Your 200 has a M271

27195431095850

a 200 has a m271 engine but the balance shaft issue is only for M272 and M273 engines

Balance shaft sprocket M272/M273

Applicable Models (Not Applicable to Model 164.156, 204 or 216.386): Equipped with M272 Engine Up to Serial No. 2729..30 468993 or M273 Engine Up to Serial No. 2739..30 088611. The material for the balance shaft sprocket and the timing chain guide wheel (idler) was modified on engines past the...

www.slkworld.com

 

As Jeff said,balance shaft issue is only M272 and M273. You have an M271,it has no balanceshaft. What these engines suffer off is a wear from the timing chain. It usually wears out well before the 200k km mark. Reason is that because of emission regulations MB used a chain as lightweight as possible. The disadvantage is that it wears more quickly. When it does you usually get an error code accompanied by a check engine light and/or a rattling noise at cold start. But as long as you don't have that there is no reason to worry but rather enjoy your ride.

 

Hi! Congratulation on buying the SLK! Usually M271 engine should be fine at least until it gets 150k km. After that, you might think about changing the timing chain and various components. If your car sat a lot and your don't know the entire back story, maybe is a good sign to change it quicker than 150k milestone. Same oil from 2020 is quite frightening.

The parts are expensive because dealers include the timing sprockets kit which are very expensive. There are interesting alternatives (check this link - http://merc271.com/ ). The cheapest way is to buy only the timing chain and the tensioner and the moment your mechanic opens the engine, inspect the sprockets. If those are fine continue with timing chain replacement and you're good to go. If not, then you have to buy a kit.
Also, keep an eye on the cam adjustor magnets. If those are leaking oil, you have to change them. This is an easy task.

 

Thanks for the replies, guys!
@jbanks15 - that's reassuring
@Sneaky Pete - I don't hear any rattling noise at cold start, however in the last 2 days I heard a discreet creak, I think it's the drive belt (I'm thinking of changing it).
@IVv - thanks alot for the recommendation, I just sent them an e-mail. If the price is decent I will order them and change them anyway. Better safe than sorry . However, then thing is I do not have a mechanic. All the changes I did was through my father in law (Who has a small auto shop - but it's small, he does not change timing belts). But I can order car parts for great discounts

Thanks alot, guys,
Iustin

 

Thanks for the replies, guys!
[...]
@IVv - thanks alot for the recommendation, I just sent them an e-mail. If the price is decent I will order them and change them anyway. Better safe than sorry

Thanks alot, guys,
Iustin

The price is around 500 EUR for both parts. OEM are around 1000 EUR.

 

@IVv - 500 EUR sounds great. I went on 15th of March (a couple of days ago) at Mercedes and they asked for 1432 EUR for both parts....Without labor...All the parts for the timing chain kit were over 2200 EURO. That's a little expensive in my opinion...