From lazy, long-legged V8s to fire-breathing AMG monsters, Mercedes-Benz has produced some seriously memorable engines. But which ones deserve a place in the Better Bangers hall of fame?
There was a time when buying a Mercedes with a V8 didn’t necessarily mean buying an AMG, taking out a second mortgage or worrying about a hybrid battery.
You could simply buy a big Mercedes, turn the key and enjoy the effortless shove of eight cylinders doing what eight cylinders do best. [more…]
And Mercedes-Benz has been doing it for a very long time.
From the beautifully engineered M100 of the 1960s through to the legendary M113 and M156 AMG engines, the company has produced some of the most characterful V8s ever fitted to a road car.
But they aren’t all created equal.
Some are almost indestructible. Some sound magnificent. Some produce astonishing performance. And some are best admired from a safe distance with a healthy bank balance.
Here are our picks for the best Mercedes V8 engines ever made. [more…]
1. M113 – The One We’d Buy
If you want one Mercedes V8 to actually own rather than merely admire, the M113 [more…] is very difficult to beat.
Introduced in the late 1990s, the M113 was available in various capacities, most commonly 4.3 and 5.0 litres, with larger versions appearing in AMG applications.
It isn’t particularly exotic. And that’s precisely why we like it.
The M113 uses a relatively straightforward design (Wikipedia link), with three valves per cylinder and twin spark plugs. There’s no complicated direct injection system and no turbochargers to worry about on the naturally aspirated versions.
The result is a smooth, torquey and generally very durable engine.
You’ll find the M113 in cars including:
- E430
- E500
- S430
- S500
- CLK430
- CLK500
- SL500
- ML430
- ML500
- C55 AMG
- E55 AMG
And that’s one of its greatest strengths.
There are plenty of these engines around, parts availability is generally good and independent Mercedes specialists know them inside out.
The M113 verdict
Reliability: ★★★★★
Performance: ★★★★☆
Sound: ★★★★☆
Running costs: ★★★★☆
Better Banger rating: 9/10
If you are looking for an older Mercedes V8 to use regularly, the M113 is arguably the sweet spot.
2. M119 – The Engineering Masterpiece
The M119 doesn’t have quite the same reputation for simplicity as the M113, but it is arguably the more impressive engine.
Introduced in the late 1980s, the M119 was a 32-valve, quad-cam V8 and represented some serious engineering for its time.
It appeared in cars such as the:
- 500 SL
- 500 SEC
- 500 E
- S500
- E500
And the 500 E is particularly interesting.
The Porsche-built W124 500 E is already one of Mercedes’ greatest cars, and the M119 is a huge part of its appeal.
The engine delivers its power in a wonderfully smooth fashion, with a distinctive V8 soundtrack and enough torque to make overtaking almost effortless.
It’s also one of those engines that feels considerably more sophisticated than many contemporary V8s.
The downside?
Age.
We’re now talking about engines that can be more than 30 years old. Wiring looms, seals, sensors and other ancillaries can all become expensive problems.
A neglected M119 isn’t necessarily a bargain.
A good one, however, is something rather special.
Reliability: ★★★★☆
Performance: ★★★★☆
Sound: ★★★★★
Running costs: ★★★☆☆
Better Banger rating: 9/10
3. M100 – The Original Big Mercedes V8
Before AMG became synonymous with Mercedes performance, there was the M100.
This is where things get properly interesting.
The M100 was introduced in the 1960s and was originally a 6.3-litre V8.
It was fitted to the magnificent Mercedes-Benz 600, a car that was essentially a technological statement from Mercedes-Benz.
The engine was enormous, smooth and designed to provide effortless performance rather than simply win pub bragging contests.
Later versions grew to 6.9 litres and found their way into the legendary 450 SEL 6.9.
The 6.9 was a remarkable machine.
It combined a huge V8 with self-levelling hydropneumatic suspension, producing a car that could cruise at high speed while carrying its occupants in extraordinary comfort.
Today, the M100 is more of a collector’s proposition than a Better Banger.
But historically?
It’s one of Mercedes’ greatest V8s.
Reliability: ★★★★☆
Performance: ★★★★☆
Sound: ★★★★★
Running costs: ★★☆☆☆
Better Banger rating: 8/10
4. M156 – AMG’s Naturally Aspirated Monster
Now we’re getting serious.
The M156 was AMG’s own 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 and one of the company’s most memorable engines.
Despite being commonly referred to as a 6.3, the engine is actually 6,208cc.
And it sounds glorious.
The M156 arrived during an era when AMG was still producing large naturally aspirated engines before turbocharging became the norm.
It powered cars such as:
- C63 AMG
- E63 AMG
- CLK63 AMG
- CLS63 AMG
- ML63 AMG
- S63 AMG
- R63 AMG
Power varied depending on application, but some versions produced well over 500bhp.
The C63 AMG is arguably the car most associated with the engine.
A W204 C63 with the M156 is a fairly ordinary-looking family saloon with a 6.2-litre V8 under the bonnet.
That is precisely the point.
Unfortunately, the M156 isn’t perfect.
Early engines can suffer from issues including head-bolt problems and camshaft wear, while general AMG running costs can be substantial.
Buy carefully, however, and you’ll own one of the great modern Mercedes V8s.
Reliability: ★★★☆☆
Performance: ★★★★★
Sound: ★★★★★
Running costs: ★★☆☆☆
Better Banger rating: 9/10
5. M157 – The Turbocharged Powerhouse
The M157 represents the other side of AMG.
Instead of enormous naturally aspirated displacement, AMG moved towards twin turbocharging.
The result was a 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 capable of producing enormous torque.
Depending on specification, power could approach or exceed 550bhp, with AMG Performance versions pushing considerably further.
The M157 was used in cars including:
- E63 AMG
- CLS63 AMG
- S63 AMG
- G63 AMG
- ML63 AMG
- GLS63 AMG
And that’s where the M157 becomes interesting.
You could have a huge luxury Mercedes capable of accelerating at a rate that would have embarrassed supercars only a few years earlier.
The downside is complexity.
Two turbochargers, sophisticated fuel injection and a considerable amount of supporting hardware mean there is much more to go wrong than with an old naturally aspirated V8.
Still, for sheer effortless performance, the M157 is hard to beat.
Reliability: ★★★☆☆
Performance: ★★★★★
Sound: ★★★★☆
Running costs: ★★☆☆☆
Better Banger rating: 8/10
6. M113K – The AMG Supercharged Legend
If the naturally aspirated M113 is the sensible choice, the M113K is the one that makes sensible choices seem rather boring.
The “K” stands for Kompressor.
AMG took the M113 and added a supercharger, producing a 5.4-litre V8 capable of delivering enormous performance.
You’ll find it in cars such as:
- E55 AMG
- SL55 AMG
- CLS55 AMG
- S55 AMG
- CL55 AMG
- CLK55 AMG
The E55 AMG is particularly famous.
It combined understated looks with approximately 470bhp and enormous torque.
And because the engine was supercharged rather than turbocharged, the power delivery is beautifully immediate.
More importantly, the M113K has developed a reputation for being remarkably robust for such a powerful engine.
The rest of the car can sometimes cause more concern than the engine itself.
That makes the M113K one of the ultimate Better Bangers.
Reliability: ★★★★☆
Performance: ★★★★★
Sound: ★★★★★
Running costs: ★★★☆☆
Better Banger rating: 9.5/10
7. M273 – The V8 You Need to Buy Carefully
The M273 arrived in the mid-2000s and powered a huge range of Mercedes models.
Available primarily in 4.7 and 5.5-litre forms, it offered impressive performance and refinement.
You’ll find it in cars such as:
- S500
- E500
- CLS500
- CL500
- ML500
- GL500
- SL500
It’s an excellent engine when healthy.
But there are some known issues to investigate, particularly concerning the timing system and balance shaft/idler gear arrangements on earlier engines.
That doesn’t make the M273 a bad engine.
It simply means that buying one without checking its history can be an expensive mistake.
A properly maintained later example can make an excellent luxury V8.
Reliability: ★★★☆☆
Performance: ★★★★☆
Sound: ★★★★☆
Running costs: ★★★☆☆
Better Banger rating: 7.5/10
8. M278 – Big Power, Smaller Capacity
Mercedes eventually followed the industry trend towards downsizing.
The M278 is a 4.7-litre twin-turbocharged V8, and despite the reduction in capacity it produces serious power and torque.
It’s refined, fast and remarkably effective.
The problem for the Better Bangers enthusiast is complexity.
There’s an awful lot going on.
Turbochargers, direct injection and sophisticated engine management mean that a problem can potentially become expensive.
This is not necessarily an engine to avoid.
It’s simply an engine where service history matters enormously.
A cheap M278-powered Mercedes can quickly become an expensive Mercedes.
Reliability: ★★★☆☆
Performance: ★★★★★
Sound: ★★★★☆
Running costs: ★★☆☆☆
Better Banger rating: 7/10
So Which Mercedes V8 Is Best?
If we’re judging purely on engineering achievement, the answer could be the M119.
If we’re talking about historical significance, the M100 deserves the trophy.
If you want noise and drama, the M156 is difficult to beat.
But if you’re actually spending your own money?
We’d buy the M113.
It’s the perfect Better Banger V8.
It’s powerful enough, sounds great, is relatively straightforward, has good parts availability and was installed in a huge number of Mercedes models.
And if you want something considerably more exciting, look for an M113K-powered AMG.
The E55 AMG in particular remains one of the great used performance-car bargains.
The BetterBangers Verdict
There’s something increasingly appealing about an old Mercedes V8.
Depreciation has already done much of the damage. The cars are often surprisingly affordable, and many have been built to cover enormous mileages.
But there’s a golden rule:
Don’t buy the cheapest V8. Buy the best V8 you can afford.
A £7,000 E500 with a comprehensive history could be a far better purchase than a £4,000 example that has been neglected for the last ten years.
And that’s really what BetterBangers is about.
Big engines. Interesting cars. Sensible money.
Just don’t tell your accountant.
