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.
Mercedes V8 family: M113 E43, M113 E50, M113 E55, M119 E42, M119 E50, M119 E60, M156, M157, M176, 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.
Frequently asked questions about the Mercedes M156
How much power does the Mercedes M156 make?
The Mercedes M156 develops 457 - 525 hp and 600 - 630 Nm of torque.
How much oil does the Mercedes M156 take and which one?
Engine oil capacity: 9.0 liters. Recommended oil: 0W-40.
Does the Mercedes M156 have a timing belt or chain?
The Mercedes M156 uses a timing chain.
Is the Mercedes M156 turbocharged?
No, the Mercedes M156 is naturally aspirated.
Does the Mercedes M156 need valve clearance adjustment?
No, the Mercedes M156 has hydraulic lifters, so the valve clearances do not need to be adjusted.
How long does the Mercedes M156 last?
The typical lifespan of the Mercedes M156 is ~250 000 km with proper maintenance.
What is the fuel consumption of the Mercedes M156?
Mercedes E63 AMG 2008: city 22.3, highway 9.8, combined 14.3 L/100 km.
What cars was the Mercedes M156 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 and 3 more (see the full list above).
What are the common problems of the Mercedes M156?
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. All known problems.
