Mercedes M111 E23
Most of all, grease leaks will cause you problems, and their number grows with mileage.
Mercedes-Benz M-Class engines
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class (sometimes called ML-Class) is a German mid-size SUV that has been produced by the manufacturer Mercedes-Benz since 1997. Since 2011, the 3rd generation of the model has been released, and since 2015 its updated version, renamed the GLE-class. GLE is an abbreviation for Long E-Class SUV. The model is the first product of a subsidiary plant located in the USA. The car was originally developed to conquer the North American market.
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class was offered with 17 engines between 1998 and 2019 (12 petrol, 5 diesel). Displacement ranges from 1.8 to 6.2 liters, power output from 95 to 585 hp. All of them use a timing chain. 8 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Mercedes M111 E23 (about 450,000 km).
Mercedes-Benz M-Class engines by generation
| Engine | Years | Volume | Power | Fuel | Timing | Oil | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz M-Class W163 1998–2005 | |||||||
| Mercedes M112 E32 | 1998–2003 | 3.2 L V6 | 190–354 hp | petrol | chain | 7.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| Mercedes M111 E23 | 1998–2000 | 2.3 L R4 | 143–193 hp | petrol | chain | 5.5 L | ~450,000 km |
| Mercedes OM612 | 1999–2005 | 2.7 L R5 | 156–170 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 7.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| Mercedes M113 E43 | 1999–2005 | 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 M112 E37 | 2001–2004 | 3.7 L V6 | 231–245 hp | petrol | chain | 7.5 L | ~360,000 km |
| Mercedes M113 E50 | 2001–2005 | 5.0 L V8 | 296–306 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | ~350,000 km |
| Mercedes-Benz M-Class W164 2006–2011 | |||||||
| Mercedes M272 E35 | 2006–2011 | 3.5 L V6 | 258–292 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | ~320,000 km |
| Mercedes M156 | 2006–2010 | 6.2 L V8 | 457–525 hp | petrol | chain | 9 L | ~250,000 km |
| Mercedes OM629 | 2007–2010 | 4.0 L V8 | 306–320 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 10.5 L | ~280,000 km |
| Mercedes M273 | 2007–2011 | 4.7–5.5 L V8 | 340–388 hp | petrol | chain | 8.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| Mercedes OM642 | 2007–2011 | 3.0 L V6 | 184–265 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 8–12 L | ~450,000 km |
| Mercedes-Benz M-Class W166 2011–2019 | |||||||
| Mercedes OM651 | 2011–2018 | 1.8–2.1 L R4 | 95–204 hp | diesel | chain + gears | 6.5 L | ~400,000 km |
| Mercedes M278 DE46 | 2012–2015 | 4.7 L V8 | 367–455 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 8.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| Mercedes M157 DE55 | 2012–2015 | 5.5 L V8 | 525–585 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 8.5 L | ~250,000 km |
| Mercedes M276 DE35 | 2012–2018 | 3.5 L V6 | 252–333 hp | petrol, NA / turbo | chain | 8 L | ~300,000 km |
| Mercedes M276 DE30 | 2015–2019 | 3.0 L V6 | 272–367 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 8 L | ~250,000 km |
Mercedes-Benz M-Class engine FAQ
What engines were used in the Mercedes-Benz M-Class?
Mercedes-Benz M-Class W163 (1998–2005): Mercedes M112 E32, Mercedes M111 E23, Mercedes OM612, Mercedes M113 E43, Mercedes OM628, Mercedes M112 E37 and Mercedes M113 E50; Mercedes-Benz M-Class W164 (2006–2011): Mercedes M272 E35, Mercedes M156, Mercedes OM629, Mercedes M273 and Mercedes OM642; Mercedes-Benz M-Class W166 (2011–2019): Mercedes OM651, Mercedes M278 DE46, Mercedes M157 DE55, Mercedes M276 DE35 and Mercedes M276 DE30.
Which Mercedes-Benz M-Class engine is the most durable?
By rated service life the most durable Mercedes-Benz M-Class engines are: Mercedes M111 E23 — about 450,000 km; Mercedes OM642 — about 450,000 km; Mercedes OM651 — about 400,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.
How much oil does the Mercedes-Benz M-Class engine take?
Engine oil capacity with filter: Mercedes M111 E23 — 5.5 L (5W-40); Mercedes M112 E32 — 7.5 L (5W-30); Mercedes M112 E37 — 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 M157 DE55 — 8.5 L (0W-40); Mercedes M272 E35 — 8 L (5W-30); Mercedes M273 — 8.5 L (5W-40); Mercedes M276 DE30 — 8 L (5W-30); Mercedes M276 DE35 — 8 L (5W-30); Mercedes M278 DE46 — 8.5 L (0W-40); Mercedes OM612 — 7.5 L (5W-30); Mercedes OM628 — 10.5 L (5W-30); Mercedes OM629 — 10.5 L (5W-30); Mercedes OM642 — 8–12 L (5W-30, MB 228.51/229.51); Mercedes OM651 — 6.5 L (5W-30).
Does the Mercedes-Benz M-Class have a timing belt or chain?
Timing chain: Mercedes M111 E23, Mercedes M112 E32, Mercedes M112 E37, Mercedes M113 E43, Mercedes M113 E50, Mercedes M156, Mercedes M157 DE55, Mercedes M272 E35, Mercedes M273, Mercedes M276 DE30, Mercedes M276 DE35, Mercedes M278 DE46, Mercedes OM612, Mercedes OM628, Mercedes OM629, Mercedes OM642 and Mercedes OM651; gear drive: Mercedes OM651.
Was the Mercedes-Benz M-Class available with a diesel engine?
Yes: Mercedes OM612, Mercedes OM628, Mercedes OM629, Mercedes OM642 and Mercedes OM651.
Engine details
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 E37
The signature failure of this series of engines is the destruction of the crankshaft pulley.
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 OM629
This diesel engine has become more reliable than its predecessor, but still causes a lot of trouble.
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.
Mercedes OM651
Until 2011, the main versions were equipped with a Delphi fuel system with piezo injectors, which were prone to leaks, which often…
Mercedes M157 DE55
This unit is often tuned and its resource depends on the degree of forcing.
Mercedes M276 DE30
The most problematic place of this power unit is the timing chain tensioners.
Mercedes M276 DE35
The most problematic place of this power unit is the timing chain tensioners.
Mercedes M278 DE46
Due to the design features of the motor, the timing chain tensioners quickly fail.
Models with the same engines
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class 16 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class 15 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 11 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class 10 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 10 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class 9 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz G-Class 7 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz R-Class 7 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz CL-Class 6 shared engines
- Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 6 shared engines