Mercedes-Benz C-Class 350 / 400 Petrol Engine Replacement Compare Prices & Get Quotes

A replacement engine for a C350 or C400 petrol typically costs between £600 and £5,500 depending on the engine code and condition. Used M272 units start from £600-£1,500, reconditioned from £1,800-£3,200, and fully rebuilt M276 biturbo engines from £2,800-£5,500. Labour for supply & fit adds £500-£1,000.

• Used M272.960 (W204 C350): £600-£1,500
• Rebuilt M276.957 (W204 C350 facelift): £2,500-£4,500
• Rebuilt M276.823 (W205 C400): £2,800-£5,500

Early M272 engines (serial numbers below 2729..30 468993, 2004-2008) suffer from balance shaft sprocket wear due to soft metal being used in the manufacturing process of the timing gear. This causes the timing to be thrown off, triggering fault codes P0016/P0017. Symptoms include a check engine light, rough idle, and potential engine damage if not addressed. Repair costs at a specialist are approximately £2,200-£3,500 for balance shaft and timing chain replacement.

• Affects early M272 engines in W204 C350 (2008-2011)
• Fault codes P0016/P0017 are the classic warning signs
• Repair at specialist: £2,200-£3,500

Both the M272 and M276 engines use timing chains, not belts. The M272 uses a 90° V-angle with a balance shaft. The M276 uses a 60° V-angle which reduces vibrations to such an extent that a balance shaft is no longer necessary. However, the M272 is known for balance shaft sprocket wear, and the M276 is known for camshaft adjuster rattle and timing chain tensioner wear.

• All C350/C400 petrol engines: timing chain
• M272 balance shaft sprocket wear affects timing accuracy
• M276 camshaft adjuster rattle and tensioner wear

On M272-equipped models (W204 C350, 2008-2011), the most common symptom is a check engine light with codes P0016/P0017, rough idle, and potential engine damage from balance shaft wear. On M276-equipped models (W204 C350 facelift, W205 C400, 2011-2017), symptoms include a rattling noise from the front of the engine on cold start (camshaft adjuster or timing chain tensioner), reduced power or intermittent limp mode, delayed boost response, and wastegate rattle.

• M272: check engine light (P0016/P0017) - balance shaft issue
• M276: cold start rattle - camshaft adjuster/tensioner issue
• M276 biturbo: reduced power - turbo/wastegate issue

It depends on the generation and condition. A W204 C350 is typically worth £3,000-£8,000 - a rebuilt M272 engine (£2,200-£4,200) can be a worthwhile investment if the car is in good condition. A W205 C400 is worth £8,000-£18,000 - a rebuilt M276 biturbo engine (£2,800-£5,500) is usually well within the car's value. For the M272, if caught early, a balance shaft replacement is more economical than a full engine replacement.

• W204 (2008-2011): balance shaft repair or rebuilt M272 viable
• W204 facelift (2011-2014): rebuilt M276 viable for good condition cars
• W205 (2014-2017): rebuilt M276 biturbo usually justifies cost

The M272 is a 3.5-litre naturally aspirated 90° V6 used in the W204 C350 (2008-2011), producing 272 hp. The M276 is a 3.5-litre 60° V6 with direct injection used in the W204 C350 facelift (2011-2014), producing 306 hp. The M276's 60° V-angle reduces vibrations to such an extent that a balance shaft is no longer necessary. The M276 also features direct injection (CGI) for improved efficiency and power. The M276.823 is a 3.0-litre biturbo variant used in the C400 (2014-2017), producing 333 hp.

• M272: 3.5L, 272 hp, 90° V6, naturally aspirated, W204 (2008-2011)
• M276 (3.5L): 3.5L, 306 hp, 60° V6, direct injection, W204 (2011-2014)
• M276 (3.0L biturbo): 3.0L, 333 hp, 60° V6, twin-turbo, W205 C400 (2014-2017)