Mercedes OM616
This is a very reliable and hardy diesel engine with just a huge resource and the most famous weak point is the…
Mercedes-Benz G-Class engines
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a series of German full-size SUVs produced since 1979 by Mercedes-Benz. The production of the 2nd generation of the model started in 1990. Development of the next version of the car began in 2016. The name of the series of models comes from the abbreviated G-Wagen or Geländewagen, which means “SUV” in German. Initially, the car was developed as a military transport, but its civilian version was immediately presented.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class was offered with 17 engines since 1979 (8 petrol, 9 diesel). Displacement ranges from 0.6 to 6.3 liters, power output from 65 to 639 hp. All of them use a timing chain. 10 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Mercedes OM616 (about 800,000 km).
Mercedes-Benz G-Class engines by generation
| Engine | Years | Volume | Power | Fuel | Timing | Oil | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class W460 1979–1992 | |||||||
| Mercedes OM617 | 1979–1990 | 0.6–3.0 L R5 | 80–125 hp | diesel | chain | 6.5 L | |
| Mercedes OM616 | 1979–1987 | 2.4 L R4 | 65–75 hp | diesel | chain | 6.5 L | ~800,000 km |
| Mercedes M102 | 1980–1989 | 1.8–2.3 L R4 | 86–136 hp | petrol | chain | 4.5–5 L | ~400,000 km |
| Mercedes OM602 | 1987–1992 | 2.5–2.9 L R5 | 84–129 hp | diesel, NA / turbo | chain | 7 L | ~450,000 km |
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class W463 1990–present | |||||||
| Mercedes OM603 | 1990–1997 | 3.0–3.4 L R6 | 109–150 hp | diesel, NA / turbo | chain | 7.5 L | ~450,000 km |
| Mercedes OM606 | 1997–2001 | 3.0 L R6 | 136–177 hp | diesel, NA / turbo | chain | 7.5 L | ~500,000 km |
| Mercedes M113 E50 | 1998–2008 | 5.0 L V8 | 296–306 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | ~350,000 km |
| Mercedes M113 E43 | 1998–2008 | 4.3 L V8 | 272–306 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | ~300,000 km |
| Mercedes OM628 | 2001–2005 | 4.0 L V8 | 250–260 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 10.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| Mercedes OM612 | 2002–2006 | 2.7 L R5 | 156–170 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 7.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| Mercedes M137 | 2002–2003 | 5.8–6.3 L V12 | 367–444 hp | petrol | chain | 9 L | ~300,000 km |
| Mercedes OM642 | 2006–2018 | 3.0 L V6 | 184–265 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 8–12 L | ~450,000 km |
| Mercedes M273 | 2007–2015 | 4.7–5.5 L V8 | 340–388 hp | petrol | chain | 8.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| Mercedes M279 E60 | 2012–2018 | 6.0 L V12 | 530–630 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 10.5 L | ~270,000 km |
| Mercedes M157 DE55 | 2012–2018 | 5.5 L V8 | 525–585 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 8.5 L | ~250,000 km |
| Mercedes M177 | 2018–present | 4.0 L V8 | 476–639 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 9 L | ~250,000 km |
| Mercedes OM656 | 2019–present | 2.9 L R6 | 272–340 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 8.5 L | ~250,000 km |
Mercedes-Benz G-Class engine FAQ
What engines were used in the Mercedes-Benz G-Class?
Mercedes-Benz G-Class W460 (1979–1992): Mercedes OM617, Mercedes OM616, Mercedes M102 and Mercedes OM602; Mercedes-Benz G-Class W463 (1990–present): Mercedes OM603, Mercedes OM606, Mercedes M113 E50, Mercedes M113 E43, Mercedes OM628, Mercedes OM612, Mercedes M137, Mercedes OM642, Mercedes M273, Mercedes M279 E60, Mercedes M157 DE55, Mercedes M177 and Mercedes OM656.
Which Mercedes-Benz G-Class engine is the most durable?
By rated service life the most durable Mercedes-Benz G-Class engines are: Mercedes OM616 — about 800,000 km; Mercedes OM606 — about 500,000 km; Mercedes OM602 — about 450,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.
How much oil does the Mercedes-Benz G-Class engine take?
Engine oil capacity with filter: Mercedes M102 — 4.5–5 L (5W-40); Mercedes M113 E43 — 8 L (5W-40); Mercedes M113 E50 — 8 L (5W-40); Mercedes M137 — 9 L (5W-40); Mercedes M157 DE55 — 8.5 L (0W-40); Mercedes M177 — 9 L (0W-40); Mercedes M273 — 8.5 L (5W-40); Mercedes M279 E60 — 10.5 L (5W-30); Mercedes OM602 — 7 L (5W-40); Mercedes OM603 — 7.5 L (5W-40); Mercedes OM606 — 7.5 L (5W-40); Mercedes OM612 — 7.5 L (5W-30); Mercedes OM616 — 6.5 L (10W-40, MB 228.1/229.1); Mercedes OM617 — 6.5 L (10W-40, MB 228.1/229.1); Mercedes OM628 — 10.5 L (5W-30); Mercedes OM642 — 8–12 L (5W-30, MB 228.51/229.51); Mercedes OM656 — 8.5 L (5W-30).
Does the Mercedes-Benz G-Class have a timing belt or chain?
Timing chain: Mercedes M102, Mercedes M113 E43, Mercedes M113 E50, Mercedes M137, Mercedes M157 DE55, Mercedes M177, Mercedes M273, Mercedes M279 E60, Mercedes OM602, Mercedes OM603, Mercedes OM606, Mercedes OM612, Mercedes OM616, Mercedes OM617, Mercedes OM628, Mercedes OM642 and Mercedes OM656.
Was the Mercedes-Benz G-Class available with a diesel engine?
Yes: Mercedes OM602, Mercedes OM603, Mercedes OM606, Mercedes OM612, Mercedes OM616, Mercedes OM617, Mercedes OM628, Mercedes OM642 and Mercedes OM656.
Engine details
Mercedes OM617
Diesel engines until 1979 often had cracks in the block in the region of the fifth cylinder and the crankshaft burst. There…
Mercedes M102
The most famous engine problem is camshaft wear at 150,000 km.
Mercedes OM603
This diesel unit is very vibroloaded, which affects the resource of its pillows.
Mercedes OM602
Strong vibrations of this diesel engine adversely affect the life of its supports.
Mercedes OM606
The vibration load of this diesel engine affects the resource of its supports.
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 OM612
The problem with 5-cylinder diesel engines of the series is increased camshaft wear.
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 M157 DE55
This unit is often tuned and its resource depends on the degree of forcing.
Mercedes M279 E60
Finally expensive ignition blocks are a thing of the past and now there are dual coils.
Mercedes M177
First of all, this engine does not like tuning very much; its connecting rods cannot withstand.
Mercedes OM656
Most of the problems here are related to the Camtronic variable valve timing.
Models with the same engines
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class 15 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class 13 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz M-Class 7 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class 6 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz CL-Class 6 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 6 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 6 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class 5 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 3 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz R-Class 3 shared engines