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Mercedes-Benz

E63 AMG

W212· 2009-2011 sedan Caution

Top issues

6 known problems · 2 high

high

Cylinder head bolt failure (early-build cars)

Any

high

Camshaft lobe and valve lifter wear

Any

medium

Rear air suspension leaks

Owner-reported: any age

All 6 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: E63 AMG W211 (2006-2009) →

After: E63 AMG W212 with 5.5L biturbo M157 (from late 2011; not covered here)

Body styles

Sedan

Drivetrain

RWD

Origin

Germany

Built in

Germany (Sindelfingen)

Overview

This guide covers only the naturally aspirated 6.2L M156 E63 on the W212 body. It was announced in Australia on 9 October 2009 at $234,900 plus on-road costs ($4,056 less than the W211 it replaced) and reached showrooms in November 2009. Mercedes-Benz Australia specified it with items that are often options elsewhere, including the bootlid spoiler, sun protection package and 19-inch wheels. Power rose to 386kW and the old torque-converter 7G-Tronic gave way to the AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed with a wet start-off clutch. Only the sedan was sold with the M156 in Australia; the E63 Estate arrived with the later engine. The 5.5L twin-turbo M157 E63 replaced it in Australia from October 2011 (announced 20 October 2011, same $240,985 sedan price, showrooms within weeks). Later cars may have the revised head bolts (sources disagree on the exact cut-off, some citing early 2010), but the camshaft/lifter wear still applies, so it is a big-bill car: insist on a documented history. Check the VIN on the Mercedes-Benz Australia recall lookup: an airbag inflator recall affecting 2009-2011 W212 E63 sedans is listed by secondary sources, and we could not confirm it from the official notice (see sources).

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

386kW

Torque

630Nm

Drivetrain

RWD

0–100

4.5s

Economy

12.6 L/100km combined (unverified)

Transmission

AMG Speedshift MCT 7AT (wet-clutch, paddle shift)

Timing chain / belt / gear

Chain-driven

Pros

Last of the naturally aspirated AMG E-Class V8s, with a loud, free-revving soundtrack
386kW with a quick-shifting MCT gearbox
Combined economy is about 2L/100km better than the W211 on paper
Well equipped as an Australian-spec car at $234,900 new
Newer body and cabin than the W211

Cons

Early cars fall inside the M156 head-bolt bulletin range
Camshaft and lifter wear is documented
MCT gearbox can hesitate and the valve body has been replaced on some cars
Rear air suspension can leak
Dear brakes, tyres and specialist labour

Known problems

high

Cylinder head bolt failure (early-build cars)

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). The W212 only went on sale in late 2009, so only the earliest AU cars sit inside the engine-number range; some owners believe later cars got revised bolts, but this is not confirmed by the bulletin we found.

Fix: Get the engine number and ask the dealer or Mercedes for the build date and any head-bolt work done. For a 2009-2010 car, pressure-test the cooling system and check the oil for coolant. A low-coolant warning needs diagnosing before purchase.

Any

high

Camshaft lobe and valve lifter wear

The M156 is known for valve-train wear: lifters can stop spinning or seize and damage cam lobes, and camshaft adjusters can fail. Mercedes acknowledged it in service bulletin S-B 05.20/20b (2009). Start-up rattle or clatter is the warning sign. Owners also report regular oil changes as the best defence.

Fix: Listen on a cold start; look for service history with frequent oil changes. Repair is camshafts and lifters, often alongside other engine work.

Any

medium

Rear air suspension leaks

Owner-reported: rear air springs or an air line between the compressor and valve block can fail, so the back of the car sags overnight or a suspension warning appears.

Fix: Check ride height after the car has stood overnight. Replace the failed air spring or line; budget for pairs.

Owner-reported: any age

medium

MCT gearbox hesitation and valve body faults

Owner-reported: some cars hesitate on upshifts in manual mode at high throttle, and one reported case had the conductor plate/valve body replaced after the car would not select drive. Others report no gearbox trouble at all.

Fix: Test in auto and manual on a full-warm car for hesitation, slip or harsh engagement; get a transmission scan before buying.

Owner-reported: mixed

medium

Sticking fuel injectors

Owner-reported (from a UK buyer's guide): M156 injectors can stick open, washing the bores or in the worst case hydraulically locking a cylinder.

Fix: Ask whether injectors have been replaced preventively; a misfire or fuel smell on start-up is a warning.

Owner-reported: high km

Common problems (all variants)

low

AMG brakes and tyres are costly

Owner-reported: front rotors run to many hundreds of dollars each and carbon-ceramic brakes cost roughly double. The wide performance tyres wear quickly.

Fix: Check disc lip, pad depth and for ceramic brakes; price a full brake service before you buy.

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