Don't know if it is the same tech or even if the new balancer solves the issue, but the bottom line is that there is a new balancer installed that should last as long as the old balancer (38,000 miles) and I should not have to worry about it again for awhile. Contrary to other thoughts on this forum, until they can fix this problem, I am looking at it as a regular maintanence item that needs more attention than spark plugs. My opinion, although personal, is that my 1994 C280 is more reliable than this new stuff that Mercedes is trying to market to us today. While at the dealer they had a new 2004 AMG E-Class for $90,000 that probably still had the harmonic balancer problems we are talking about today. Sorry, but for this price I expect some very real solid engineering that make this vehicle bullet-proof. If not bullet-proof, Mercedes needs to step up to the plate and support their vehicles with uncontested refreshment of parts that are not up to Mercedes perceived quality.

My personal experience reflects that not only that Mercedes needs to address their quality issues, but they need to work on the dealerships that market and support their products. It is getting to be that the dealerships act like any other American brand dealership and do not offer the above and beyond service that has been typical of the past. Yes, this supports the independets who generally offer better service for better prices, but it does nothing for those who buy new and rely upon warranty repairs. In the end, all will lose out because less Mercedes will be sold, the vehicles will be in the scrap-yard at 100,000 miles and the independents will have less vehicles to service.

I expect my 1995 C280 to last reliably until around 180,000 miles. My 2000 ML320 may last reliably unitl around 100,000 miles while I expect the same of my 2003 C230K sport coupe. The bottom line is the manufacturers are all trying to make a vehicle that is reliable to 100,000 miles. After that, it is hard to justify the $75-95/hour that it cost to repair a vehicle today. It is much more efficient to pump these new cars off an automated assembly line than it is to keep them running. My personal opinion is that if you want to drive a Mercedes, it is cheaper to lease them no longer than the new car warranty period and replace them with a new vehicle Mercedes after that.