Mercedes M119 E42
One of the most reliable engines in its class rarely worries owners.
Mercedes-Benz CL-Class engines
The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is a series of German full-size luxury cars produced between 1996 and 2014. the manufacturing company Mercedes-Benz. The name of the series comes from the German phrase Coupé Luxusklasse, which means “luxury coupe”. In total, 3 generations were released – C140, C215 and C216. The latest generation CL 65 AMG is one of the most powerful in the series and the most expensive in the manufacturer’s lineup. The car was assembled in the USA and Europe.
The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class was offered with 12 engines between 1991 and 2019 (12 petrol). Displacement ranges from 4.2 to 7.3 liters, power output from 272 to 670 hp. All of them use a timing chain. 4 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Mercedes M119 E50 (about 450,000 km).
Mercedes-Benz CL-Class engines by generation
| Engine | Years | Volume | Power | Fuel | Timing | Oil | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz CL-Class C140 1991–1999 | |||||||
| Mercedes M120 | 1991–1998 | 6.0–7.3 L V12 | 394–525 hp | petrol | chain | 9.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| Mercedes M119 E50 | 1992–1999 | 5.0 L V8 | 320 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | ~450,000 km |
| Mercedes M119 E42 | 1992–1999 | 4.2 L V8 | 272–286 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~400,000 km |
| Mercedes-Benz CL-Class C215 1998–2006 | |||||||
| Mercedes M113 E50 | 1998–2006 | 5.0 L V8 | 296–306 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | ~350,000 km |
| Mercedes M137 | 1999–2002 | 5.8–6.3 L V12 | 367–444 hp | petrol | chain | 9 L | ~300,000 km |
| Mercedes M275 | 2002–2006 | 5.5–6.0 L V12 | 500–670 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 9.5 L | ~280,000 km |
| Mercedes-Benz CL-Class 1999–2008 | |||||||
| Mercedes M113 E43 | 1999–2008 | 4.3 L V8 | 272–306 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | ~300,000 km |
| Mercedes-Benz CL-Class C216 2006–2014 | |||||||
| Mercedes M273 | 2006–2010 | 4.7–5.5 L V8 | 340–388 hp | petrol | chain | 8.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| Mercedes M275 | 2006–2013 | 5.5–6.0 L V12 | 500–670 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 9.5 L | ~280,000 km |
| Mercedes M156 | 2006–2010 | 6.2 L V8 | 457–525 hp | petrol | chain | 9 L | ~250,000 km |
| Mercedes M278 DE46 | 2010–2014 | 4.7 L V8 | 367–455 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 8.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| Mercedes M157 DE55 | 2010–2014 | 5.5 L V8 | 525–585 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 8.5 L | ~250,000 km |
| Mercedes-Benz CL-Class C217 2014–2019 | |||||||
| Mercedes M279 E60 | 2014–2019 | 6.0 L V12 | 530–630 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 10.5 L | ~270,000 km |
| Mercedes M278 DE46 | 2014–2017 | 4.7 L V8 | 367–455 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 8.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| Mercedes M157 DE55 | 2014–2017 | 5.5 L V8 | 525–585 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 8.5 L | ~250,000 km |
Mercedes-Benz CL-Class engine FAQ
What engines were used in the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class?
Mercedes-Benz CL-Class C140 (1991–1999): Mercedes M120, Mercedes M119 E50 and Mercedes M119 E42; Mercedes-Benz CL-Class C215 (1998–2006): Mercedes M113 E50, Mercedes M137 and Mercedes M275; Mercedes-Benz CL-Class (1999–2008): Mercedes M113 E43; Mercedes-Benz CL-Class C216 (2006–2014): Mercedes M273, Mercedes M275, Mercedes M156, Mercedes M278 DE46 and Mercedes M157 DE55; Mercedes-Benz CL-Class C217 (2014–2019): Mercedes M279 E60, Mercedes M278 DE46 and Mercedes M157 DE55.
Which Mercedes-Benz CL-Class engine is the most durable?
By rated service life the most durable Mercedes-Benz CL-Class engines are: Mercedes M119 E50 — about 450,000 km; Mercedes M119 E42 — about 400,000 km; Mercedes M113 E50 — about 350,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.
How much oil does the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class engine take?
Engine oil capacity with filter: Mercedes M113 E43 — 8 L (5W-40); Mercedes M113 E50 — 8 L (5W-40); Mercedes M119 E42 — 6.5 L (5W-40); Mercedes M119 E50 — 8 L (5W-40); Mercedes M120 — 9.5 L (5W-40); Mercedes M137 — 9 L (5W-40); Mercedes M156 — 9 L (0W-40); Mercedes M157 DE55 — 8.5 L (0W-40); Mercedes M273 — 8.5 L (5W-40); Mercedes M275 — 9.5 L (5W-40); Mercedes M278 DE46 — 8.5 L (0W-40); Mercedes M279 E60 — 10.5 L (5W-30).
Does the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class have a timing belt or chain?
Timing chain: Mercedes M113 E43, Mercedes M113 E50, Mercedes M119 E42, Mercedes M119 E50, Mercedes M120, Mercedes M137, Mercedes M156, Mercedes M157 DE55, Mercedes M273, Mercedes M275, Mercedes M278 DE46 and Mercedes M279 E60.
Was the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class available with a diesel engine?
No, all Mercedes-Benz CL-Class engines in our database run on petrol.
Engine details
Mercedes M119 E50
One of the most reliable engines in its class rarely worries owners.
Mercedes M120
This is a hot motor and with a lack of cooling, its gaskets quickly collapse.
Mercedes M113 E43
The main problem of the power units of this family is the huge oil consumption.
Mercedes M113 E50
The main problem of the power units of this family is the huge oil consumption.
Mercedes M137
Most often, the network complains about regular oil leaks due to the destruction of gaskets.
Mercedes M275
The most famous problem with this engine is the impressive oil consumption.
Mercedes M273
The unit is considered problematic and its weak point is timing drive.
Mercedes M156
The most well-known problem with these engines is low camshaft life.
Mercedes M157 DE55
This unit is often tuned and its resource depends on the degree of forcing.
Mercedes M278 DE46
Due to the design features of the motor, the timing chain tensioners quickly fail.
Mercedes M279 E60
Finally expensive ignition blocks are a thing of the past and now there are dual coils.
Models with the same engines
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class 12 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 10 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class 8 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 6 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz G-Class 6 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz M-Class 6 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class 4 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 3 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz R-Class 3 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2 shared engines