summer 2013 and received it late in the same year. The engine has been reliable and without rattles. You should keep your car. No car is bulletproof, in any sense of the term, but most of the 4.7 liter M287 engines are very reliable. Remember, any replacement you buy might also have a future engine problem.
Not sure if it’s a great engine with so many issues. Seems like planned obsolescence. A true money pit. Not to mention these were only the rattles. The other issues on this engine would make not want this car at all.
Great summary - and a fantastic Cl500 in palladium silver. It's like money in the bank if decently taken care of. The M278 is gorgeous, soft as a feather per default and aggressive like a muscle car if pushed to its limits. One of the last cars where Comfort and Sports mode really give you goose bumps and two cars in one.
Excellent video. Those rattles would annoy me as well. My CL was a 2005. My biggest headache was the suspension woes. The dampener on the oil reservoir went and a low growl noise started. It took MB three months to work out what the noise was. I left the car with them for three months as it was so annoying. Once fixed the car was a pleasure to drive.
Fantastic video! I’m doing an overall review of my W218 CLS 550. Earlier M278’s did have that timing chain tensioner rattle. Although mine is a middle series serial number I still hear what I believe to be the occasional film projector type rattle. I believe it’s those valve timing variators you mentioned as reason #4. Nice S-Class Coupe!!
Thanks. Very interesting information
I love how when he says twin tubrochargers he says it like he's talking about contraband🤣 i love the biturbo's from mercedes
Thanks, love the detail😀
I have a late cl500, I understand what you mean about the tiny rattles, but no one else notices them. I think some of these smaller rattles are apparent to us CL drivers due to the absence of all the noise/vibration/harshness that you experience on other cars. The turbo wastegate bearing rattle, thankfully mine is ok at present, but that would wind me up if it started.
Yes true - we are starting from a very high baseline!!
If you really would like to hear something strange from any engine you probobly will. I just taking those little things as specific for this engine. Just use good oil (LM 5Wx40) and warm up the engine in cold mornings and it will go easy 300-400k
So many issues with the m278. When running good it really is a great engine. Half the price of the AMG engines family but 80% of the performance
I cant say half....I have vehicle with this engine and one with the 5.5AMG...costs were quite similar.
Nice job.
Anyone know shop time on chain/tensioner r&r?
I would imagine that replacing the cam vvt sprockets would probably be wise at that point?
Hey Simon, as a casual viewer of your UA-cam channel, I have some feedback. Take it as you like, but these kinds of videos discussing all the troubles in one car will discourage others from buying it. Furthermore, it gives the brand or in general German cars a bad wrap. It will leave a bad taste in your mouth after a while and once you sell the thing. This is your channel and I’m not telling you how to run it. I personally would prefer scenic driving of the Australian coast and country side. Australia is a country that I’ve been looking at touring at some point in the distant future. Very lovely place. Anyways, I have a 2009 S550 with the AMG sport package. Black on Black. All stock. Highly collectible. Low miles too! DM me if you want to buy it. I’ll ship it from California. You must pay for shipping! 😂
Lol
I’ll pass on the S550 😉 - not trying to rubbish the brand but every car has issues and I’m just highlighting those issues - search any car and you will see the same
I appreciate individuals who give *honest* assessments. I hope he NEVER takes your advice, as *withholding the truth is a cowardly & disdainful path to go down in life.* I'll stick with my current Mercedes which have M113 & M273 engines; cars which I'm not apprehensive to share both the good & the bad on.
How's the bore scoring? Have you put a scope in to check?
I guess you forgot the high pressure fuel pump, which is a common problem known by Benz producing noise and they can't solve it.
Have you had any time with the M156?
Is the abc more reliable in these later ones?
Did you replace the vacuum boost control solenoid when replacing the turbos? If it is on its way to "die", it will not close the wastegate internal flap properly (via the vacuum actuator unit ) and our engine proper turbo boost will not occur. CEL may not appear, till real under boost is detected.
Yes that was done
We have grease spurting out of that top belt-driven accessory on our M278 (GLS 550). Did you say that's an ABC pump? I'm not sure if it's the fluid that it's pumping that is leaking or the bearings in the pulley, but it's going bad and I need to get a new one.
Bearing can leak grease - ABC fluid is low viscosity
Hello, which of the 4 causes could be more similar to my case? When I drive and accelerate to the minimum 1000/2500 rpm you hear that noise . Thanks a lot👍
Wouldn’t want to try and diagnose - suggest get a mechanic to ride with you and listen. Good luck!
Can you make a comparison of the 500 and the 65 you had..
Yes stay tuned!
@@mguytv have you ever seen a CL 216 with a fridge? Iv only ever seen one but don't know if that was an option or just someone that knicked it from an s class and installed it.
Uv inspired me, God willing I swear my next car will be a CL
Wonder why mercedes only did airmatic and AWD for the 2011-14 CL550 for the USA but did ABC and RWD for other countries. I feel like ABC is way better for sporty driving.
Yes I wonder that myself
Would you say this engine is reliable
I was looking at 2013 GL550
Thanks
I think it is reliable - just listen (and look) for the wastegate rattle on start-up
I have the m278 on a Mercedes e550 4.7 2014 should i sell or i thought they were bulletproof
I have a 2014 E-550, not the CL550, in Oregon USA. I ordered it in summer 2013 and received it late in the same year. The engine has been reliable and without rattles. You should keep your car. No car is bulletproof, in any sense of the term, but most of the 4.7 liter M287 engines are very reliable. Remember, any replacement you buy might also have a future engine problem.
I wouldn’t sell - the engines are great. (No warranty with this statement…!)
Two turbos, timing chain work and a little labor and your better off buying another used MBZ with less mileage.
Not sure if it’s a great engine with so many issues. Seems like planned obsolescence. A true money pit. Not to mention these were only the rattles. The other issues on this engine would make not want this car at all.
A recent report suggested that the cause of rattling for these vehicles were between the ears of the owners. Problem solved, you’re welcome :)
Did you ever change the camshaft
No need - replaced the timing chain guides only