Mercedes-Benz SL-Class engines

The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class is a German sports car manufactured since 1954 by Mercedes-Benz. Since 2013, the 6th generation of the model has been produced. The letters SL in the name of the car are deciphered and translated as “sporty lightweight”. The ancestor of the class is the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL model, introduced in 1954. North America is the main market for SL-class models. The car is also sold in Japan and Australia.

The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class was offered with 24 engines since 1985 (24 petrol). Displacement ranges from 2.0 to 7.3 liters, power output from 180 to 670 hp. All of them use a timing chain. 8 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Mercedes M104 E28 (about 500,000 km).

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class engines by generation

EngineYearsVolumePowerFuelTimingOilLifespan
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class R107 1985–1989
Mercedes M103 E301985–19893.0 L R6180–190 hppetrolchain6 L~450,000 km
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class R129 1989–2001
Mercedes M119 E501989–19985.0 L V8320 hppetrolchain8 L~450,000 km
Mercedes M104 E301989–19933.0 L R6220–230 hppetrolchain7 L~500,000 km
Mercedes M103 E301989–19933.0 L R6180–190 hppetrolchain6 L~450,000 km
Mercedes M1201992–20016.0–7.3 L V12394–525 hppetrolchain9.5 L~300,000 km
Mercedes M104 E321993–19983.2 L R6220–230 hppetrolchain7 L~500,000 km
Mercedes M104 E281993–19982.8 L R6193–197 hppetrolchain7 L~500,000 km
Mercedes M119 E601993–19986.0 L V8374–381 hppetrolchain8 L~500,000 km
Mercedes M112 E281997–20012.8 L V6197–204 hppetrolchain7.5 L~330,000 km
Mercedes M112 E321998–20013.2 L V6190–354 hppetrolchain7.5 L~350,000 km
Mercedes M113 E501999–20015.0 L V8296–306 hppetrolchain8 L~350,000 km
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class R230 2001–2012
Mercedes M112 E372001–20063.7 L V6231–245 hppetrolchain7.5 L~360,000 km
Mercedes M113 E502001–20065.0 L V8296–306 hppetrolchain8 L~350,000 km
Mercedes M113 E432001–20064.3 L V8272–306 hppetrolchain8 L~300,000 km
Mercedes M2752002–20115.5–6.0 L V12500–670 hppetrol, turbochain9.5 L~280,000 km
Mercedes M272 E352005–20123.5 L V6258–292 hppetrolchain8 L~320,000 km
Mercedes M272 E302005–20093.0 L V6231 hppetrolchain8 L~300,000 km
Mercedes M2732006–20114.7–5.5 L V8340–388 hppetrolchain8.5 L~350,000 km
Mercedes M1562008–20116.2 L V8457–525 hppetrolchain9 L~250,000 km
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class R231 2012–2020
Mercedes M279 E602012–20186.0 L V12530–630 hppetrol, turbochain10.5 L~270,000 km
Mercedes M278 DE462012–20204.7 L V8367–455 hppetrol, turbochain8.5 L~300,000 km
Mercedes M157 DE552012–20185.5 L V8525–585 hppetrol, turbochain8.5 L~250,000 km
Mercedes M276 DE302014–20203.0 L V6272–367 hppetrol, turbochain8 L~250,000 km
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class R232 2021–present
Mercedes M1772021–present4.0 L V8476–639 hppetrol, turbochain9 L~250,000 km
Mercedes M1392022–present2.0 L R4365–476 hppetrol, turbochain5.5 L~250,000 km
Other Mercedes-Benz SL-Class engines generation not specified
Mercedes M276 DE352010–present3.5 L V6252–333 hppetrol, NA / turbochain8 L~300,000 km

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class engine FAQ

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

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class R107 (1985–1989): Mercedes M103 E30; Mercedes-Benz SL-Class R129 (1989–2001): Mercedes M119 E50, Mercedes M104 E30, Mercedes M103 E30, Mercedes M120, Mercedes M104 E32, Mercedes M104 E28, Mercedes M119 E60, Mercedes M112 E28, Mercedes M112 E32 and Mercedes M113 E50; Mercedes-Benz SL-Class R230 (2001–2012): Mercedes M112 E37, Mercedes M113 E50, Mercedes M113 E43, Mercedes M275, Mercedes M272 E35, Mercedes M272 E30, Mercedes M273 and Mercedes M156; Mercedes-Benz SL-Class R231 (2012–2020): Mercedes M279 E60, Mercedes M278 DE46, Mercedes M157 DE55 and Mercedes M276 DE30; Mercedes-Benz SL-Class R232 (2021–present): Mercedes M177 and Mercedes M139.

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

By rated service life the most durable Mercedes-Benz SL-Class engines are: Mercedes M104 E28 — about 500,000 km; Mercedes M104 E30 — about 500,000 km; Mercedes M104 E32 — about 500,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.

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

Engine oil capacity with filter: Mercedes M103 E30 — 6 L (5W-40); Mercedes M104 E28 — 7 L (5W-40); Mercedes M104 E30 — 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 E50 — 8 L (5W-40); Mercedes M119 E60 — 8 L (5W-40); Mercedes M120 — 9.5 L (5W-40); Mercedes M139 — 5.5 L (0W-40); Mercedes M156 — 9 L (0W-40); Mercedes M157 DE55 — 8.5 L (0W-40); Mercedes M177 — 9 L (0W-40); 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).

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

Timing chain: Mercedes M103 E30, Mercedes M104 E28, Mercedes M104 E30, Mercedes M104 E32, Mercedes M112 E28, Mercedes M112 E32, Mercedes M112 E37, Mercedes M113 E43, Mercedes M113 E50, Mercedes M119 E50, Mercedes M119 E60, Mercedes M120, Mercedes M139, Mercedes M156, Mercedes M157 DE55, Mercedes M177, Mercedes M272 E30, Mercedes M272 E35, Mercedes M273, Mercedes M275, Mercedes M276 DE30, Mercedes M276 DE35, Mercedes M278 DE46 and Mercedes M279 E60.

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

No, all Mercedes-Benz SL-Class engines in our database run on petrol.

Engine details

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 M104 E30

Mercedes M104 E30

1989–1993 · 3.0 L R6 · petrol · 220–230 hp · chain

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

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 M119 E60

Mercedes M119 E60

1989–1999 · 6.0 L V8 · petrol · 374–381 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 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 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 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 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 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 M139

Mercedes M139

2019–present · 2.0 L R4 · petrol · 365–476 hp · chain

This is a completely reliable turbo engine for this level of boost and there are no problems with it.

Models with the same engines

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