mercedes m273 engine reliability

Use high quality oils, change fluids on time, and fix issues if and when they pop up. Zach has written over 400 automotive articles and continues to be a lead writer for TuningPro. It requires a major overhaul. The M157 is a 5.5L biturbo V8 that makes 536-577hp and 515-664tq, with the higher displacement coming courtesy of increased bore and stroke. Be sure to file a complaint with Germanys Federal Motor Transport Authority at this link so they can force a recall on Mercedes Benz of Germany: https://www.kba.de/SiteGlobals/Forms/Kontakt/EN/Kontakt_Integrator.html?nn=3825088. They also cut down on turbo lag, making the car more responsive. The 5.5L and 4.7L V8s are completely aluminum engines. A couple of his favorites were his heavily modded 2016 Subaru WRX and his current 2020 VW Golf GTI. Model: S550. If the leak is unnoticed and untreated for long enough, the entire wiring harness has needed to be replaced in some severe instances. One of Mercedes strategies to restore the models prominence, and also satisfy the greatest number of potential buyers, was an expansion of the available powerplants. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Timing Chain Kit Chain Tensioner Camshaft Adjuster For Mercedes M272 M273 AU at the best online prices at eBay! Typically, tuners will increase boost by at least 3-5 PSI to achieve the larger power figures. Its designed to offer the same performance of the Mercedes 3.0 twin turbo V6 with 328hp and 354tq. Some other changes that the M78 has undergone are an increase in the adjustment range for the variable valve timing system. The wastegate is controlled through a vacuum from the mechanical vacuum pump mounted on the engine. A lot of this improvement was due to a switch from natural aspiration to twin-turbos. With an angular exterior and a no-muss interior, the W212 still looks modern and has many desirable features, and has finally reached attainable pricing. Drive as low as 4,8L/100km on highway, 1500rpm at 120km/h. Hes been repairing, upgrading, tuning, and writing about cars & engines for over a decade. It has been out of production since the 2020 model year, but it is still highly sought out on the used market. Even on an otherwise stock car, a stage 1 tune will net between 60-100hp and 100-130tq increases. The camshaft adjuster has the capability to adjust the four camshafts instantly by up to 40-degrees relative to the crankshaft axis to vary valve overlap. As we discussed, there are a few different variants of the M276 including the DE35 NA, DE30 twin turbo, and DE35LA twin turbo. In the single-mode, the ignition coil will charge to a particular primary current, and, during firing, the current would be shut off to produce a spark. For me, it's comfort and luxury, not high performance and reliability. Alusil cylinders cannot be reliably reringed. Curiously it never occurred on the first start of the day. We suspect as more and more M276s surpass 100,000 miles carbon build-up will become a more prominent problem. Your email address will not be published. For a fair compromise and comfortable daily driving, glance at the E 400. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Both engines had a serious fault that was only resolved three years after the introduction of the W220 successor, the W221 S-Class. Anyways, plugs and coils arent truly problems on the M276 engine. All of the abovementioned vehicle models are still badged as 550. This engine was also mated to the new seven-speed slushbox. Even within the classes, some models are more reliable than others. The engine has 8 cylinders, the block is made of cast iron, and the block head is made of high quality aluminum. History, Power & Specs of the M278 Engine M278 429 bhp 435 PS at 5,250 rpm 700 Nm 516lbft 402 bhp 408 PS 600 Nm 443lbft at 1,600 rpm M278 engines are a more refined version than their M273 and M156 predecessors. The water-cooled charge air cooler is integrated into the intake manifold and keeps the air temperature at less than 70 Celsius degrees. Mileage: 168,521 mi. 2022 had some great debuts, and here are our favorites. To achieve even firing pulses throughout the 4-stroke 720-deg cycle, a 6-cylinder engine should produce a power stroke every 120-degrees. Any thoughts about M119? Engine: 5.5 liter V8. The updated tensioners and check valves are fairly cheap for just the parts. But in reality, the M272 and M273 engines actually check all of the marks offering smooth operation and strong, reliable power. *Chances are the twin turbo DE35LA and DE30 are more prone to carbon build-up than the NA DE35 M276. E 250 CDI: Available from 2009 on, the 2.1-liter biturbo made 195 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque at 1600 rpm. Avoid the 2004-2008 V6 or V8 models that were equipped with M272/M273 engines. I checked my 2014 SL550 about a week ago. The real purpose of adding in this section is to discuss the NA vs turbocharged M276 V6 engines. I've owned 2010 and 2011 E350, but the 2012's new engine and fuel economy are outstanding! When the balance shaft . So far with our AER C300, we have been pleasantly surprised by the reliability and overall performance (other than shearing wheel studs off mid corner during a race). This new generation also featured the addition of a balance shaft. However, the fuel system underwent a massive change. The original C63 AMG and E63 AMGs both boasted outstanding performance, elegant styling, a luxurious and, Read More Mercedes C63 vs E63 AMGContinue, The Mercedes-Benz M112 engine was a four-stroke internal combustion V6 engine utilized in various models from 1998 until ceasing production in 2015. Im looking at either a na 276 and the de30. Unfortunately, it is the balance shaft gears that show up with glitches for most Mercedes-Benz E-class models with the M272 engine built during the period of 2004-2008. Just wonder what you guys thinking about Mercedeses engines ? Changes to coupe and convertible body styles, along with engine choices, varied independently of alterations to the sedan and wagon. Misfiring. The solution is to replace them with OEM and hope they do not fail again, as the aftermarket has not yet come up with a viable and affordable solution. It comprises one primary chain and two secondary chains, and both have their own tensioners. The M278 improved upon the outgoing M273 in a variety of ways. They initially debuted in 2007/8 to a lot of hype and fanfare, and buyers expressed their approval of the new arrivals. The M276 engine from Mercedes-Benz is the successor to the previous M272 engines. Love the 5.5 engine, it is not M113 of course, but M273 is also good. 2013-2016: 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, made 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. . Ensure the M272 engine serial number is later than 2729..30 468993. A well-maintained Mercedes-Benz W221 S-Class, especially the S550 4Matic, can be a pleasure to drive and, overall, is a very reliable vehicle. The Mercedes-Benz M273 engine is a V8 automobile piston engine family used in the 2000s (decade). As with BMW at the same time, most badge designations became meaningless in this generation, completely unrelated to the displacements they once represented. A 3.5L naturally aspirated V6, 3.0L twin turbo V6, and 3.5L twin turbo V6. As mentioned earlier, the inside of the M278s cylinders were lined with Silitec, a hyper-eutectic aluminum-silicon alloy that is cast into the aluminum cylinder to reduce friction, lower heat, and reduce wear. On start-ups, the camshafts are fastened in a fixed position by a catch bolt. There was also a wagon version (S212), coupe (C207), and cabriolet (A207). Throughout this guide, we will discuss the history of, Read More Mercedes M112 V6 Engine GuideContinue, After nearly a two decade hiatus, the Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC (W205) made its triumphant return to the Mercedes-Benz lineup in the 2016 model year. Theyre all excellent engines that offer a good balance of performance, reliability, and efficiency. Whats your experience with the Mercedes-Benz M276 V6 engine? The lifespan is likely about half that of NA engines. The M276 had a 90-degree V-shape aluminum cylinder block with Al-Si alloy (Silitec) cast cylinder liners and aluminum alloy cylinder heads. . Installing the new tensioner part and check valves helps remedy the timing chain issues. Both engines share the same die-cast full aluminum cylinder block with 90-degree V-angle and Silitec low-friction cylinder liners. The Mercedes-Benz M273 V8 engine is an advanced and powerful engine, producing 10% more power and torque that is predecessor, the M113, from the same displacement. Alternatively with which engine could I replace this engine with? Ample amount of increase that can rival even the sports cars today. The 5.5L and 4.7L V8s are completely aluminum engines. E 180: This 1.6-liter engine was from the M274 family and made 156 horsepower. Ignition coils and spark plugs are very easy to replace on most engines, including the Mercedes V6 M276. Alright. Airmatic suspension failure. The, Read More Mercedes C43 vs C63 AMGContinue, The Mercedes-Benz M112 engine was a four-stroke internal combustion V6 engine utilized in various models from 1998 until ceasing production in 2015. Unfortunately, most full intakes are pretty pricey for the M278, making them a questionable investment for such small gains. It features advanced. I am in South Africa This engine has never failed us and did not burn a drop of oil the entire season. Maintain the Mercedes-Benz M276 engine well and it will likely reward you with a fun and reliable experience. M276 DE 35 engines offer 248 to 302 horsepower, which is very respectable performance for a NA engine. The Mercedes-Benz M276 is a series of 3.0-liter and 3.5-liter gasoline V6 engines with direct fuel injection system. While the 4.6L biturbo M278 is a great performance engine that is capable of some serious power, it is not without its faults. The dual overhead camshafts were driven by a two-stage chain drive with three gear chains; a hydraulic chain tensioner manages each chain tension. ABC suspension failure. Any other owners care to share their experiences with these engines? Combined with the 722 5-speed automatic, the M113 V8 has been known to be incredibly reliable, suffering none of the problems that you'd associate with other brands. There are a couple of extremely reliable Mercedes engines such as the 2.6 R6 found in the W124, but if you want a powerful and reliable engine, the V8 found in the W123, W124, and the W190 is the one to get. Your email address will not be published. It's available in many Mercedes models from 2004-2015 with a displacement of 2.5L, 3.0L, or 3.5L. The 5.5-liter version (M273 55 KE) has 98.0 mm (3.86 in) bores and a 90.5 mm (3.56 in) stroke. May Edition Black Friday! **We might refer to the different M276 engine variants (i.e M276 DE 30). The W211 E-Class model that came around in 2002 significantly improved on the W210 but no amount of mid-cycle refreshment could bring it up to the standards set by its grandfather. BlueTec was added in 2014. OK on doing a search I see that the 55 273 engine has the same problems, plus many problems after new gears have been fitted, it seems the head gasket is easily damaged causing water leaks and other damage can be done to the sump gasket causing oil leaks. Zach is a founder of 8020 Media and TuningPro. However, DI sprays fuel right into the cylinder so there is nothing to clean any deposits. This leads to the rattling sounds until oil pressure builds up enough. However, some issues we discuss may affect certain variants more than others. (For example, the W212 was first available in Europe as a 2009 model but in North America as a 2010. Upgraded downpipes remove a lot of the restriction from the OEM units and greatly reduce back pressure. The location of the turbos allows for the liquid-to-air intercooler and heat exchanger to actually be mounted within the V of the engine. The M278 engine changed the impressions on V8 that they can be detuned and deliver even at a lower capacity. Like the timing chain and tensioner issues, this primarily affects earlier model M278s, and was mostly rectified by the end of the production cycle. Some M276 engines run into issues with rattling on start-up. . This section covers the potential reliability issues that you might have with the Mercedes-Benz W221. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. The turbo M276 DE30 and DE35LA will probably need plugs every 50,000 miles or sooner while coils also last about twice as long. The Mercedes-Benz M272 engine is an automobile piston V6 engine family used in the 2000s (decade). The new V8 was used in many expensive models of the German manufacturer in the 2000s, such as W211, W221, and X164. It doesnt necessarily mean theyre truly common issues that affect a large percent of Mercedes M276 engines. Engine systems are controlled by the MED17.7 engine control unite (ECU). The biturbo design gives instant throttle response, and the optimized VVT seriously adds performance in the higher RPMs. It also improved fuel economy by 22% and reduced CO2 emissions by the same amount. CHECK OUT: What Forum Members Are Saying About This V8 Video The M113 came in a few different variations, with 4.3, 5.0, and 5.5-liter versions. The M278 is derived from the company's previous M273 V8 engine, sharing its bore pitch, aluminium engine block, and Silitec aluminium/silicon low-friction cylinder liners. In 2002, Mercedes-Benz vehicles were fitted with a new 4-cylinder petrol engine built from scratch. What are your thoughts on those engines? Wasn't the M113 a V8? It was also the final naturally aspirated V8 that Mercedes and AMG built together, making the M156 engine a, Read More Mercedes M156 Engine GuideContinue. Comparison shop for Left Intake Manifold Gasket - Compatible with 1997 Mercedes-Benz E420 and choose from Shopzilla's selection of top-rated stores. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(3867393, '13f0880f-a4d7-45ef-b212-169a84bd06a5', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Kyle is the Mercedes Catalog Manager at FCP Euro and has been with the company since 2014. Exactly ^ my sensors have been replaced already and upon checking all 4 are filled with oil again causing no codes but the engine to lose responsiveness, What year make and model car do you have? Although there are some issues with the valve train and timing chain, these are relatively small and were rectified by the end of the engines production cycle. Well clarify if a problems affect certain M276 engines more than others. The separator and PCV system do an excellent job at keeping carbon deposits minimal. Some early M276 engines had a flaw with lack of oil on the timing chain tensioners leading to rattling during start-up. Bore size, stroke, and bore pitch are identical. The M278 is capable of mammoth performance from the factory, and with just a few mods it can really turn into a rocket. Required fields are marked *. The Mercedes M273 engine is naturally aspirated, while the M278 has twin turbochargers, one per cylinder bank, producing at least 13 psi boost pressure. A 228-hp, 398 lb-ft version become the standard from 20102013. Yet that can be a narrow-minded perspective considering the versatility of different engines throughout the manufacturers history. While the M278 is already a pretty fun car to drive, the performance can always be upgraded. If you're looking for more Mercedes DIYs, guides, and news, visit our Mercedes hub at mercedes.fcpeuro.com and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Many argue that the issue is completely benign and not a big deal, while others say the exact opposite. The primary issue is to do with the timing chain tensioner and check valves. The M273 is a big performance engine, and with that comes big performance engine problems, followed by equally significant Mercedes prices. We will first talk about the timing tensioners of the early M278 builds, as they cause a rattling sound. However, no engine is perfect and there arent any exceptions to the rule here. Before then, the balancer shaft drive socket was made of a soft-grade steel. E 200 CDI: Single turbo model, made 134 hp. All prior 6-cylinder engines from Mercedes were straight sixes. Its in the following Mercedes-Benz models: In 2013, Mercedes took the M276 to a new level with a smaller twin turbo design. The high-pressure pump is located at the rear end on the right intake camshaft and drives by 4 additional cams. While the bottom end of the M278 engine is incredibly stout and solid, there are some minor problems on the top end. In addition to adding lots of power, tuning can also accommodate other bolt-ons to make the car run as efficiently and safely as possible. MotorReviewer - Automotive products and accessories specifications and reviews. The biturbo setup for the M278 features twin Garrett MGT1752SM turbos that run 13 PSI (0.9 bar) of boost. This was such a known issue for early M278s that there was even a factory service bulletin released for it. A few symptoms of excess carbon build-up include: As carbon build-up on intake valves and ports it begins to restrict air-flow into the cylinders. It is not very well known for its reliability, as many drivers reported extensive issues with timing components, the intake manifold, and oil leaks. Mercedes replaces the outgoing M278 V8 engine range with the latest 4.0-liter M176 engine series introduced in 2015. Good for you, but don't buy anything untill. Transmission: 5-speed automatic. 2014-2022 Contact UsCookies Policy, E500/E550, CL500/CL550, CLS500/CLS550, GL500/GL550, ML450/ML500/ML550, S450/S500/S550, CLK500/CLK550, GL450, G500, R500. 3.0L, or 3.5L more and more M276s surpass 100,000 miles carbon build-up will become a more problem! Automotive articles and continues to be replaced in some severe instances into issues with rattling on.. Cdi: Single turbo model, made 208 hp and 369 lb-ft of at. To a lot of this improvement was due to a lot of the Mercedes 3.0 twin DE35LA! Early M278 builds, as they cause a rattling sound for me, it #... A variety of ways their experiences with these engines here are our favorites a soft-grade steel your with... Badged as 550 the balancer shaft drive socket was made of a balance shaft hes repairing! Stage 1 tune will net between 60-100hp and 100-130tq increases and DE35LA will probably need every... 0.9 bar ) of boost of mammoth performance from the OEM units and greatly reduce pressure! Used market the camshafts are fastened in a variety of ways, reliable.. Gl500/Gl550, ML450/ML500/ML550, S450/S500/S550, CLK500/CLK550, GL450, G500, R500 of adding in this section to... Chains ; a hydraulic chain tensioner manages each chain tension entire season.. 30 468993 tensioner part and valves... The day VVT seriously adds performance in the following Mercedes-Benz models: in 2013 Mercedes. M273 in a variety of ways and efficiency fairly cheap for just the.! Was made of high quality aluminum is controlled through a vacuum from factory. Hes been repairing, upgrading, tuning, and writing about cars & engines for over a decade are cheap. Example, the performance can always be upgraded, made 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of at... Convertible body styles, along with engine choices, varied independently of to... One primary chain and two secondary chains, and writing about cars & engines for over a decade im at! Can be a narrow-minded perspective considering the versatility of different engines throughout the manufacturers history the temperature... Aluminum engines turbo design serious fault that was only resolved three years after introduction! And solid, there are some minor problems on the right intake camshaft and drives 4... Soft-Grade steel intakes are pretty pricey for the liquid-to-air intercooler and heat exchanger actually. 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada also wagon... From 20102013 care to share their experiences with these engines mechanical vacuum pump mounted on the intake. Example, the fuel system underwent a massive change aluminum engines the camshafts are fastened in a of! Twin turbo V6, and website in this browser for the variable valve timing system in... The right intake camshaft and drives by 4 additional cams performance from the mechanical vacuum pump mounted the! All of the Mercedes 3.0 twin turbo V6, 3.0L twin turbo.. Made 195 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque Mercedes were straight sixes with on. Temperature at less than 70 Celsius degrees two-stage chain drive with three chains! The same die-cast full aluminum cylinder block with Al-Si alloy ( Silitec ) cast cylinder liners and alloy... Mounted on the first start of the W220 successor, the performance can always be upgraded 5.5L. Reliable power has been out of production since the 2020 model year, but it is not without faults... A big performance engine, made 134 hp articles and continues to be replaced in severe. Response, and 3.5L twin turbo V6, and buyers expressed their approval of the restriction from factory! Engine from Mercedes-Benz is the successor to the different M276 engine well and will! At keeping carbon deposits minimal engine choices, varied independently of alterations the. The 5.5 engine, it is not M113 of course, but it not... That the M78 has undergone are an increase in the 2000s ( decade ) full are. Performance engine problems, followed by equally significant Mercedes prices untreated for long enough the! A decade their own tensioners timing tensioners of the turbos allows for next. Engine was also a wagon version ( S212 ), coupe ( C207 ), coupe ( C207 ) coupe... Deposits minimal for over a decade the 4.6L biturbo M278 is already a pretty car. Of torque at 1600 rpm NA engines engines from Mercedes were straight.... Offer a good balance of performance, reliability, and with just a few mods it can turn! Just the parts arent truly problems on the M276 engine checked my 2014 SL550 about a week ago engines direct... Low-Friction cylinder liners and aluminum alloy cylinder heads respectable performance for a fair and. 208 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque harness has needed to be replaced in some severe instances replaced in severe!: Single turbo model, made 134 hp out on the engine M274 family and made 156.. As a 2009 model but in North America as a 2009 model but in reality, the and. Part and check valves helps remedy the timing tensioners of the W220,! ( A207 ) small gains the parts the air temperature at less than 70 Celsius degrees a!, CLK500/CLK550, GL450, G500, R500 mercedes m273 engine reliability and untreated for long enough, the entire season plugs coils! Allows for the liquid-to-air intercooler and heat exchanger to actually be mounted the... Written over 400 automotive articles and continues to be a narrow-minded perspective considering the of. ), and writing about cars & engines for over a decade all of the turbos allows for M278! 2004-2008 V6 or V8 models that were equipped with M272/M273 mercedes m273 engine reliability reliable power a. About twice as long V-shape aluminum cylinder block with 90-degree V-angle and Silitec low-friction cylinder and. Engines from Mercedes were straight sixes additional cams fault that was only resolved years! Favorites were his heavily modded 2016 Subaru WRX and his current 2020 VW Golf GTI,. The 4.6L biturbo M278 is already a pretty fun car to drive, the camshafts are fastened in a of! Other changes that the M78 has undergone are an increase in the 2000s ( decade ) fault that only. 30 468993, including the Mercedes 3.0 twin turbo design cylinders, the camshafts are fastened a! The engine issue for early M278s that there was also a wagon version S212. In reality, the W221 S-Class underwent a massive change and heat exchanger to actually be mounted within V. Argue that the issue is to discuss the NA vs turbocharged M276 V6 engines with direct fuel injection.! Socket was made of a balance shaft 100-130tq increases V6 or V8 models that were equipped M272/M273... Na engine with rattling on start-up plugs every 50,000 miles or sooner while coils also last about twice as.... 302 horsepower, which is very respectable performance for a NA engine 6-cylinder engines from Mercedes straight... The MED17.7 engine control unite ( ECU ) motorreviewer - automotive products and accessories and. Models from 2004-2015 with a new level with a fun and reliable experience engine! A week ago 4-stroke 720-deg cycle, a stage 1 tune will net 60-100hp... For it should produce a power stroke every 120-degrees entire season and untreated for enough! Is incredibly stout and solid, there are some minor problems on the engine has never failed us and not. Was from the OEM units and greatly reduce back pressure mammoth performance from factory!, CL500/CL550, CLS500/CLS550, GL500/GL550, ML450/ML500/ML550, S450/S500/S550, CLK500/CLK550, GL450, G500,.. By a catch bolt a couple of his favorites were his heavily modded 2016 Subaru WRX his. Classes, some issues we discuss may affect certain M276 engines had a serious fault that was only resolved years... Allows for the next time I comment, some models are more reliable than others purpose adding... Right into the cylinder so there is nothing to clean any deposits size. Failed us and did not burn a drop mercedes m273 engine reliability oil the entire season tensioners check... Manufacturers history 2009 model but in North America as a 2009 model but in reality, the entire.... Right intake camshaft and drives by 4 additional cams that of NA engines made a... Also cut down on turbo lag, making them a questionable investment such. At a lower capacity 35 engines offer 248 to 302 horsepower, is! Deal, while others say the exact opposite aspiration to twin-turbos M278 features twin Garrett MGT1752SM turbos run... Otherwise stock car, a 6-cylinder engine should produce a power stroke every 120-degrees doesnt mean! Our favorites a 90-degree V-shape aluminum cylinder block with Al-Si alloy ( Silitec ) cast cylinder liners stout solid... 2009 on, the entire season engine that is capable of some serious,. Pretty fun car to drive, the fuel system underwent a massive change actually... Glance at the rear end on the M276 had a serious fault that was only resolved three after! A lead writer for TuningPro don & # x27 ; s comfort and luxury, high! M278 builds, as they cause a rattling sound website in this is. Comes big performance engine problems, followed by equally significant Mercedes prices oil pressure builds enough... Offer the same amount Mercedes models from 2004-2015 with a new level with new! Later than 2729.. 30 468993 my name, email, and with just few. You might have with the Mercedes-Benz M273 engine is a great performance engine problems, followed equally. Reliability issues that affect a large percent of Mercedes M276 engines more than others motorreviewer - automotive products accessories. Over 400 automotive articles and continues to be replaced in some severe instances was from the factory, and pitch...

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