Mercedes-Benz S-Class engines

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the flagship series of German full-size luxury cars produced by Mercedes-Benz since 1972. In literal translation, the car is designated as a “special class”. Since 2013, 6th generation S-class cars have been produced. The main market competitors of the model are BMW 7, Audi A8, Maserati Quattroporte, Jaguar XJ and Lexus LS. The main production facilities are located in Germany and Mexico. Also cars are produced in India, USA, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Africa.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class was offered with 35 engines since 1977 (25 petrol, 10 diesel). Displacement ranges from 0.6 to 7.3 liters, power output from 80 to 670 hp. All of them use a timing chain. 16 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Mercedes M104 E28 (about 500,000 km).

Mercedes-Benz S-Class engines by generation

EngineYearsVolumePowerFuelTimingOilLifespan
Mercedes-Benz S-Class W116 1977–1980
Mercedes OM6171977–19800.6–3.0 L R580–125 hpdieselchain6.5 L
Mercedes-Benz S-Class W126 1979–1991
Mercedes OM6171979–19850.6–3.0 L R580–125 hpdieselchain6.5 L
Mercedes OM6031985–19913.0–3.4 L R6109–150 hpdiesel, NA / turbochain7.5 L~450,000 km
Mercedes M103 E261985–19912.6 L R6160–165 hppetrolchain6 L~450,000 km
Mercedes M103 E301985–19913.0 L R6180–190 hppetrolchain6 L~450,000 km
Mercedes-Benz S-Class W140 1991–1998
Mercedes M119 E501991–19985.0 L V8320 hppetrolchain8 L~450,000 km
Mercedes M119 E421991–19984.2 L V8272–286 hppetrolchain6.5 L~400,000 km
Mercedes M104 E321991–19983.2 L R6220–230 hppetrolchain7 L~500,000 km
Mercedes OM6031992–19963.0–3.4 L R6109–150 hpdiesel, NA / turbochain7.5 L~450,000 km
Mercedes M104 E281992–19982.8 L R6193–197 hppetrolchain7 L~500,000 km
Mercedes M1201992–19986.0–7.3 L V12394–525 hppetrolchain9.5 L~300,000 km
Mercedes OM6061996–19983.0 L R6136–177 hpdiesel, NA / turbochain7.5 L~500,000 km
Mercedes-Benz S-Class W220 1998–2006
Mercedes M112 E321998–20023.2 L V6190–354 hppetrolchain7.5 L~350,000 km
Mercedes M112 E281998–20052.8 L V6197–204 hppetrolchain7.5 L~330,000 km
Mercedes M113 E431998–20054.3 L V8272–306 hppetrolchain8 L~300,000 km
Mercedes OM6131999–20033.2 L R6197 hpdiesel, turbochain7.5 L~400,000 km
Mercedes OM6281999–20054.0 L V8250–260 hpdiesel, turbochain10.5 L~300,000 km
Mercedes M113 E501999–20065.0 L V8296–306 hppetrolchain8 L~350,000 km
Mercedes M1371999–20025.8–6.3 L V12367–444 hppetrolchain9 L~300,000 km
Mercedes OM6482002–20063.2 L R6177–204 hpdiesel, turbochain7.5 L~400,000 km
Mercedes M112 E372002–20053.7 L V6231–245 hppetrolchain7.5 L~360,000 km
Mercedes M2752002–20055.5–6.0 L V12500–670 hppetrol, turbochain9.5 L~280,000 km
Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221 2005–2013
Mercedes OM6292005–20104.0 L V8306–320 hpdiesel, turbochain10.5 L~280,000 km
Mercedes M2732005–20114.7–5.5 L V8340–388 hppetrolchain8.5 L~350,000 km
Mercedes M272 E352005–20113.5 L V6258–292 hppetrolchain8 L~320,000 km
Mercedes OM6422006–20133.0 L V6184–265 hpdiesel, turbochain8–12 L~450,000 km
Mercedes M2752006–20135.5–6.0 L V12500–670 hppetrol, turbochain9.5 L~280,000 km
Mercedes M1562006–20106.2 L V8457–525 hppetrolchain9 L~250,000 km
Mercedes M272 E302007–20133.0 L V6231 hppetrolchain8 L~300,000 km
Mercedes M157 DE552010–20135.5 L V8525–585 hppetrol, turbochain8.5 L~250,000 km
Mercedes OM6512011–20131.8–2.1 L R495–204 hpdieselchain + gears6.5 L~400,000 km
Mercedes M278 DE462011–20134.7 L V8367–455 hppetrol, turbochain8.5 L~300,000 km
Mercedes M276 DE352011–20133.5 L V6252–333 hppetrol, NA / turbochain8 L~300,000 km
Mercedes-Benz S-Class W222 2013–present
Mercedes OM6422013–20173.0 L V6184–265 hpdiesel, turbochain8–12 L~450,000 km
Mercedes M278 DE462013–20174.7 L V8367–455 hppetrol, turbochain8.5 L~300,000 km
Mercedes M157 DE552013–20175.5 L V8525–585 hppetrol, turbochain8.5 L~250,000 km
Mercedes M276 DE352013–20173.5 L V6252–333 hppetrol, NA / turbochain8 L~300,000 km
Mercedes OM6512014–20171.8–2.1 L R495–204 hpdieselchain + gears6.5 L~400,000 km
Mercedes M279 E602014–present6.0 L V12530–630 hppetrol, turbochain10.5 L~270,000 km
Mercedes M276 DE302014–20203.0 L V6272–367 hppetrol, turbochain8 L~250,000 km
Mercedes OM6562017–20202.9 L R6272–340 hpdiesel, turbochain8.5 L~250,000 km
Mercedes M256 E302017–20203.0 L R6367–435 hppetrol, turbochain6.5 L~250,000 km
Mercedes M1772017–20204.0 L V8476–639 hppetrol, turbochain9 L~250,000 km
Mercedes-Benz S-Class W223 2020–present
Mercedes OM6562020–present2.9 L R6272–340 hpdiesel, turbochain8.5 L~250,000 km
Mercedes M256 E302020–present3.0 L R6367–435 hppetrol, turbochain6.5 L~250,000 km

Mercedes-Benz S-Class engine FAQ

What engines were used in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

Mercedes-Benz S-Class W116 (1977–1980): Mercedes OM617; Mercedes-Benz S-Class W126 (1979–1991): Mercedes OM617, Mercedes OM603, Mercedes M103 E26 and Mercedes M103 E30; Mercedes-Benz S-Class W140 (1991–1998): Mercedes M119 E50, Mercedes M119 E42, Mercedes M104 E32, Mercedes OM603, Mercedes M104 E28, Mercedes M120 and Mercedes OM606; Mercedes-Benz S-Class W220 (1998–2006): Mercedes M112 E32, Mercedes M112 E28, Mercedes M113 E43, Mercedes OM613, Mercedes OM628, Mercedes M113 E50, Mercedes M137, Mercedes OM648, Mercedes M112 E37 and Mercedes M275; Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221 (2005–2013): Mercedes OM629, Mercedes M273, Mercedes M272 E35, Mercedes OM642, Mercedes M275, Mercedes M156, Mercedes M272 E30, Mercedes M157 DE55, Mercedes OM651, Mercedes M278 DE46 and Mercedes M276 DE35; Mercedes-Benz S-Class W222 (2013–present): Mercedes OM642, Mercedes M278 DE46, Mercedes M157 DE55, Mercedes M276 DE35, Mercedes OM651, Mercedes M279 E60, Mercedes M276 DE30, Mercedes OM656, Mercedes M256 E30 and Mercedes M177; Mercedes-Benz S-Class W223 (2020–present): Mercedes OM656 and Mercedes M256 E30.

Which Mercedes-Benz S-Class engine is the most durable?

By rated service life the most durable Mercedes-Benz S-Class engines are: Mercedes M104 E28 — about 500,000 km; Mercedes M104 E32 — about 500,000 km; Mercedes OM606 — about 500,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.

How much oil does the Mercedes-Benz S-Class engine take?

Engine oil capacity with filter: Mercedes M103 E26 — 6 L (5W-40); Mercedes M103 E30 — 6 L (5W-40); Mercedes M104 E28 — 7 L (5W-40); Mercedes M104 E32 — 7 L (5W-40); Mercedes M112 E28 — 7.5 L (5W-30); 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 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 M177 — 9 L (0W-40); Mercedes M256 E30 — 6.5 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 M275 — 9.5 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 M279 E60 — 10.5 L (5W-30); Mercedes OM603 — 7.5 L (5W-40); Mercedes OM606 — 7.5 L (5W-40); Mercedes OM613 — 7.5 L (5W-30); Mercedes OM617 — 6.5 L (10W-40, MB 228.1/229.1); 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 OM648 — 7.5 L (5W-30); Mercedes OM651 — 6.5 L (5W-30); Mercedes OM656 — 8.5 L (5W-30).

Does the Mercedes-Benz S-Class have a timing belt or chain?

Timing chain: Mercedes M103 E26, Mercedes M103 E30, Mercedes M104 E28, Mercedes M104 E32, Mercedes M112 E28, Mercedes M112 E32, Mercedes M112 E37, Mercedes M113 E43, Mercedes M113 E50, Mercedes M119 E42, Mercedes M119 E50, Mercedes M120, Mercedes M137, Mercedes M156, Mercedes M157 DE55, Mercedes M177, Mercedes M256 E30, Mercedes M272 E30, Mercedes M272 E35, Mercedes M273, Mercedes M275, Mercedes M276 DE30, Mercedes M276 DE35, Mercedes M278 DE46, Mercedes M279 E60, Mercedes OM603, Mercedes OM606, Mercedes OM613, Mercedes OM617, Mercedes OM628, Mercedes OM629, Mercedes OM642, Mercedes OM648, Mercedes OM651 and Mercedes OM656; gear drive: Mercedes OM651.

Was the Mercedes-Benz S-Class available with a diesel engine?

Yes: Mercedes OM603, Mercedes OM606, Mercedes OM613, Mercedes OM617, Mercedes OM628, Mercedes OM629, Mercedes OM642, Mercedes OM648, Mercedes OM651 and Mercedes OM656.

Engine details

Mercedes OM617

Mercedes OM617

1974–1990 · 0.6–3.0 L R5 · diesel · 80–125 hp · chain

Diesel engines until 1979 often had cracks in the block in the region of the fifth cylinder and the crankshaft burst. There…

Mercedes OM603

Mercedes OM603

1984–1997 · 3.0–3.4 L R6 · diesel · 109–150 hp · chain

This diesel unit is very vibroloaded, which affects the resource of its pillows.

Mercedes M103 E26

Mercedes M103 E26

1985–1993 · 2.6 L R6 · petrol · 160–165 hp · chain

Most often, car owners with such a power unit are faced with lubricant leaks.

Mercedes M103 E30

Mercedes M103 E30

1985–1993 · 3.0 L R6 · petrol · 180–190 hp · chain

Most often, car owners with such a power unit are faced with lubricant leaks.

Mercedes M119 E42

Mercedes M119 E42

1989–1999 · 4.2 L V8 · petrol · 272–286 hp · chain

One of the most reliable engines in its class rarely worries owners.

Mercedes M119 E50

Mercedes M119 E50

1989–1999 · 5.0 L V8 · petrol · 320 hp · chain

One of the most reliable engines in its class rarely worries owners.

Mercedes M104 E32

Mercedes M104 E32

1991–1998 · 3.2 L R6 · petrol · 220–230 hp · chain

The main problem of power units of this series is numerous oil leaks.

Mercedes M120

Mercedes M120

1991–2001 · 6.0–7.3 L V12 · petrol · 394–525 hp · chain

This is a hot motor and with a lack of cooling, its gaskets quickly collapse.

Mercedes M104 E28

Mercedes M104 E28

1992–1998 · 2.8 L R6 · petrol · 193–197 hp · chain

The main problem of power units of this series is numerous oil leaks.

Mercedes OM606

Mercedes OM606

1993–2001 · 3.0 L R6 · diesel · 136–177 hp · chain

The vibration load of this diesel engine affects the resource of its supports.

Mercedes M112 E28

Mercedes M112 E28

1997–2005 · 2.8 L V6 · petrol · 197–204 hp · chain

The signature failure of this series of engines is the destruction of the crankshaft pulley.

Mercedes M112 E32

Mercedes M112 E32

1997–2007 · 3.2 L V6 · petrol · 190–354 hp · chain

The signature failure of this series of engines is the destruction of the crankshaft pulley.

Mercedes M113 E43

Mercedes M113 E43

1997–2008 · 4.3 L V8 · petrol · 272–306 hp · chain

The main problem of the power units of this family is the huge oil consumption.

Mercedes M113 E50

Mercedes M113 E50

1997–2008 · 5.0 L V8 · petrol · 296–306 hp · chain

The main problem of the power units of this family is the huge oil consumption.

Mercedes M137

Mercedes M137

1999–2003 · 5.8–6.3 L V12 · petrol · 367–444 hp · chain

Most often, the network complains about regular oil leaks due to the destruction of gaskets.

Mercedes OM613

Mercedes OM613

1999–2003 · 3.2 L R6 · diesel · 197 hp · chain

All known problems of this diesel engine are related to Common Rail fuel equipment.

Mercedes OM628

Mercedes OM628

1999–2005 · 4.0 L V8 · diesel · 250–260 hp · chain

Mercedes M112 E37

Mercedes M112 E37

2002–2008 · 3.7 L V6 · petrol · 231–245 hp · chain

The signature failure of this series of engines is the destruction of the crankshaft pulley.

Mercedes M275

Mercedes M275

2002–2013 · 5.5–6.0 L V12 · petrol · 500–670 hp · chain

The most famous problem with this engine is the impressive oil consumption.

Mercedes OM648

Mercedes OM648

2002–2006 · 3.2 L R6 · diesel · 177–204 hp · chain

the main diesel problems are related to the components of the common rail fuel system.

Mercedes M272 E30

Mercedes M272 E30

2004–2013 · 3.0 L V6 · petrol · 231 hp · chain

The weakest point of this power unit is its timing drive.

Mercedes M272 E35

Mercedes M272 E35

2004–2013 · 3.5 L V6 · petrol · 258–292 hp · chain

The weakest point of this power unit is its timing drive.

Mercedes M273

Mercedes M273

2005–2015 · 4.7–5.5 L V8 · petrol · 340–388 hp · chain

The unit is considered problematic and its weak point is timing drive.

Mercedes OM629

Mercedes OM629

2005–2010 · 4.0 L V8 · diesel · 306–320 hp · chain

This diesel engine has become more reliable than its predecessor, but still causes a lot of trouble.

Mercedes OM642

Mercedes OM642

2005–present · 3.0 L V6 · diesel · 184–265 hp · chain

The most famous problem of this diesel engine is leaking on the heat exchanger gaskets, and since it is in the collapse…

Mercedes M156

Mercedes M156

2006–2015 · 6.2 L V8 · petrol · 457–525 hp · chain

The most well-known problem with these engines is low camshaft life.

Mercedes OM651

Mercedes OM651

2008–present · 1.8–2.1 L R4 · diesel · 95–204 hp · chain + gears

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

Mercedes M157 DE55

2010–2019 · 5.5 L V8 · petrol · 525–585 hp · chain

This unit is often tuned and its resource depends on the degree of forcing.

Mercedes M276 DE30

Mercedes M276 DE30

2010–present · 3.0 L V6 · petrol · 272–367 hp · chain

The most problematic place of this power unit is the timing chain tensioners.

Mercedes M276 DE35

Mercedes M276 DE35

2010–present · 3.5 L V6 · petrol · 252–333 hp · chain

The most problematic place of this power unit is the timing chain tensioners.

Mercedes M278 DE46

Mercedes M278 DE46

2010–present · 4.7 L V8 · petrol · 367–455 hp · chain

Due to the design features of the motor, the timing chain tensioners quickly fail.

Mercedes M279 E60

Mercedes M279 E60

2012–present · 6.0 L V12 · petrol · 530–630 hp · chain

Finally expensive ignition blocks are a thing of the past and now there are dual coils.

Mercedes M177

Mercedes M177

2015–present · 4.0 L V8 · petrol · 476–639 hp · chain

First of all, this engine does not like tuning very much; its connecting rods cannot withstand.

Mercedes M256 E30

Mercedes M256 E30

2017–present · 3.0 L R6 · petrol · 367–435 hp · chain

So far, no design flaws have been noted on the specialized forums.

Mercedes OM656

Mercedes OM656

2017–present · 2.9 L R6 · diesel · 272–340 hp · chain

Most of the problems here are related to the Camtronic variable valve timing.

Models with the same engines

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