The solenoid of the camshaft adjuster is sealed from the factory by nothing more than a plain sealing ring, and over time that starts to leak.
Applies to the engine M273KE55, M278DE46AL.
Repair: from 31 EUR
vinkodex.Mercedes-Benz CL-Class C216 common faults.
2006–2014. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.
M 93 / Attribution
What to watch for
What can go wrong on this car?
The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.
critical2
On the M272 V6 petrol engines sold between 2004 and 2007 (with engine numbers below 2729..30 468993) the balance shaft gear wears out early.
Applies to the engine M273KE55.
expensive6
The check valve is missing from the oil supply of the timing chain tensioner.
Applies to the engine M278DE46AL.
In the Mercedes 7 speed 722.9 automatic (7G-Tronic / 7G-Tronic Plus) the mechatronics unit and the conductor plate (Leiterplatte) age over time: jerking on shifts, delayed engagement, a "Getriebe schützen" message, and fault codes on the gearbox electronics.
Applies to the transmission MB7229.
The oil cooler sits in the V valley between the two cylinder banks, and its seal hardens from the heat.
Applies to the engine M273KE55.
The cylinder wall is formed by a Silitec liner: a silicon-carbide aluminium surface that is hard and conducts heat well.
Applies to the engine M157DE55AL.
The rocker cover gasket goes porous from 130,000 kilometres and oil leaks along the edge of the cover.
Applies to the engine M273KE55.
At a cold start a rattle comes from the top of the engine, and it is loudest when the car has stood for hours.
Applies to the engine M157DE55AL.
3 more faults belong to this generation. On the version page, only the ones that apply stay.
Engines and transmissions in this generation
A fault is often tied to the engine, not to the whole generation. You find the engine code in the registration document.
C216 · 2006–2014
Pick the version.
The fault list opens on the version page.
9 versions
EngineVersionPowerFuel · transmissionBody
4.7 l · 4663 cm³
M278DE46AL · MB7229
CL 500
2010–2014 · CL 500
435 HPpetrol · automaticcoupé4.7 l · 4663 cm³
M278DE46AL · MB7229
CL 500 4Matic
2010–2014 · CL 500 4Matic
435 HPpetrol · automaticcoupé5.5 l · 5461 cm³
M273KE55 · MB7229
CL 500
2006–2010 · CL 500
388 HPpetrol · automaticcoupé5.5 l · 5461 cm³
M273KE55 · MB7229
CL 500 4Matic
2006–2010 · CL 500 4Matic
388 HPpetrol · automaticcoupé5.5 l · 5461 cm³
no engine code
CL 63 AMG
2010–2014 · CL 63 AMG
544 HPpetrol · automaticcoupé5.5 l · 5513 cm³
M275E55AL
CL 600
2006–2010 · CL 600
517 HPpetrol · automaticcoupé6.0 l · 5980 cm³
M275E60AL
CL 65 AMG
2006–2010 · CL 65 AMG
612 HPpetrol · automaticcoupé6.0 l · 5980 cm³
M275E60AL
CL 65 AMG
2010–2014 · CL 65 AMG
630 HPpetrol · automaticcoupé6.2 l · 6208 cm³
M156E63 · MB7229
CL 63 AMG
2006–2010 · CL 63 AMG
525 HPpetrol · automaticcoupé
Neighbouring generations
C216 · 2006–2014
C216 (2006-2014). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.
Previous generation
C215 · 1999–2006This generation
C216 · 2006–2014
Next generation
This is the latest.
Common questions
About this generation
Which years does this page cover?
2006–2014. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.
Does the fault apply to every car like this?
No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.
Is it free?
The fault list is.
Information, not an expert opinion
We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.
- A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
- A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
- You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.