Mercedes-Benz B 220
More powerful 2.0L variant of the M270. Solid turbocharged four-cylinder with adequate performance. Oil consumption possible at high mileage.
Strong Van, Limited Enjoyment
135 kW in the B-Class van is impressively brisk — but the van body remains a fun killer. Very respectable for a van.
Engine Weaknesses 7
A leaking camshaft adjuster solenoid allows oil to migrate into the wiring harness. Lambda sensors die first, then the engine ECU. Well-known failure pattern on all M270 variants.
Symptoms: Lambda fault codes, rough running, CEL. Oil smell in engine bay. In later stages multiple electrical faults
M270DE20 engines with manufacturing date July–September 2015: defective weld seam on the camshaft lobe leads to fracture and engine damage. Recall with free replacement.
Symptoms: Metallic noises from engine bay, power loss, in worst case engine stall
Identical issue to the M270DE16: electrically-controlled thermostat at the rear of the engine fails prematurely. Difficult removal drives workshop costs to 700–1,300 EUR.
Symptoms: Engine runs permanently below operating temperature, coolant temperature fluctuations, fault code P0128
M270 2.0 camshaft adjusters tend to wear from approx. 100,000 km with rattling noises on cold start. Revised adjusters from model year 2014.
Symptoms: Metallic clattering or rattling directly after cold start, idle hesitation, disappears after warm-up
Just like the M270DE16, the electronically controlled thermostat on the M270DE20 also fails early. Fault code P0128, irregular coolant temperature.
Symptoms: Temperature needle stays in the lower range or fluctuates, CEL, increased fuel consumption, code P0128
The variable oil pump control valve on the M270 can fail and trigger fault code P06DA. Wiring harness to the control valve frequently breaks.
Symptoms: Fault code P06DA00, check engine light, possibly reduced engine power
On direct injection engines, oil carbon from the crankcase ventilation builds up on the intake valves. Noticeable power loss from approximately 80,000–120,000 km.
Symptoms: Stumbling at low revs, power loss, increased consumption, cold-start problems, engine roughness at partial load
Vehicle Weaknesses 7
Vehicles with 7G-DCT from the period January 2018 to March 2020 may have insufficient gearbox oil. Possible drivetrain failure and increased fire risk. Recall action carried out.
Collision warning system incorrectly detects obstacles in urban traffic and initiates autonomous emergency braking. Software update resolves the problem. Rear light failures also known.
Corroded connectors on the ECU cause failure of ESP, ABS and PRE-Safe. Safety systems are deactivated, vehicle goes into limp mode.
Door lower edges of the W246 rust, though less severely than the predecessor. Axle springs and components corrode and can break through oxidation. Rust susceptibility inappropriate for the price level.
A/C condensers can develop leaks and lose refrigerant. A/C cooling diminishes after several years. Problem less frequent than on the predecessor W245 but still present.
7G-DCT dual clutch gearbox shifts too hectically and causes increased clutch wear in stop-and-go traffic. Clutch replacement costs approximately €1,500. Shift behaviour criticised as rough.
Brake discs and brake hoses wear above average on the W246. MOT reports flag this regularly. Brake lines on older examples are prone to corrosion.