M112 vs M113 — Reliability Comparison

Specifications

M112

M113

Brand

Mercedes-Benz

Verdict

BUY

BEST

Reliability

84

89

Years

1997--2006

1997--2010

Displacement

3199 cc

4966 cc

Layout

V6

V8

Type

Petrol Na

Power

170--245 hp

272--367 hp

Known Issues

7

Total Risk Cost

€1,280--€3,625

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."

M113

"The V8 workshops call indestructible. Valve-cover gaskets weep and the crank sensor dies when hot; otherwise 250,000 miles is routine. Supercharged E55 ML (476-500 PS) is a different animal and not covered here."

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

M113 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

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

M113 10

S-Class W220 1998--2005 E-Class W210 1997--2002 CLK W209 2002--2006 SL R230 2001--2006 S-Class W220 1998--2005 E-Class W211 2002--2006 E-Class W210 1997--2002 C-Class W203 2004--2007 SL R230 2002--2008 E-Class W211 2003--2006