Table of Contents
Mercedes Engine Types: Gasoline, Diesel, AMG, Hybrid & EV
Mercedes-Benz is world-renowned for its engineering excellence, but what truly defines the driving experience of a Mercedes is its engine. From refined four-cylinders to fire-breathing AMG V8s and modern EQ Power electrified units, each engine family tells a story of performance, reliability, and innovation.
In this guide, we break down all Mercedes engine types gasoline, diesel, AMG, hybrid, and electric while highlighting specifications, common problems, and models equipped. If you own a Mercedes or are planning to buy one, this hub will help you understand the heart of your car.
Mercedes Gasoline Engines
Inline-4 Engines (M270, M274, M264, M260)
Mercedes inline-4 engines balance efficiency and power. They are widely used across the C-Class, E-Class, CLA, GLA, and GLC models.
Quick Specs Table:
| Engine | Displacement | Turbo | Production Years | Key Models | Common Issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M270 | 1.6L–2.0L | Yes | 2011–2019 | A-Class, CLA, GLA | Oil mixing with coolant, timing chain wear |
| M274 | 1.6L–2.0L | Yes | 2014–2020 | C-Class, E-Class, GLC | Coolant leaks |
| M264 | 2.0L | Yes | 2017–Present | C-Class W205/W206, E-Class | Misfires |
| M260 | 2.0L | Yes | 2018–Present | A-Class W177, CLA W118 | exhaust camshaft and adjuster |
Related reads: M270 Engine, M274 Engine Problems, M260 Engine Overview
Inline-6 Engines (M256)
The M256 straight-six represents Mercedes’ return to the legendary inline-6 layout, enhanced with EQ Boost mild hybrid technology.
- Displacement: 3.0L turbocharged
- Years: 2017–Present
- Models: S-Class, GLE, CLS, E-Class
- Known Issues: Misfire in certain models, oil leaks, high complexity in hybrid integration
Read more: Mercedes M256 Engine
V6 Engines (M272, M276)
The V6 era brought smoothness and performance, but not without reliability concerns.
| Engine | Displacement | Years | Key Models | Known Problems |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M272 | 2.5–3.5L | 2004–2015 | E-Class, C-Class, GL-Class | Balance shaft wear, intake manifold issues |
| M276 | 3.0–3.5L | 2010–2020 | E-Class, S-Class, GLE | Timing chain noise, thermostat failures |
Related reads: M272 Engine, M276 Engine
V8 Engines (M273, M278, M177, M178)
The backbone of Mercedes’ luxury and AMG performance models.
- M273 (2005–2010): 4.7L–5.5L V8, known for throttle actuator issues.
- M278 (2010–2017): Twin-turbo 4.7L, plagued by timing chain and oil leaks.
- M177/M178: AMG-tuned 4.0L twin-turbo V8, powering the C63, E63, AMG GT. Robust but expensive to maintain.
Related reads: M273 Engine, M278 Engine, M177 Engine, M178 Engine
V12 Engines (M279)
The king of refinement. Found in Maybach and S-Class V12s.
- Displacement: 6.0L twin-turbo
- Years: 2015–2022
- Models: S600, S65 AMG, Maybach S680
- Problems: Ignition coil failures, expensive maintenance, limited parts availability
Deep dive: M279 V12 Engine
Mercedes Diesel Engines
Mercedes diesels are popular in Europe, known for torque and efficiency.
| Engine | Displacement | Production | Key Models | Common Problems |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OM642 | 3.0L V6 | 2005–2020 | E-Class, ML-Class | Oil cooler leaks, swirl flap failures |
| OM651 | 2.1L I4 | 2008–2020 | C-Class, E-Class, Sprinter | Injector leaks, timing chain wear |
| OM654 | 2.0L I4 | 2016–Present | E-Class, GLE, C-Class | AdBlue system faults, injector issues |
| OM656 | 3.0L I6 | 2017–Present | S-Class, GLE, E-Class | Rare, but expensive to maintain |
Related reads: OM642 Engine, OM651 Engine, OM654 Engine, OM656 Engine
Mercedes AMG Engines
AMG powerplants push engineering to the extreme.
- M133 (2.0L I4): Found in A45 AMG, reliable but prone to turbo wear.
- M139 (2.0L I4): Current AMG 45 engine, the most powerful 2.0L in the world. Known for spark plug misfires.
- M157 (5.5L V8): Twin-turbo, used in E63 AMG, common oil leaks.
- M177/M178 (4.0L V8): Shared with AMG GT and C63 AMG, strong but complex.
Learn more: M133 Engine, M139 Engine, M157 Engine, M177 Engine
Mercedes Hybrid & EQ Power Engine
Mercedes integrates EQ Boost and EQ Power plug-in hybrids across its lineup.
- M256 EQ Boost: Inline-6 with integrated starter generator.
- M264 EQ Boost: 2.0L turbo mild hybrid.
- M260 EQ Boost: Seen in A-Class hybrids.
- High Voltage Systems: Featured in the C-Class W206 AMG EQ Power.
Related reads: M256 EQ Boost, M260 EQ Boost, M264 EQ Boost
Mercedes EQ Electric Drive Units
While not traditional engines, Mercedes EQ models use EDUs (Electric Drive Units) combining motor, inverter, and transmission.
- – EQB, EQC, EQS, EQE
- – Known issues: cooling system faults, wiring harness damage, ADS unit malfunctions.
Related reads: EQB, EQC, EQS, EQE
Comparison Table : Mercedes Engine Families
| Category | Examples | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline I4 | M270, M274, M264 | Efficient, compact | Coolant leaks, ignition issues |
| Gasoline I6 | M256 | Smooth, powerful, EQ Boost | Expensive to repair |
| Gasoline V6 | M272, M276 | Balanced power | Balance shaft/timing chain issues |
| Gasoline V8 | M273, M278, M177 | Luxury + performance | High running costs |
| Gasoline V12 | M279 | Ultimate refinement | Very costly to maintain |
| Diesel | OM651, OM654, OM656 | Fuel efficient, torque-rich | AdBlue & injector faults |
| AMG | M133, M139, M177 | Performance icons | Turbo & ignition wear |
| Hybrid/EQ | M256 EQ Boost, EDU | Future-proof tech | High complexity |
FAQs – Mercedes Engine Types
Q1: What is the most reliable Mercedes engine?
The OM642 diesel and M112/M113 older gasoline engines are often praised for reliability. Among modern engines, the M256 has good reviews if maintained well.
Q2: Which Mercedes engine should I avoid?
The M272 (balance shaft wear) and M273 (throttle actuator) are costly to repair.
Q3: What is the difference between M274 and M270?
Both are inline-4 turbo engines, but the M274 is longitudinal (C/E-Class), while the M270 is transverse (A/CLA/GLA).
Q4: What is EQ Boost?
Mercedes’ mild hybrid system that uses an integrated starter generator to provide extra torque and reduce fuel consumption.
Q5: Do Mercedes engines last 200,000 miles?
Yes, with regular maintenance. Many diesel OM642 and gasoline M112/M113 engines exceed 250k miles.
Conclusion
The diversity of Mercedes engines from compact four-cylinders to mighty V12s and futuristic electric units shows the brand’s commitment to both tradition and innovation. Whether you’re a technician, enthusiast, or owner, understanding these engines is the first step in diagnosing issues, planning maintenance, and appreciating what makes Mercedes engineering so unique.
Author
Written by Mercedes Expert
With years of hands-on experience diagnosing and repairing Mercedes-Benz systems, he brings technical depth and practical case studies to help car owners, technicians, and enthusiasts troubleshoot complex automotive issues. His work focuses on clear repair guides, OEM-level procedures, and knowledge-sharing to empower both professionals and drivers.
Last Updated: September 2025
