How much does a Mercedes E Class 250 CDI engine replacement cost in the UK-

Supply-only rebuilt OM651 engines range from £2,200 to £3,500 depending on engine code and condition. With specialist fitting, budget £2,600-£4,300 total. OM651.911 (E 250 CDI, 204 hp, 2009-2013): rebuilt £2,200-£3,200. OM651.924 (E 250 CDI 4MATIC / BlueTEC, 204 hp, 2011-2016): rebuilt £2,400-£3,500. Labour adds £400-£800 depending on specialist location.

What are the signs of timing chain failure in an E Class 250 CDI-

Cold-start rattle lasting 2-4 seconds is the classic early warning sign. If ignored, the chain can jump, causing limp mode, loss of power, and eventually catastrophic engine failure. Rattle on cold start that disappears after a few seconds. Metallic clanging sounds from the engine. Loss of power or limp mode (engine won't rev over 3,000 RPM). Timing chain replacement at a specialist costs £900-£1,500.

Is it worth replacing the engine on an E Class 250 CDI-

Yes, if the car is otherwise sound. W212 E 250 CDI examples with good service history still command £4,000-£10,000 used, making replacement viable. A quality rebuilt OM651 costs £2,200-£3,500 supply only. The 250 CDI is the most powerful four-cylinder diesel in the range - desirable on the used market. A replacement engine with warranty costs less than financing a newer car. Specialist fitting adds £400-£800, not dealer rates of £1,500+.

What causes the OM651 timing chain to fail on E Class 250 CDI models-

The OM651 uses a single-row timing chain mounted at the rear of the engine. Extended oil change intervals (over 10,000 miles) are the primary culprit. Stop-start systems accelerate wear. Chain stretch typically occurs between 50,000-120,000 miles. Cold-start rattle that disappears after a few seconds is the early warning. Full chain replacement at a specialist costs £900-£1,500. Some OM651 examples exceed 150,000 miles on the original chain with frequent oil changes.

What is the difference between the OM651.911 and OM651.924 engines in the E Class 250 CDI-

Both are 2.1-litre twin-turbo diesels producing 204 hp and 500 Nm. The OM651.924 was introduced for 4MATIC (all-wheel drive) models and later BlueTEC emissions treatment. OM651.911 fitted to rear-wheel drive E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (2009-2013). OM651.924 fitted to E 250 CDI 4MATIC and BlueTEC models (2011-2016). Both share the same 83mm bore × 99mm stroke, 2,143 cc displacement. Both suffer from the same timing chain and injector seal issues.

How long does a Mercedes E Class 250 CDI engine last-

With proper maintenance and 8,000-10,000 mile oil changes, OM651 engines regularly reach 200,000-300,000 miles. Some examples exceed 250,000 miles in taxi and fleet use. OM651 bottom ends are robust when properly maintained. Timing chain replacement at 80k-100k miles is recommended for peace of mind. Injector seal replacement at 60k-120k miles is key maintenance. Short oil change intervals (8k miles) are critical for timing chain life.

Mercedes E Class 250 CDI SPECIALISTS

Mercedes Benz E Class 250 CDI Engine Replacement Compare Prices & Get Quotes

Get quotes today from trusted UK Mercedes Benz E Class 250 CDI engine specialists. Compare prices on reconditioned, rebuilt and used OM651 diesel engines - supply & fit available nationwide.

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Mercedes Benz E Class 250 CDI Engine

from£1,800 to £3,500

Usedfrom £1,200
Reconditionedfrom £1,800
Common codesOM651.911, OM651.924

Mercedes Benz e-class 250 CDI Used Engine — OM651.911

Mercedes Benz e-classUsed Engine — OM651.911

Mercedes Benz e-class 250 CDI Reconditioned Engine — OM651.911

Mercedes Benz e-classReconditioned Engine — OM651.911

Mercedes Benz e-class 250 CDI Rebuilt Engine — OM651.911

Mercedes Benz e-classRebuilt Engine — OM651.911

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How it works

3 Simple Steps to Finding the Right Replacement Engine

Clear information first, then the right engine and specialist for your exact vehicle.

Variant History

Mercedes Benz E Class 250 CDI Engine History & Specs at a Glance

The E 250 CDI badge represented Mercedes-Benz's high-output diesel offering across the W212 E-Class generation. Powered by the OM651 2.1-litre inline-four turbodiesel in twin-turbo form, it delivered 204 hp and 500 Nm of torque - making it the most powerful four-cylinder diesel in the E-Class range at the time.

2009
W212 E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY launched with OM651.911 engine, 150 kW (204 hp), twin-turbocharged
**2009-2013** - OM651.911 fitted to rear-wheel drive E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY saloon and estate
2011
E 250 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY introduced with OM651.924 engine, 150 kW (204 hp), permanent all-wheel drive
**2011-2015** - OM651.924 also fitted to E 250 CDI / BlueTEC 4MATIC models (212.082, 212.097)
2014
BlueTEC branding introduced on later E 250 CDI models with AdBlue emissions treatment
2016
W212 production ends; OM654 replaced OM651 in W213 generation

Every engine fitted to the Mercedes E Class 250 CDI is covered below, with UK rebuilt pricing and known failure points.

Engine Codes & Pricing

Mercedes Benz E Class 250 CDI Engine Codes Specifications & Replacement Cost

Find your exact engine code, specs and UK replacement cost guide.

OM651.911 — 2.1L Diesel (2009-2013)

Power Output: 150 kW (204 hp) at 4,200 rpm
Torque: 500 Nm at 1,600-1,800 rpm
Years Fitted: 2009-2013 (W212 E-Class)

Can’t find your exact engine code?-> Get quotes for OM651.911 Mercedes E Class 250 CDI engine replacement

-> Get quotes for OM651.911 Mercedes E Class 250 CDI engine replacement

Common Problems

Mercedes E Class 250 CDI Engine Problems Repair Cost vs Replacement

The OM651 engine that powers the E Class 250 CDI delivers impressive performance - 204 hp and 500 Nm from just 2.1 litres - but the twin-turbo design and single-row timing chain create specific failure points. Timing chain stretch is the most significant concern, with injector seal failure ("Black Death") and oil cooler leaks also featuring prominently. Every rebuilt engine supplied through EnginesMarket includes upgraded components designed to address the original failure point, plus a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty. Below, we break down what these failures cost to fix and when replacement is the smarter option.

Common failure points and repair options

Timing Chain Stretch

Affected: Mercedes E Class 250 CDI (OM651, 2009-2016)
Typical failure mileage: 50,000 - 120,000 miles (some fail between 50k-70k)

Root cause

The OM651 uses a single-row timing chain mounted at the rear of the engine. The chain stretches when oil change intervals exceed 10,000 miles - extended service intervals are the primary culprit. Stop-start systems accelerate wear. Cold-start rattle lasting 2-4 seconds is the classic early warning sign.

Repair options

Repair tier	Dealer price	Specialist price
Preventative - Timing Chain Tensioner Replacement	£800-£1,200	£400-£700
Major - Full Timing Chain & Sprockets	£1,800-£2,800	£900-£1,500
Full Replacement - Rebuilt Engine	£4,000-£6,000	£2,200-£3,500

Our recommendation

The cold-start rattle is your early warning - don't ignore it. A specialist timing chain replacement at £900-£1,500 is significantly cheaper than the £2,000+ valvetrain rebuild if the chain jumps. Given the OM651's single-row chain design, preventative replacement at 80,000-100,000 miles is a wise investment on a high-value E 250 CDI. If the chain has already jumped, a rebuilt engine with upgraded components and warranty typically offers better value than a dealer-led rebuild.

-> Compare rebuilt OM651 Mercedes E Class 250 CDI engine prices

"Black Death" Injector Seal Failure

Affected: Mercedes E Class 250 CDI (OM651, 2009-2016)
Typical failure mileage: 60,000 - 120,000 miles

Root cause

The copper injector sealing washer degrades over time, allowing combustion gases to escape past the injector. This creates hard carbon deposits - the characteristic "Black Death" - that can weld injectors into the cylinder head. Early production OM651 engines (pre-2009) had faulty piezo injectors that were subject to a soft recall.

Repair options

Repair tier	Dealer price	Specialist price
Minor - Injector Seal Replacement	£600-£900	£350-£550
Major - Injector Extraction & Head Repair	£1,200-£2,000	£800-£1,400
Full Replacement - Rebuilt Engine	£4,000-£6,000	£2,200-£3,500

Our recommendation

Injector seal replacement is almost always the right first step if caught early - the £350-£550 specialist cost is far less than the £2,000+ bill for a seized injector removal and head repair. If "Black Death" has been ignored and the injectors are seized, weigh the cost of head repair against a rebuilt engine. On a W212 E 250 CDI with good bodywork and transmission, a rebuilt engine often makes more sense than a costly extraction job.

-> Get OM651 Mercedes E Class 250 CDI injector seal quotes

Oil Cooler & Oil Filter Housing Leaks

Affected: Mercedes E Class 250 CDI (OM651, 2009-2016)
Typical failure mileage: 70,000 - 130,000 miles

Root cause

The OM651's oil cooler seals and oil filter housing gaskets degrade with heat cycles, causing external oil leaks. These leaks can be minor drips initially but worsen over time, potentially leading to oil starvation if left unaddressed.

Repair options

Repair tier	Dealer price	Specialist price
Minor - Oil Cooler Seal Replacement	£500-£800	£300-£500
Intermediate - Oil Filter Housing & Cooler Seals	£700-£1,200	£450-£800
Full Replacement - Rebuilt Engine	£4,000-£6,000	£2,200-£3,500

Our recommendation

Oil cooler seal replacement is a relatively straightforward job at a specialist. Don't ignore oil drips - they can lead to turbocharger oil starvation and catastrophic failure. If caught early, the £300-£500 specialist fix is excellent value. If oil loss has already caused bearing damage, a rebuilt engine is the only safe option.

-> Get OM651 Mercedes E Class 250 CDI oil leak repair quotes

Don't Let Engine Failure Write Off Your Mercedes E Class 250 CDI

Whether your E Class 250 CDI is suffering from timing chain rattle, injector "Black Death", or oil cooler leaks, EnginesMarket makes it simple to compare prices from trusted UK Mercedes specialists. Every rebuilt engine in our network includes upgraded components designed to address the original failure point - plus a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty and nationwide delivery. Compare prices, choose a specialist, and get back on the road without the main dealer premium.

Compare Mercedes E Class 250 CDI Engine Replacement Prices Now ->

FAQ

Mercedes E Class 250 CDI Engine ReplacementFrequently Asked Questions

Everything Mercedes Benz E Class 250 CDI owners usually ask before choosing a rebuilt, reconditioned or used replacement engine.

Short summary: Supply-only rebuilt OM651 engines range from £2,200 to £3,500 depending on engine code and condition. With specialist fitting, budget £2,600-£4,300 total.

OM651.911 (E 250 CDI, 204 hp, 2009-2013): rebuilt £2,200-£3,200
OM651.924 (E 250 CDI 4MATIC / BlueTEC, 204 hp, 2011-2016): rebuilt £2,400-£3,500
Labour adds £400-£800 depending on specialist location

-> Compare Mercedes E Class 250 CDI engine replacement costs by entering your reg now

Short summary: Cold-start rattle lasting 2-4 seconds is the classic early warning sign. If ignored, the chain can jump, causing limp mode, loss of power, and eventually catastrophic engine failure.

Rattle on cold start that disappears after a few seconds
Metallic clanging sounds from the engine
Loss of power or limp mode (engine won't rev over 3,000 RPM)
Timing chain replacement at a specialist costs £900-£1,500

-> Get quotes for OM651 timing chain replacement before it's too late

Short summary: Yes, if the car is otherwise sound. W212 E 250 CDI examples with good service history still command £4,000-£10,000 used, making replacement viable【INDUSTRY ESTIMATE】.

A quality rebuilt OM651 costs £2,200-£3,500 supply only
The 250 CDI is the most powerful four-cylinder diesel in the range - desirable on the used market
A replacement engine with warranty costs less than financing a newer car
Specialist fitting adds £400-£800, not dealer rates of £1,500+

-> Compare rebuilt Mercedes E Class 250 CDI engine prices for your mileage and budget

Short summary: The OM651 uses a single-row timing chain mounted at the rear of the engine. Extended oil change intervals (over 10,000 miles) are the primary culprit. Stop-start systems accelerate wear.

Chain stretch typically occurs between 50,000-120,000 miles
Cold-start rattle that disappears after a few seconds is the early warning
Full chain replacement at a specialist costs £900-£1,500
Some OM651 examples exceed 150,000 miles on the original chain with frequent oil changes

-> Get quotes for OM651 timing chain replacement before it's too late

Short summary: Both are 2.1-litre twin-turbo diesels producing 204 hp and 500 Nm. The OM651.924 was introduced for 4MATIC (all-wheel drive) models and later BlueTEC emissions treatment.

OM651.911 fitted to rear-wheel drive E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (2009-2013)
OM651.924 fitted to E 250 CDI 4MATIC and BlueTEC models (2011-2016)
Both share the same 83mm bore × 99mm stroke, 2,143 cc displacement
Both suffer from the same timing chain and injector seal issues

-> Find the correct Mercedes E Class 250 CDI engine for your exact chassis and engine code

Short summary: With proper maintenance and 8,000-10,000 mile oil changes, OM651 engines regularly reach 200,000-300,000 miles. Some examples exceed 250,000 miles in taxi and fleet use.

OM651 bottom ends are robust when properly maintained
Timing chain replacement at 80k-100k miles is recommended for peace of mind
Injector seal replacement at 60k-120k miles is key maintenance
Short oil change intervals (8k miles) are critical for timing chain life

-> Compare Mercedes E Class 250 CDI engine replacement quotes - be ready when the time comes

Why Choose Us

Compare Mercedes E Class 250 CDI Engine Prices Today

Comparing quotes for your Mercedes E Class 250 CDI engine replacement is free, no-obligation, and specific to your exact engine code and model year. Enter your registration above to get tailored prices from vetted UK specialists - whether you need a used OM651.911, a reconditioned OM651.924, or a fully rebuilt unit with warranty and fitting. Don't pay main dealer premiums - compare, choose, and get back on the road with confidence.

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Compare quotes from trusted UK Mercedes Benz E Class 250 CDI engine specialists with warranty-backed rebuilt, reconditioned and used options nationwide.

Mercedes Benz E Class 250 CDI Engine Replacement Compare Prices & Get Quotes

Get your free Mercedes Benz e-class 250 CDI engine quotes

3 Simple Steps to Finding the Right Replacement Engine

Mercedes Benz E Class 250 CDI Engine History & Specs at a Glance

Mercedes Benz E Class 250 CDI Engine Codes Specifications & Replacement Cost

OM651.911 — 2.1L Diesel (2009-2013)

Mercedes E Class 250 CDI Engine Problems Repair Cost vs Replacement

Timing Chain Stretch

"Black Death" Injector Seal Failure

Oil Cooler & Oil Filter Housing Leaks

Don't Let Engine Failure Write Off Your Mercedes E Class 250 CDI

Mercedes E Class 250 CDI Engine ReplacementFrequently Asked Questions

Compare Mercedes E Class 250 CDI Engine Prices Today