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9 September 2025 Mercedes S211 engines
From 2003 to 2009, the Mercedes E-Class S211 established itself as the luxury touring variant of the W211 generation and offered an impressive range of engines from economical diesels to powerful V8 units. This generation marked a turning point in Mercedes engine technology with the introduction of state-of-the-art common-rail diesels and powerful V6 and V8 petrol engines.
Mercedes S211 engines (2003-2009)
The Mercedes S211 generation was characterized by technological innovations which, however, did not always lead to optimum reliability. While the proven Mercedes S211 engines, such as the OM642 V6 diesel, easily reached 400,000 to 500,000 kilometers with proper maintenance, some petrol units showed costly problems after only 150,000 to 200,000 kilometers. The early M272 V6 engines in particular suffered from balancer shaft problems and valve cover gaskets, which had to be replaced between 120,000 and 180,000 kilometers. The absolute top engine of this generation was the OM642 3.0-liter V6 diesel with 224 hp, which perfectly combined power, reliability and economy. Mercedes introduced the 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission for the first time, which, together with the modern engines, provided a new dimension in driving comfort.
Mercedes S211 petrol engines (2003-2009)
The Mercedes S211 petrol engine range comprised a wide selection of four, six and eight-cylinder engines. The entry-level engine was the M271 four-cylinder with a displacement of 1.8 liters and supercharging (163 hp), but this was only available in the first few years. The main load was borne by the V6 engines of the M272 series: the E280 with 231 hp and the E350 with 272 hp dominated the range. These Mercedes S211 engines were technically advanced with direct injection and variable valve timing, but suffered from typical problems of the early M272 generation. Particularly critical were the balancer shafts, whose bearings failed between 100,000 and 150,000 kilometers and could cause engine damage. The most powerful petrol engine was the M113 5.4-liter V8 in the E55 AMG with 476 hp, which despite its complexity is considered one of the most reliable high-performance engines of this era.
Mercedes S211 diesel engines (2003-2009)
The Mercedes S211 diesels were initially dominated by the proven OM647 2.7-liter five-cylinder in the E270 CDI with 177 hp (2003-2005), but this was quickly replaced by the more modern OM642 V6 diesel. The OM642 3.0-liter V6 diesel established itself as the heart of the diesel range with various output levels: 211 hp in the E320 CDI and 224 hp in the E280 CDI. These Mercedes S211 engines were characterized by exceptionally smooth running, high reliability and low fuel consumption. The OM642 developed into the best engine of the entire S211 generation - especially the variants produced from 2005 onwards with optimized common rail injection and improved exhaust gas recirculation proved to be extremely durable. Typical problems were limited to wearing glow plugs and occasional EGR valve coking after high mileage.
Mercedes S211 AMG engines (2003-2009)
The Mercedes S211 AMG variants offered spectacular performance with the M113 5.4-liter V8 in the E55 AMG (476 hp) and later the M156 6.2-liter V8 in the E63 AMG (514 hp). The M113 with supercharging was considered very reliable, while the M156, despite its impressive performance, occasionally had problems with the valve seat rings. These Mercedes S211 engines represented the pinnacle of AMG technology at the time.
| Mercedes S211 engine | Power output | Fuel consumption | Typical weaknesses | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M271 1.8 Compressor | 163 HP | 8.2-8.8 l/100km | Supercharger, timing chain | Average |
| M272 V6 2.5/3.0/3.5 | 204-272 HP | 8.5-10.2 l/100km | Balancer shafts, valve covers | Moderate |
| M113 V8 5.4 AMG | 476 HP | 12.8-13.5 l/100km | Very robust by AMG standards | Good |
| M156 V8 6.2 AMG | 514 HP | 13.2-14.1 l/100km | Valve seat inserts | Average |
| OM647 2.7 CDI | 177 HP | 6.8-7.2 l/100km | Injectors, swirl flaps | Good |
| OM642 V6 3.0 CDI | 211-224 HP | 6.2-7.1 l/100km | EGR valve, glow plugs | Very good |
Conclusion: The best Mercedes S211 engines of all generations
The Mercedes S211 engines showed clear differences in their reliability and long-term suitability. While the diesel engines, especially the OM642 V6 diesel, were considered exceptionally robust and economical, the early M272 petrol engines struggled with design-related weaknesses. The AMG engines offered spectacular performance with acceptable reliability for high-performance units.
- Best Mercedes S211 gasoline engine:
The M113 5.4-liter V8 AMG combined impressive performance with high reliability by AMG standards and proved to be long-lasting.
- Best Mercedes S211 diesel engine:
The OM642 3.0-liter V6 diesel (224 hp) offered the perfect combination of performance, economy, smoothness and exceptional reliability.
- Most reliable Mercedes S211 engine:
The OM642 V6 diesel established itself as by far the best engine of the entire S211 generation with mileages regularly exceeding 400,000 kilometers.
For maintenance and spare parts for all Mercedes S211 generations, AUTODOC offers a comprehensive range of original and quality spare parts with fast delivery and expert advice.
