Back to catalog

Mercedes-Benz

ML63 AMG

W164· 2006-2011 suv-soft Caution

Top issues

10 known problems · 3 high

high

Brake booster corrosion (recall)

Any · Recall fix

high

Cylinder head bolt failure

Any

high

Camshaft and hydraulic lifter wear

Often around 160k km (one source) (unverified)

All 10 problems ↓ Inspection checklist →

Recalls

1 on record

REC-005438 2022-05-17 (unverified)

Defect: The brake booster seal can reduce due to corrosion, which can cause the booster to leak and reduce braking performance. In very severe corrosion, hard braking may damage the booster.

Hazard: Reduced braking performance.

Remedy: An authorised Mercedes-Benz service centre does a visual inspection and, if advanced corrosion is present, a guided diagnostic test. The booster is replaced if it fails. The notice tells owners to stop driving the vehicle and have it inspected.

Affected: ML 63, VIN prefix WDC164, 2005-2011 (part of a recall covering ML, GL and R Class 2005-2013)

Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-11-09

Check a specific car by VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

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.

Before and after

Before: Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG (W163)

After: Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG (W166, 2012 on, twin-turbo 5.5L V8)

Price (AUD)

$16k-$30k (unverified)

Body styles

Wagon (5-door SUV)

Drivetrain

AWD (4MATIC)

Origin

Germany

Built in

USA (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

Overview

The last naturally aspirated AMG M-Class: the hand-built M156 6.2L V8 (badged '6.3') with 375kW and 630Nm through the AMG-tuned 7G-Tronic and permanent 4MATIC, in a body that weighs about 2.3 tonnes. Mercedes Australia listed it at $159,900 at launch in 2006 (carsales data), and the carsales price history climbs to about $174k by MY10. It is cheap to buy now, which is the trap: the M156 has two well-documented weak spots (cylinder head bolts that can break on earlier engines, and camshaft/lifter wear), plus AIRMATIC air suspension and a 4MATIC transfer case that cost real money as they age. A good one is a thrilling, comfortable car; a neglected one can turn into a five-figure engine repair. The W164 was built in Tuscaloosa, USA; engineering and badge are German. Launch timing is reported inconsistently (October 2006 by one source, July 2006 by carsales). One source describes a Series II update in October 2008 and a minor styling update in June 2010 (new bonnet, LED lamps), but we could not confirm those dates from a second source, so identify a car by its compliance plate and the visible styling rather than by these dates. The off-road pack could not be optioned on this model (Drive, 2007). Not to be confused with the W166 ML63 (2012 on), which has a different twin-turbo engine and is not covered here. Tow rating: published figures conflict (see the towing line), so confirm what the compliance plate or Mercedes-Benz Australia says for the specific VIN before towing anything heavy. Mercedes' own recall page and the ACCC/vehiclerecalls.gov.au register should be checked by VIN.

Engines & variants

6.2L M156 V8 (ML 63 AMG)

Engine

Naturally aspirated 6.2L (6208cc) V8, marketed as 6.3

Engine code

M156

Config

V8 NA

Displacement

6208cc

Power

375kW @ 6800rpm

Torque

630Nm @ 5200rpm

Drivetrain

AWD (permanent 4MATIC)

0–100

5.0s

Economy

16.5 L/100km combined

Tow (braked)

3500kg (unverified)

Tow (unbraked)

750kg (unverified)

Transmission

7AT (AMG Speedshift 7G-Tronic)

Timing chain / belt / gear

Chain-driven

Pros

Naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 with a proper AMG soundtrack
5.0s to 100 km/h in a 2.3 tonne five-seat SUV
Standard air suspension rides well for something this fast
Huge depreciation: a $160k+ car for roughly $16-30k now
Permanent 4MATIC and 7-speed auto are well proven in the wider M-Class range

Cons

Cylinder head bolt failure risk on earlier M156 engines
Camshaft and hydraulic lifter wear is common and expensive
Fuel use about 16.5 L/100km claimed, 17+ in touring (Drive)
About 2.3 tonnes to stop and to tyre (295/40R20 fronts)
Air suspension, transfer case and AMG parts are costly at this age
Published tow ratings disagree between sources

Known problems

high

Cylinder head bolt failure

The M156 head bolts can break, letting coolant reach the combustion chamber. Symptoms are a low coolant warning, misfires and a check engine light. An Australian review of this model lists it, and a parts retailer states it applies to engines up to engine serial 60-060658 (revised bolts after that), though other sources only say 'up to MY2012', so we cannot give an exact cut-off for an ML63 engine.

Fix: Ask whether the bolts have been replaced with the later part, with invoice. Do a cold compression/leak-down and coolant pressure test before buying. Replace all bolts on any engine still on the old part.

Any

high

Camshaft and hydraulic lifter wear

Premature wear of the intake camshaft lobes and hydraulic lifters is the best-known M156 fault; the lobe can wear through the lifter. A cold-start ticking is the early sign. Frequent oil changes with the right viscosity are the main prevention.

Fix: Listen for ticking at a cold start (insist the car has sat overnight). Check oil change history. Budget for camshafts, lifters and adjusters together if ticking is present.

Often around 160k km (one source) (unverified)

medium

Camshaft adjuster rattle

A cold-start rattle that can progress to noise at all revs, mostly from the intake adjusters. Reported by an independent parts retailer.

Fix: Cold-start inspection; replace the adjusters if the rattle persists, ideally with any cam work.

Any

medium

Intake manifold centre plate deterioration

Reported by a parts retailer: the centre mounting plate that holds the twin throttle bodies in the magnesium intake manifold deteriorates, causing a rough idle. A full genuine manifold is expensive and can be back-ordered.

Fix: Check for a rough idle and throttle fault codes. An aftermarket centre-plate repair kit exists as an alternative to a new manifold.

Any

low

Crankcase breather valve and oil leaks

Breather diaphragm or hose failure causes oil burning, misfires and smoke, with a fuel-trim fault code (P0170 reported). Valve cover, cam solenoid cover and oil filter housing gaskets also leak and the oil then attacks the belt, alternator and hoses.

Fix: Check for oil weeping around the covers and for smoke on startup. Replace the breather valve and gaskets as a set.

About 100k km service item, per one source (unverified)

medium

Drive belt pulley failure

Reported by a parts retailer: the plastic drive belt pulleys with pressed-in bearings fail and can damage the belt, and the belt can in turn damage the thermostat's coolant breather port.

Fix: Spin the pulleys by hand and listen for bearing noise at each service. Replace pulleys and the belt together.

Any

Common problems (all variants)

medium

AIRMATIC air suspension leaks and compressor wear

The ML63 uses AIRMATIC air springs with adaptive dampers (confirmed for the W164 ML63 in an Australian review). Air springs perish and leak, the compressor then runs constantly to compensate and wears out, and the car sags at one corner overnight or throws a suspension warning. Owner-reported: valve block leaks are also common, and a new compressor fails quickly if the leak that killed the old one is not fixed.

Fix: Check ride height after the car has sat overnight and look for a suspension warning. Soapy-water test the bags and lines before replacing the compressor. Replace failed bags as a pair on that axle and fit a new compressor relay with a new compressor.

Any, more likely over 10 years of age

medium

4MATIC transfer case chain stretch

Owner-reported: the W164 4MATIC transfer case uses a chain that can stretch with age and use, causing whine that rises with road speed and clicking or popping under hard take-off. The ML63's 2.3 tonne mass and torque make it harder on the chain than the lesser W164s. We found no Australian cost source.

Fix: Listen on a road test for whine, and for clicks accelerating from a standstill with the wheel on lock. Ask for transfer case service history. An independent Mercedes specialist can often repair the chain and sprockets rather than replace the whole case.

Any, worse on cars that have towed or worked hard

medium

7G-Tronic 722.9 electronic conductor plate / limp mode

Owner-reported (thin evidence): the 722.9 7G-Tronic is reported to suffer conductor plate (electronic control module) faults that cause limp mode and harsh or missed shifts. We found only a general problems list for the M-Class, not an ML63-specific report, so treat this as a thing to check rather than a known certainty.

Fix: Test drive from cold and hot, checking for harsh or delayed shifts and any gearbox warning. Scan for stored transmission faults. Ask for a record of any conductor plate work and fluid service history.

Any

high

Brake booster corrosion (recall)

ML 63 (VIN prefix WDC164, 2005-2011) is listed in Australian recall REC-005438: the brake booster seal can corrode and leak, reducing braking performance. The notice says to stop driving the vehicle and have it inspected.

Fix: Check the VIN against the recall and confirm in writing that the inspection was done and the booster replaced if it failed. The fix is free at an authorised Mercedes-Benz service centre.

Any · Recall fix

Something wrong in this guide? Tell us →

More like this

Best Used SUVs →Best Used SUVs Under $20k → All types and budgets →