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

Thanks, love the detail😀

How's the bore scoring? Have you put a scope in to check?

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?

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

Have you had any time with the M156?

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.

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.

Is the abc more reliable in these later ones?

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👍

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.

I love how when he says twin tubrochargers he says it like he's talking about contraband🤣 i love the biturbo's from mercedes

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

Would you say this engine is reliable I was looking at 2013 GL550 Thanks

Can you make a comparison of the 500 and the 65 you had..

Did you ever change the camshaft

Hey Simon, as a casual viewer of your KZfaq 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 have the m278 on a Mercedes e550 4.7 2014 should i sell or i thought they were bulletproof

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.

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.

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 :)