Mercedes M111 E20
Most of all, grease leaks will cause you problems, and their number grows with mileage.
Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class engines
The Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class is a series of German luxury mid-range cars produced between 1997 and 2010 by the automaker Mercedes-Benz. CLK in the name of the car stands for and translates as “light, short coupe”. In total, two generations of the model were produced based on the W202 and W203 C-class platforms. In the entire history of the production of the model, about 0.7 million copies of cars rolled off the assembly line. The car was assembled in Germany and Mexico.
The Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class was offered with 14 engines between 1996 and 2010 (11 petrol, 3 diesel). Displacement ranges from 1.8 to 6.2 liters, power output from 88 to 525 hp. All of them use a timing chain. 4 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Mercedes M111 E23 (about 450,000 km).
Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class engines by generation
| Engine | Years | Volume | Power | Fuel | Timing | Oil | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class C208 1996–2003 | |||||||
| Mercedes M112 E32 | 1996–2002 | 3.2 L V6 | 190–354 hp | petrol | chain | 7.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| Mercedes M111 E23 | 1997–2002 | 2.3 L R4 | 143–193 hp | petrol | chain | 5.5 L | ~450,000 km |
| Mercedes M111 E20 | 1997–2003 | 2.0 L R4 | 136–192 hp | petrol | chain | 5.5 L | ~420,000 km |
| Mercedes M113 E43 | 1998–2002 | 4.3 L V8 | 272–306 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | ~300,000 km |
| Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class C209 2002–2010 | |||||||
| Mercedes OM612 | 2002–2005 | 2.7 L R5 | 156–170 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 7.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| Mercedes M271 E18 | 2002–2009 | 1.8 L R4 | 122–204 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 5.5 L | ~320,000 km |
| Mercedes M113 E50 | 2002–2006 | 5.0 L V8 | 296–306 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | ~350,000 km |
| Mercedes M112 E26 | 2002–2005 | 2.6 L V6 | 170–177 hp | petrol | chain | 7.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| Mercedes M272 E35 | 2005–2010 | 3.5 L V6 | 258–292 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | ~320,000 km |
| Mercedes M272 E30 | 2005–2010 | 3.0 L V6 | 231 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | ~300,000 km |
| Mercedes OM646 | 2005–2009 | 2.1 L R4 | 88–170 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.5–9.5 L | ~400,000 km |
| Mercedes OM642 | 2005–2010 | 3.0 L V6 | 184–265 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 8–12 L | ~450,000 km |
| Mercedes M273 | 2006–2010 | 4.7–5.5 L V8 | 340–388 hp | petrol | chain | 8.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| Mercedes M156 | 2006–2010 | 6.2 L V8 | 457–525 hp | petrol | chain | 9 L | ~250,000 km |
Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class engine FAQ
What engines were used in the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class?
Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class C208 (1996–2003): Mercedes M112 E32, Mercedes M111 E23, Mercedes M111 E20 and Mercedes M113 E43; Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class C209 (2002–2010): Mercedes OM612, Mercedes M271 E18, Mercedes M113 E50, Mercedes M112 E26, Mercedes M272 E35, Mercedes M272 E30, Mercedes OM646, Mercedes OM642, Mercedes M273 and Mercedes M156.
Which Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class engine is the most durable?
By rated service life the most durable Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class engines are: Mercedes M111 E23 — about 450,000 km; Mercedes OM642 — about 450,000 km; Mercedes M111 E20 — about 420,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.
How much oil does the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class engine take?
Engine oil capacity with filter: Mercedes M111 E20 — 5.5 L (5W-40); Mercedes M111 E23 — 5.5 L (5W-40); Mercedes M112 E26 — 7.5 L (5W-30); Mercedes M112 E32 — 7.5 L (5W-30); Mercedes M113 E43 — 8 L (5W-40); Mercedes M113 E50 — 8 L (5W-40); Mercedes M156 — 9 L (0W-40); Mercedes M271 E18 — 5.5 L (5W-30); Mercedes M272 E30 — 8 L (5W-30); Mercedes M272 E35 — 8 L (5W-30); Mercedes M273 — 8.5 L (5W-40); Mercedes OM612 — 7.5 L (5W-30); Mercedes OM642 — 8–12 L (5W-30, MB 228.51/229.51); Mercedes OM646 — 6.5–9.5 L (5W-40, MB 229.5 / 229.51).
Does the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class have a timing belt or chain?
Timing chain: Mercedes M111 E20, Mercedes M111 E23, Mercedes M112 E26, Mercedes M112 E32, Mercedes M113 E43, Mercedes M113 E50, Mercedes M156, Mercedes M271 E18, Mercedes M272 E30, Mercedes M272 E35, Mercedes M273, Mercedes OM612, Mercedes OM642 and Mercedes OM646.
Was the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class available with a diesel engine?
Yes: Mercedes OM612, Mercedes OM642 and Mercedes OM646.
Engine details
Mercedes M111 E23
Most of all, grease leaks will cause you problems, and their number grows with mileage.
Mercedes M112 E32
The signature failure of this series of engines is the destruction of the crankshaft pulley.
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 OM612
The problem with 5-cylinder diesel engines of the series is increased camshaft wear.
Mercedes M112 E26
The signature failure of this series of engines is the destruction of the crankshaft pulley.
Mercedes M271 E18
The most famous engine problem is the stuck exhaust valves due to soot.
Mercedes OM646
The motor is equipped with a reliable Bosch fuel system with electromagnetic injectors, but leaks at the injection pump seals or wear…
Mercedes M272 E30
The weakest point of this power unit is its timing drive.
Mercedes M272 E35
The weakest point of this power unit is its timing drive.
Mercedes M273
The unit is considered problematic and its weak point is timing drive.
Mercedes OM642
The most famous problem of this diesel engine is leaking on the heat exchanger gaskets, and since it is in the collapse…
Mercedes M156
The most well-known problem with these engines is low camshaft life.
Models with the same engines
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class 14 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class 12 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz M-Class 9 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class 8 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 7 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 7 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz R-Class 6 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 6 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 6 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz Vito/Viano/V-Class 6 shared engines