Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W210
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
272–517 PS
4.3-5.4L V8 Benzin
V8 Entry in the W210 — Eight Cylinders, Zero Drama
Decent136–177 PS
3.0L R6 Diesel Diesel
7 weaknesses
Good Choice143–204 PS
1.8L Kompressor Benzin
6 weaknesses
Stay Away!Body Variants
The Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W210 is available as Limousine and T-Modell — choose your body type for specific insurance data:
Generations
Engine Overview
The Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W210 is available with 15 engine variants — from 95 to 517 hp. 6 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The Mercedes-Benz E 200 CDI (Diesel, 102 PS) has the OM611 (2.2L CDI) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz E 220 CDI (Diesel, 136–150 PS) comes with 2 different engines: OM611 (1998–2003, Be Careful) und OM611 (1998–2003, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the E 220 CDI!
The Mercedes-Benz E 220 D (Diesel, 95 PS) has the OM604 (2.2L R4 Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz E 250 D (Diesel, 113 PS) has the OM605 (2.5L R5 Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 7 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz E 270 CDI (Diesel, 163–177 PS) comes with 2 different engines: OM612 (2000–2003, Stay Away!) und OM612 (2000–2003, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the E 270 CDI!
The Mercedes-Benz E 300 D (Diesel, 136 PS) has the OM606 (3.0L R6 Diesel) — rated: "Good Choice", 7 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz E 300 Turbodiesel (Diesel, 177 PS) has the OM606 (3.0L R6 Diesel) — rated: "Good Choice", 7 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz E 320 CDI (Diesel, 197–204 PS) comes with 2 different engines: OM613 (2000–2003, Stay Away!) und OM613 (2000–2003, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the E 320 CDI!
The Mercedes-Benz AMG E 55 (Benziner, 354 PS) has the M113 (4.3-5.4L V8) — rated: "Be Careful", 10 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz E 200 (Benziner, 136 PS) has the M111 (2.0-2.3L) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz E 200 Kompressor (Benziner, 163 PS) has the M111 (2.0-2.3L) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
The Mercedes-Benz E 240 (Benziner, 163–170 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M112 (1997–2003, Be Careful) und M112 (1997–2003, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the E 240!
The Mercedes-Benz E 280 (Benziner, 193–204 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M112 (1996–2003, Be Careful) und M112 (1996–2003, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the E 280!
The Mercedes-Benz E 320 (Benziner, 220–224 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M112 (1997–2003, Be Careful) und M112 (1997–2003, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the E 320!
The Mercedes-Benz E 430 (Benziner, 279 PS) has the M113 (4.3-5.4L V8) — rated: "Be Careful", 10 known weaknesses.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Widespread rust due to defective paint process Bacterial contamination in the electrophoretic coating bath compromised paint adhesion. Rust appears on doors, roof, boot lid and trim strips. Mercedes offered goodwill repairs. Symptoms: Rust bubbles on doors and roof even on young vehicles, brown stains under trim strips from 80,000 km | High | |
| Rust on Wheel Arches and Underbody Wheel arches, sills and strut towers rust heavily. Hidden rust forms beneath the sill cladding. Symptoms: Paint blisters on wheel arches and sills, visible rust under sill cladding. from 120,000 km | High |
Top Reported Issues
Alternatives
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Mittelklasse (1999–2005)
Known Problems and Issues
A total of 94 weaknesses have been documented for the Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W210 (1995–2003) — 87 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. 3 problem engines: M271 (1.8L Kompressor), OM612 (2.7L 5-Zyl Diesel), OM613 (3.2L R6 CDI). Typical issues affect Rust, Suspension, Electronics. Considered reliable: OM606 (3.0L R6 Diesel).
E-Klasse (OM604, 1995–1999) — Be Careful: Lucas EPIC pump: systematic failures, Glow plugs seize in aluminium head, Head Gasket: Aluminium Head Warps on Overheating. Power: 95–102 PS.
E-Klasse (OM605, 1995–1999) — Be Careful: Valve guides: wear in 4-valve head, Fuel system: return leak and starting problems, Turbocharger: Shaft Seal Leaking. Power: 113 PS.
E-Klasse (OM611, 1998–2003) — Be Careful: Dual-Mass Flywheel Prematurely Worn, Injectors leaking -- seating face failure, Intake manifold flaps break off. Power: 95–102 PS.
E-Klasse (OM611, 1998–2003) — Be Careful: Dual-Mass Flywheel Prematurely Worn, Injectors leaking -- seating face failure, Intake manifold flaps break off. Power: 136–150 PS.
E-Klasse (OM612, 2000–2003) — Stay Away!: "Black Death" -- injector seal failure with tar formation, EGR cooler fails -- coolant in intake, Cylinder head crack -- coolant loss under load. Power: 163–177 PS.
E-Klasse (OM613, 2000–2003) — Stay Away!: Injector Sealing Washers Burnt In — Injectors Seized, Turbocharger Oil Supply Insufficient — Bearing Failure, Injector failure at high mileage. Power: 197–204 PS.
E-Klasse (OM646, 2002–2009) — Be Careful: Dual-Mass Flywheel — Rivets Shear, Injectors Coked — Elevated Return Quantities, Wrong Belt Tensioner Fitted — Risk of Mix-Up. Power: 136–143 PS.
E-Klasse (OM646, 2002–2009) — Be Careful: Dual-Mass Flywheel — Rivets Shear, Injectors Coked — Elevated Return Quantities, Wrong Belt Tensioner Fitted — Risk of Mix-Up. Power: 143–150 PS.
E-Klasse (OM647, 2002–2006) — Be Careful: Serial Injector Failure — All 5 Cylinders Affected, Crankshaft Sensor Failure — Breakdown Risk, Dual-Mass Flywheel — High Torque Stresses the DMF. Power: 170–177 PS.
E-Klasse (OM648, 2002–2006) — Be Careful: High-Pressure Pump — Common Rail Pressure Dropping, CDI Injector Failure, Turbocharger Bearing Failure. Power: 197–204 PS.
E-Klasse (OM648, 2002–2006) — Be Careful: High-Pressure Pump — Common Rail Pressure Dropping, CDI Injector Failure, Turbocharger Bearing Failure. Power: 177 PS.
E-Klasse (M111, 1995–2003) — Be Careful: Head Gasket Ages and Leaks, Supercharger Magnetic Clutch Fails, Ignition Coils Wear Out Due to Neglected Spark Plugs. Power: 136 PS.
E-Klasse (M112, 1996–2003) — Be Careful: Camshaft Adjuster Leaks Oil into Wiring Harness, Intake Manifold Vacuum Hose Breaks, Valve Cover Gasket and Front Cover Gasket Leaking. Power: 193–204 PS.
E-Klasse (M111, 1997–2003) — Be Careful: Head Gasket Ages and Leaks, Supercharger Magnetic Clutch Fails, Ignition Coils Wear Out Due to Neglected Spark Plugs. Power: 163 PS.
E-Klasse (M112, 1997–2003) — Be Careful: Camshaft Adjuster Leaks Oil into Wiring Harness, Intake Manifold Vacuum Hose Breaks, Valve Cover Gasket and Front Cover Gasket Leaking. Power: 163–170 PS.
E-Klasse (M112, 1997–2003) — Be Careful: Camshaft Adjuster Leaks Oil into Wiring Harness, Intake Manifold Vacuum Hose Breaks, Valve Cover Gasket and Front Cover Gasket Leaking. Power: 220–224 PS.
E-Klasse (M113, 1997–2003) — Be Careful: Vibration Damper/Pulley — Rubber Hardens, Rear Crankshaft Seal Leaking, Engine Mounts Worn Prematurely. Power: 279 PS.
E-Klasse (M113, 1997–2003) — Be Careful: Vibration Damper/Pulley — Rubber Hardens, Rear Crankshaft Seal Leaking, Engine Mounts Worn Prematurely. Power: 354 PS.
E-Klasse (M112, 2002–2006) — Be Careful: Camshaft Adjuster Leaks Oil into Wiring Harness, Intake Manifold Vacuum Hose Breaks, Valve Cover Gasket and Front Cover Gasket Leaking. Power: 170–177 PS.
E-Klasse (M112, 2002–2006) — Be Careful: Camshaft Adjuster Leaks Oil into Wiring Harness, Intake Manifold Vacuum Hose Breaks, Valve Cover Gasket and Front Cover Gasket Leaking. Power: 224 PS.
E-Klasse (M113, 2002–2006) — Be Careful: Vibration Damper/Pulley — Rubber Hardens, Rear Crankshaft Seal Leaking, Engine Mounts Worn Prematurely. Power: 306 PS.
E-Klasse (M271, 2002–2009) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain Stretches Prematurely, Camshaft Adjuster Leaks — Oil in Wiring Harness, Camshaft Adjuster Leaks Oil into Connector. Power: 163 PS.
What to watch out for with the Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee