M112 vs M104

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
M104 BEST 85/100
+1 points over M112
0 / 100
BUY M112 Mercedes-Benz
0 / 100
BEST M104 Mercedes-Benz

Specifications

M112
M104
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Verdict
BUY
BEST
Reliability
84
85
Years
1997--2006
1990--1997
Displacement
3199 cc
3199 cc
Layout
V6
I6
Type
Petrol Na
Petrol Na
Power
170--245 hp
193--231 hp
Known Issues
7
1
Total Risk Cost
€1,280--€3,625
€500--€2,000

Character

M112

"Three-valve V6 from the last simple Mercedes era. Nothing expensive inside; the harmonic balancer rubber and the crank sensor are the two things to check. Runs for ever on synthetic oil."

M104

"W124/R129/W140 inline-6. One of Mercedes' most reliable engines. Bulletproof bottom end. Wiring harness biodegrades (uses soy-based insulation). Head gasket solid. 400k+ km possible."

Issues Comparison

M112 7

▲ HIGH
Harmonic balancer (crank pulley) rubber delaminates €280--€650 N/A--N/A
● MODERATE
Oil leaks — valve-cover gaskets, front crank seal (V6), rear main seal (V8) N/A--N/A N/A--N/A
● MODERATE
Air suspension / Airmatic failure (S/ML models) €600--€2,000 100,000 km--180,000 km
○ MINOR
Oil sludge from conventional oil on long FSS intervals (MY1998-2001) N/A--N/A N/A--N/A
○ MINOR
Crankshaft position sensor fails when hot — stall or hot no-start €50--€125 N/A--N/A
○ MINOR
Spark plugs + ignition coils (V6/V8) €200--€500 80,000 km--150,000 km
○ MINOR
Coolant system: water pump, thermostat, expansion tank €150--€350 100,000 km--180,000 km

M104 1

▲ HIGH
Wiring harness biodegradation €500--€2,000 100,000 km--200,000 km

Models

M112 12

E-Class W210 1997--2002 C-Class W203 2001--2005 E-Class W211 2002--2005 E-Class W210 1997--2002 C-Class W202 1997--2000 S-Class W220 1998--2005 E-Class W210 1997--2002 C-Class W203 2001--2005 CLK W209 2002--2005 S-Class W220 1998--2005 ML 320 W163 1997--2005 SUV ML 350 W163 2003--2005 SUV

M104 0

No models listed.

Full M112 Report Full M104 Report