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10 September 2025 Mercedes W245 engines
The first-generation Mercedes B-Class (W245) was launched in 2005 as a compact family van and established itself as an innovative alternative to conventional compact cars. Over its eight-year production period, it offered a diverse Mercedes W245 engine range with various petrol and diesel variants, which were continuously further developed.
Mercedes W245 engines (2005-2012)
The first generation of the Mercedes B-Class W245 was a pioneering model for Mercedes-Benz in the compact segment and was characterized by a solid, but not always problem-free engine range. Mileage varied considerably depending on the engine type: while the robust Mercedes W245 CDI diesel engines easily reached 350,000 to 450,000 kilometers with proper maintenance, some petrol versions required costly repairs to the timing chain or turbocharger between 150,000 and 200,000 kilometers. The early supercharged engines in particular occasionally showed weaknesses in the magnetic clutch of the supercharger. The absolute top engine of this generation was the B 200 CDI with 140 hp, which optimally combined power, reliability and economy and was considered one of the most durable Mercedes engines in its class.
Mercedes W245 petrol engines (2005-2012)
The Mercedes W245 petrol engine range started with the 1.5-liter engine in the B 150 with 95 hp, followed by the 1.7-liter in the B 170 with 116 hp. Both engines proved to be reliable, but not particularly powerful. The Mercedes W245 B 180 received a 2.0-liter engine with 136 hp, which offered a good balance between performance and consumption. The supercharged variants B 170 (116 hp) and B 200 (136 hp and 193 hp respectively from 2008) used Roots superchargers for extra power. The Mercedes W245 B 200 Turbo with 193 hp was the most powerful petrol engine and used a turbocharger instead of a supercharger. However, these turbocharged Mercedes W245 engines suffered from typical problems: Magnetic clutch defects in the compressor, occasional turbocharger damage and increased oil consumption at high mileages.
Mercedes W245 diesel engines (2005-2012)
The Mercedes W245 diesels were dominated by the tried-and-tested 2.0-liter CDI engine in various performance levels. The B 180 CDI started with 109 hp, followed by the B 200 CDI with an initial 140 hp. From 2008, the output of the B 200 CDI was reduced to 136 hp, while the new B 220 CDI with 170 hp was introduced at the same time. These Mercedes W245 CDI engines were based on the proven OM 640 engine with common-rail injection and turbocharging. The Mercedes W245 B 200 CDI developed into the most reliable engine of the entire model series - especially the variants produced from 2006 onwards with optimized injection and a particulate filter as standard proved to be extremely durable and economical. These Mercedes W245 diesel engines already met the Euro 4 standard and offered an excellent combination of performance, consumption and reliability.
| Mercedes W245 engine | Power output | Fuel consumption | Typical weaknesses | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B 150 | 95 HP | 6.8-7.2 l/100km | Little power, but robust | Good |
| B 170 | 116 HP | 7.0-7.4 l/100km | Occasional timing chain | Good |
| B 180 | 136 HP | 7.2-7.6 l/100km | Solid, few problems | Very good |
| B 170 Compressor | 116 HP | 7.4-7.8 l/100km | Magnetic clutch compressor | Average |
| B 200 Compressor | 136-193 HP | 7.8-8.4 l/100km | Supercharger, oil consumption | Moderate |
| B 200 Turbo | 193 HP | 8.2-8.8 l/100km | Turbocharger, oil consumption | Moderate |
| B 180 CDI | 109 HP | 5.1-5.5 l/100km | Very robust | Very good |
| B 200 CDI | 136-140 HP | 5.3-5.7 l/100km | Extremely reliable | Very good |
| B 220 CDI | 170 HP | 5.6-6.0 l/100km | Robust, sporty | Very good |
Mercedes W245 - Facelift engines (2008-2012)
The facelift of the Mercedes W245 from 2008 brought revised engines and new variants. Reliability improved significantly, although the Mercedes W245 diesel engines remained the long-distance champions with mileages often exceeding 400,000 kilometers. The petrol engines received improvements to the timing chain and optimized turbochargers, which meant that major repairs usually only occurred after 200,000 to 250,000 kilometers. The Mercedes W245 B 200 Natural Gas Drive was introduced as an environmentally friendly alternative. The absolute highlight continued to be the B 200 CDI, now with 136 hp and even better efficiency - an engine that was regarded as the benchmark for reliability in the compact segment.
Mercedes W245 petrol engines (2008-2012)
After the facelift, the Mercedes W245 petrol engines received various improvements. The B 160 replaced the B 150 and offered slightly more power with 96 hp. The revised B 170 retained its 116 hp, but was given a more stable timing chain. The Mercedes W245 B 180 was equipped with the new 1.8-liter engine and now produced 122 hp. The compressor variants were optimized: The B 200 Kompressor received an improved magnetic clutch, but remained prone to defects. An innovation was the Mercedes W245 B 200 Natural Gas Drive (CNG) with 134 hp, which could run on natural gas and was considered particularly environmentally friendly, but had a limited network of filling stations.
Mercedes W245 diesel engines (2008-2012)
The Mercedes W245 diesel range was refined and expanded. The B 160 CDI with 82 hp was introduced as an economical entry-level variant. The proven B 180 CDI retained its 109 hp, while the B 200 CDI was throttled back to 136 hp for better efficiency. The Mercedes W245 B 220 CDI with 170 hp was added as a new top-of-the-range model. All Mercedes W245 CDI engines were fitted with an optimized particulate filter and complied with the Euro 5 standard. The B 200 CDI remained the gold standard for reliability, while the new B 220 CDI combined sporty performance with surprisingly good long-term durability.
| Mercedes W245 engine | Power output | Fuel consumption | Typical weaknesses | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B 160 | 96 HP | 6.6-7.0 l/100km | Little power | Good |
| B 170 | 116 HP | 6.8-7.2 l/100km | Improved timing chain | Very good |
| B 180 | 122 HP | 7.0-7.4 l/100km | Reliable | Very good |
| B 200 Compressor | 136 HP | 7.6-8.0 l/100km | Magnetic clutch improved | Good |
| B 200 CNG | 134 HP | 4.2 kg/100km | Limited filling station network | Good |
| B 160 CDI | 82 HP | 4.5-4.9 l/100km | Very economical, robust | Very good |
| B 180 CDI | 109 HP | 4.8-5.2 l/100km | Extremely reliable | Very good |
| B 200 CDI | 136 HP | 5.1-5.5 l/100km | Gold standard reliability | Very good |
| B 220 CDI | 170 HP | 5.4-5.8 l/100km | Sporty and robust | Very good |
Conclusion: The best Mercedes W245 engines of all generations
The development of the Mercedes W245 engines clearly demonstrates Mercedes-Benz' expertise in the diesel sector, while the petrol engines offered solid but not outstanding performance. Continuous improvement over the production period made the later models much more reliable. The Mercedes W245 established itself as a long-lasting family van with particularly powerful diesel engines.
- Best Mercedes W245 petrol engine:
The B 180 with 122 hp (facelift 2008-2012) combined sufficient power with good reliability and moderate fuel consumption without the weaknesses of the turbocharged variants.
- Best Mercedes W245 diesel engine:
The B 200 CDI with 136 hp (facelift 2008-2012) offers the best combination of performance, reliability and economy and is considered one of the most durable engines in its class.
- Best Mercedes W245 alternative drive:
The B 200 Natural Gas Drive with 134 hp was ahead of its time and offered environmentally friendly driving, but suffered from the limited infrastructure for natural gas.
For maintenance and spare parts for all Mercedes W245 variants, AUTODOC offers a comprehensive range of original and quality spare parts with fast delivery and expert advice.
