M260 (DE20LA) vs OM654
Side-by-side reliability comparison
Specifications
Character
M260 (DE20LA)
"The transverse 2.0 turbo petrol in the A 220/A 250, B 250, CLA 250, GLA 250, GLB 250 and the AMG 35 models from 2018. German guides call it robust. Its known weak point is wear of the exhaust valve seats and guides: Mercedes extended the warranty in North America to 15 years / 150,000 miles and the fix is a new cylinder head. Check for misfire codes and ask whether the head has been replaced."
OM654
"Mercedes-Benz's aluminium four-cylinder diesel from 2016 (OM654, 1.6-2.0 litres, 116-265 hp; OM654M with 48-volt mild hybrid from 2021) in the A, B, C, E, CLA, GLA, GLC, GLE and V-Class. Smooth, frugal and clean, but not trouble-free: the roller rocker arms can wear out at about 100,000-120,000 km (stronger parts from mid-2018), and the timing chain sits at the gearbox end, so a stretched chain is an expensive job. Most cars built 2017-2021 were recalled for a coolant pump that can leak into the vacuum system (fire risk). The particulate filter and EGR need motorway runs; short trips dilute the oil with diesel. Ask for the recall and rocker-arm history."