Engine Mercedes M156

The 6.3-liter V8 engine Mercedes M156 was produced at a plant in Germany from 2006 to 2015 and was installed on AMG versions of such models as C‑Class, CL‑Class, E‑Class, S‑Class, SL‑Class. There was a version of this engine with a dry sump for sports cars under the symbol M159.

The V8-family includes: M113 E43, M113 E50, M113 E55, M119 E42, M119 E50, M119 E60, M156, M157, M177, M273, M278.

Specifications M156 E63

Production years 2006 – 2015
Displacement, cc 6208
Fuel system injector
Power output, hp 457 – 525
Torque output, Nm 600 – 630
Cylinder block aluminum V8
Block head aluminum 32v
Cylinder bore, mm 102.2
Piston stroke, mm 94.6
Compression ratio 11.3
Features DOHC
Hydraulic lifters yes
Timing drive chain
Phase regulator on all shafts
Turbocharging no
Recommended engine oil 0W-40
Engine oil capacity, liter 9.0
Fuel type petrol
Euro standards EURO 4/5
Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Mercedes E63 AMG 2008)
— city
— highway
— combined
22.3
9.8
14.3
Engine lifespan, km ~250 000
Weight, kg 199

The engine was installed on:

  • Mercedes C-Class W204 in 2007 – 2015;
  • Mercedes CL-Class C216 in 2006 – 2010;
  • Mercedes CLK-Class C209 in 2006 – 2010;
  • Mercedes CLS-Class W219 in 2006 – 2010;
  • Mercedes E-Class W211 in 2006 – 2009; E-Class W212 in 2009 – 2011;
  • Mercedes ML-Class W164 in 2006 – 2010;
  • Mercedes R-Class W251 in 2006 – 2007;
  • Mercedes S-Class W221 in 2006 – 2010;
  • Mercedes SL-Class R230 in 2008 – 2011.

Disadvantages of the Mercedes M156 engine

  • The most well-known problem with these engines is low camshaft life;
  • This even led to a class action lawsuit by the owners, which was rejected;
  • The main culprit for this is considered to be the wedge of the plunger pair in hydraulic compensators;
  • In some cases, the valves disintegrate from the impact and fall directly into the cylinders;
  • Another known weak point here is the short-lived head bolts;
  • Before 2011, units had rotted bolt heads, which led to antifreeze leaks;
  • And problems with rapid wear of camshaft sprockets affect all engines until 2015.

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