M271 EVO (CGI turbo)
Mercedes-Benz · 1.8L CGI Turbo I4
2009–2015
"Turbo CGI successor to the Kompressor. Toothed chain fixed the stretch problem, but camshaft adjusters and tensioner wear early — Mercedes extended the adjuster warranty to 10 years in the US. Budget for the timing job."
Mileage Risk Timeline
When problems typically appear — enter your mileage to see your risk zone
Known Issues 3
Camshaft adjuster and tensioner wear — timing drift, chain can jump
▸Rattle for 2–8 seconds on cold start, codes P0016/P0017/P0011/P0340, camshaft adaptation above 3° in XENTRY, tensioner position above 60%
Adjuster sprocket teeth and hydraulic tensioner wear out early (recorded from 40,000 mi). If ignored the chain jumps and bends all 16 valves. Mercedes USA extended the adjuster warranty to 10 years/120,000 mi (TSB Oct 2020); in Europe only 50% goodwill is reported. Independent repair £1,500+ / mid four-digit EUR for the full set, dealer 30–40% more.
No EU recall — Greek owners pay. Ask for the invoice of camshaft adjusters + chain + tensioner (kit A 271 050 21 00 80). Test a cold start before buying; Greek stop-start city driving means more cold starts per km.
Camshaft sensor magnets leak oil into wiring harness and ECU
▸Oil visible at the camshaft magnet plugs, oil wicking inside the engine harness connectors, intermittent cam-sensor codes
Magnet seals fail and oil creeps up the harness toward the ECU. Fix early with new magnets (~€33 each) and oil-stop cables (A2711502733); an oil-soaked ECU connector is the expensive outcome.
Cheap if caught early — check the magnet plugs at every oil change.
Intake-valve carbon build-up (direct injection)
▸Rough cold idle, misfires on cold start, loss of low-end torque, borescope shows deposits
Direct injection means no fuel washes the intake valves. Walnut-blast cleaning around 80,000–130,000 km restores running.
Short city trips in Greece accelerate deposits — a car used only in Athens traffic will need this earlier.
Models with M271 EVO (CGI turbo) 5
Related Guides
Other Mercedes-Benz Engines
Tuning Potential
Stage 1 ~230hp; stock timing components are the limit
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz M271 EVO (CGI turbo) reliable?
The Mercedes-Benz M271 EVO (CGI turbo) scores 58/100 with a verdict of CAUTION. It has 3 documented issues with total repair costs between €1,950 and €5,500.
What are the common problems with the M271 EVO (CGI turbo)?
The most common issues are:
- Camshaft adjuster and tensioner wear — timing drift, chain can jump — critical, repair cost €1,500–€4,000, 50,000 km–160,000 km
- Camshaft sensor magnets leak oil into wiring harness and ECU — moderate, repair cost €150–€800, N/A–N/A
- Intake-valve carbon build-up (direct injection) — moderate, repair cost €300–€700, 80,000 km–130,000 km
What cars use the Mercedes-Benz M271 EVO (CGI turbo)?
How much does it cost to repair the M271 EVO (CGI turbo)?
Total potential repair costs for all 3 known issues range from €1,950 to €5,500. The most expensive issue is typically Camshaft adjuster and tensioner wear — timing drift, chain can jump.
What years was the M271 EVO (CGI turbo) produced?
The Mercedes-Benz M271 EVO (CGI turbo) was produced from 2009 to 2015. It is a 1796cc I4 petrol turbo engine.
Scores are calculated from documented issues, repair costs, and failure patterns across thousands of owner reports and technical sources. Learn about our methodology. Always inspect before you buy.