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Mercedes-Benz

E63 AMG

W211· 2006-2009 sedan Caution

Top issues

8 known problems · 2 high
high
Cylinder head bolt failure
Any
high
Camshaft lobe and valve lifter wear
Any
medium
Airmatic suspension leaks and strut wear
Owner-reported: typically beyond 100,000km
All 8 problems ↓ Inspection checklist →

At this odometer

See which of this car's known problems are due at that mileage, which should already have been dealt with, and what's coming up.

Generations

Best and worst years for the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG →

Before: E55 AMG W211 (2002-2006, supercharged 5.4L M113)
Body styles
Sedan, Wagon (S211 Estate)
Drivetrain
RWD
Origin
Germany
Built in
Germany (Sindelfingen)

Overview

The facelifted W211 E-Class brought the E63 AMG to Australia in September 2006, replacing the supercharged E55. It uses the hand-built 6.2L M156 V8 (badged '6.3') with a 7-speed automatic. It was launched at $227,600 for the sedan, with the Estate about $6,000 more. Australian cars have AIRMATIC air suspension, but NOT the Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) that the earlier E55 had: the facelift dropped SBC for a conventional hydraulic 'Adaptive Brake' system, so the 2004-2005 SBC recalls do not apply to the E63. The M156 in these cars falls inside the head-bolt bulletin range, and the camshaft/lifter wear bulletin also applies, so a buyer needs evidence of what has been done, not just a clean test drive. Running costs are high: brakes, tyres and air suspension are all AMG-priced. Check the VIN on Mercedes-Benz Australia's recall lookup before buying, and see sources for recalls we could not confirm from an official notice.

Engines & variants

6.2L M156 V8 (E63 AMG)

Engine
Hand-built AMG naturally aspirated DOHC V8, 4 valves per cylinder
Engine code
M156
Config
V8 NA
Displacement
6208cc
Power
378kW @ 6800rpm
Torque
630Nm @ 5200rpm
Drivetrain
RWD
0–100
4.5s
Economy
14.3 L/100km combined (sedan; carsales lists 14.5 for the Estate)
Tow (braked)
1900kg (unverified)
Tow (unbraked)
750kg (unverified)
Transmission
7G-Tronic 7AT (AMG-tuned, paddle shift)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven

Pros

  • Huge naturally aspirated V8 with a linear, loud soundtrack
  • Genuine 4.5s car in a sedan or Estate body
  • Adaptive air suspension with three damper modes gives a comfortable ride when healthy
  • Priced at $227,600 new, so heavy depreciation has made it cheap to buy (running costs are not)
  • No SBC brake-by-wire to worry about, unlike the E55

Cons

  • Head-bolt and cam/lifter risk sits inside the M156 bulletin range
  • Around 14L/100km, more in town
  • Airmatic struts and air springs wear out and are dear
  • AMG brake discs, pads and tyres are expensive
  • Parts and specialist labour are not cheap, and head work is labour heavy

Known problems

high
Cylinder head bolt failure
Early M156 engines can suffer cylinder head bolt failure. The torque-to-yield bolts can stretch and snap, and one failure overloads its neighbours. Coolant and oil then cross over, giving repeated low-coolant warnings, a high oil level, white exhaust smoke, a rough idle and a check-engine light; in a severe case the engine hydro-locks and is destroyed. Mercedes' April 2011 bulletin LI01.30-P-051567 covers engine numbers up to 1569xx 60 060658 (built 2006 to the first half of 2010). Not every engine fails: owners report high-km cars with no trouble, but the fault is documented by Mercedes.
Fix: Ask for the engine number and proof the heads were done under the bulletin (heads off, deck height measured, new head bolts and hydraulic tappets). Pressure-test the cooling system and leave it overnight, then check the oil for coolant. Walk away from any car with unexplained coolant loss or white smoke.
Any
high
Camshaft lobe and valve lifter wear
M156 camshaft lobes and hydraulic lifters can wear early, shown as a rattle or clatter on start-up. Mercedes acknowledged it in service bulletin S-B 05.20/20b (2009). A US class action over it was dismissed on standing, not on the merits.
Fix: Listen on a cold start for tapping or clatter. Repair is new camshafts and lifters, normally done together with head bolt work. Regular oil changes with the correct oil spec help.
Any
medium
Airmatic suspension leaks and strut wear
Owner-reported: the air struts and springs eventually fail, giving a sagging corner or a warning message, and owners describe it as a matter of when. Fixes discussed are replacement air struts or a coil-over conversion.
Fix: Park the car and check it hasn't dropped overnight; cycle the height and look for warnings on the test drive. Budget for struts as a known wear item.
Owner-reported: typically beyond 100,000km
low
Crankshaft position sensor moisture
Moisture can affect the crank sensor, giving rough idle, hard starting or hesitation. Listed among reported W211 AMG faults on a recall-and-fault index for Australian cars.
Fix: Replace the sensor and its harness.
Any
medium
Water in the fuse box from a blocked drain
If the air-intake drain valve blocks, water can reach the fuse box and cause electrical faults.
Fix: Clear or replace the drain valve and dry the fuse box; check the carpet and fuse box area for dampness when inspecting.
Any
low
Oil seepage from valve covers and oil cooler lines
Owner-reported: valve cover, cam adjuster housing cover and oil cooler return line O-rings seep. Owners call it minor.
Fix: Reseal or replace gaskets and O-rings; look for oil around the valley and under the engine.
Owner-reported: older cars

Common problems (all variants)

low
AMG brakes and tyres are costly
Owner-reported: the large perforated AMG discs, pads and sensors are expensive, and the wide performance tyres wear quickly on a car with 630Nm.
Fix: Check disc lip and pad depth; price a full brake service before you buy.
low
Panoramic roof noise and cost (Estate and optioned cars)
Owner-reported: roofs can become noisy and are expensive to repair.
Fix: Test the roof open, closed and tilted, and listen for creaks.
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