How much does a Mercedes E Class 270 CDI engine replacement cost in the UK-

Supply-only rebuilt OM612 or OM647 engines range from £1,900 to £3,200 depending on engine code and condition. With specialist fitting, budget £2,300-£4,000 total. OM612.961 (E 270 CDI, 170 hp, 1999-2002): rebuilt £1,900-£2,800. OM647.961 (E 270 CDI, 177 hp, 2002-2005): rebuilt £2,000-£3,200. OM648.961 (E 300 CDI, 204 hp, 2002-2006): rebuilt £2,200-£3,500. Labour adds £400-£800 depending on specialist location.

What are the signs of 'Black Death' injector failure in an E Class 270 / 300 CDI-

Visible black, crusty carbon deposits around the injector bases under the engine cover - along with a diesel smell in the cabin or engine bay. Hard, tar-like carbon buildup around one or more injectors is the classic sign. May be accompanied by a chuffing sound from the leaking injector seal. If ignored, injectors can seize in the head, requiring specialist extraction. Early replacement of seals (£350-£550 at a specialist) prevents costly head damage.

Is it worth replacing the engine on an older E Class 270 CDI or 300 CDI-

Yes, if the car is otherwise sound. The OM648 straight-six in particular is highly regarded for its durability and smoothness, making preservation worthwhile. A quality rebuilt OM647 or OM648 costs £2,000-£3,500 supply only. W211 examples with good service history still command £2,500-£6,000 used. A replacement engine with warranty costs less than financing a newer car. Specialist fitting adds £400-£800, not dealer rates of £1,500+.

What is the most reliable engine in the E Class 270 / 300 CDI range-

The OM648 3.2-litre straight-six is widely regarded as one of the most durable diesel engines Mercedes ever built. OM648 features a cast iron block and DOHC valvetrain. Power output of 204 hp and 500 Nm torque. Known for exceptional smoothness and longevity. Replaced by the OM642 V6 in 2006, which introduced oil cooler seal issues.

What causes injector failure in the OM647 and OM648 engines-

Injector seals degrade over time, allowing combustion gases to leak past. The Common Rail fuel system operates at very high pressure, requiring careful maintenance. Copper sealing washers fail, causing 'Black Death' carbon buildup. Injector offset values require correct programming. Using low-quality diesel fuel accelerates injector wear. Injector replacement should be done with new seals and hold-down bolts.

How long does a Mercedes E Class 300 CDI engine last-

With proper maintenance and 8,000-10,000 mile oil changes, OM648 engines regularly reach 300,000-400,000 miles. Many examples exceed 500,000 km in taxi and fleet use. OM648 straight-six bottom end is near-indestructible. Injector seal replacement at 80k-150k miles is the key maintenance item. Regular oil changes are critical for turbocharger longevity. The OM648 is considered one of Mercedes' most durable engines ever produced.

Mercedes E Class 270 / 300 CDI SPECIALISTS

Mercedes Benz E Class 270 / 300 CDI Engine Replacement Compare Prices & Get Quotes

Get quotes today from trusted UK Mercedes Benz E Class 270 CDI and 300 CDI engine specialists. Compare prices on reconditioned, rebuilt and used OM647 and OM648 diesel engines - supply & fit available nationwide.

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Mercedes Benz E Class 270 / 300 CDI Engine

from£1,500 to £3,500

Usedfrom £900
Reconditionedfrom £1,500
Common codesOM612.961, OM647.961, OM648.961

Mercedes Benz e-class 270 / 300 CDI Used Engine — OM612.961

Mercedes Benz e-classUsed Engine — OM612.961

Mercedes Benz e-class 270 / 300 CDI Reconditioned Engine — OM612.961

Mercedes Benz e-classReconditioned Engine — OM612.961

Mercedes Benz e-class 270 / 300 CDI Rebuilt Engine — OM612.961

Mercedes Benz e-classRebuilt Engine — OM612.961

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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 270 CDI / 300 CDI Engine History & Specs at a Glance

The E 270 CDI and E 300 CDI badges represented Mercedes-Benz's five-cylinder and six-cylinder diesel offerings across the W210 and W211 E-Class generations. The E 270 CDI used the OM612 and OM647 2.7-litre inline-five turbodiesels, while the E 300 CDI utilised the OM648 3.2-litre straight-six - the last of the legendary inline-six diesels before the V6 OM642 era.

1999
W210 E 270 CDI launched with OM612.961 2.7-litre five-cylinder turbodiesel, 125 kW (170 hp)
**1999-2002** - OM612.961 fitted to W210 E 270 CDI saloon and estate
2002
W211 E 270 CDI launched with updated OM647.961 engine, 130 kW (177 hp)
**2002-2005** - OM647 DE 27 LA fitted to W211 E 270 CDI (130 kW / 177 hp)
2002
W211 E 300 CDI launched with OM648.961 3.2-litre straight-six diesel, 150 kW (204 hp)
**2002-2006** - OM648 fitted to E 300 CDI and E 320 CDI models
2005
OM648 production ends; replaced by OM642 V6 diesel
2009
W211 production ends; W212 generation introduced

Every engine fitted to the Mercedes E Class 270 CDI and 300 CDI is covered below, with UK rebuilt pricing and known failure points.

Engine Codes & Pricing

Mercedes Benz E Class 270 CDI / 300 CDI Engine Codes Specifications & Replacement Cost

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

OM612.961 — 2.7L Diesel (1999-2002)

Power Output: 125 kW (170 hp) at 4,200 rpm
Torque: 370 Nm at 1,600 rpm
Years Fitted: 1999-2002 (W210 E-Class)

Can’t find your exact engine code?-> Get quotes for OM612 Mercedes E Class 270 CDI engine replacement

-> Get quotes for OM612 Mercedes E Class 270 CDI engine replacement

Common Problems

Mercedes E Class 270 CDI / 300 CDI Engine Problems Repair Cost vs Replacement

The OM612, OM647, and OM648 engines that power the E Class 270 CDI and 300 CDI are among the most robust diesel engines Mercedes ever produced - properly maintained examples regularly exceed 300,000 miles. However, injector seal failure ("Black Death") dominates replacement enquiries across all three engine families. 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

"Black Death" Injector Seal Failure

Affected: Mercedes E Class 270 CDI / 300 CDI (OM612, OM647, OM648, 1999-2006)
Typical failure mileage: 80,000 - 150,000 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. Injector seals cost as little as £1 each, but labour and specialist tools make the repair significantly more expensive.

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	£3,500-£5,000	£1,900-£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 W211 E 300 CDI with good bodywork and transmission, a rebuilt engine often makes more sense than a costly extraction job. The OM648 is a particularly desirable engine - its straight-six smoothness and durability make it worth preserving.

-> Compare rebuilt OM612 / OM647 / OM648 Mercedes E Class 270 / 300 CDI engine prices

Turbocharger & Glow Plug Issues

Affected: Mercedes E Class 270 CDI / 300 CDI (OM647, OM648, 2002-2006)
Typical failure mileage: 100,000 - 180,000 miles

Root cause

The variable geometry turbocharger (VNT) can suffer from sticking vanes due to carbon buildup from soot. Glow plugs can fail, causing cold-start difficulties and increased emissions. The Common Rail fuel system requires high-pressure maintenance.

Repair options

Repair tier	Dealer price	Specialist price
Minor - Glow Plug Replacement	£300-£500	£150-£300
Intermediate - Turbocharger Repair	£800-£1,500	£500-£900
Full Replacement - Rebuilt Engine	£3,500-£5,000	£1,900-£3,500

Our recommendation

Glow plug replacement is a straightforward job at a specialist. Turbocharger issues should be diagnosed early - sticking vanes can be cleaned, but if ignored, turbo failure can send debris into the engine. If caught early, the £500-£900 specialist turbo repair is excellent value.

-> Get OM647 / OM648 Mercedes E Class 270 / 300 CDI turbo and glow plug quotes

Don't Let Engine Failure Write Off Your Mercedes E Class 270 CDI or 300 CDI

Whether your E Class 270 CDI or 300 CDI is suffering from injector "Black Death", turbocharger issues, or glow plug problems, 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 270 / 300 CDI Engine Replacement Prices Now ->

FAQ

Mercedes E Class 270 CDI / 300 CDI Engine ReplacementFrequently Asked Questions

Everything Mercedes Benz E Class 270 / 300 CDI owners usually ask before choosing a rebuilt, reconditioned or used replacement engine.

Short summary: Supply-only rebuilt OM612 or OM647 engines range from £1,900 to £3,200 depending on engine code and condition. With specialist fitting, budget £2,300-£4,000 total.

OM612.961 (E 270 CDI, 170 hp, 1999-2002): rebuilt £1,900-£2,800
OM647.961 (E 270 CDI, 177 hp, 2002-2005): rebuilt £2,000-£3,200
OM648.961 (E 300 CDI, 204 hp, 2002-2006): rebuilt £2,200-£3,500
Labour adds £400-£800 depending on specialist location

-> Compare Mercedes E Class 270 CDI engine replacement costs by entering your reg now

Short summary: Visible black, crusty carbon deposits around the injector bases under the engine cover - along with a diesel smell in the cabin or engine bay.

Hard, tar-like carbon buildup around one or more injectors is the classic sign
May be accompanied by a chuffing sound from the leaking injector seal
If ignored, injectors can seize in the head, requiring specialist extraction
Early replacement of seals (£350-£550 at a specialist) prevents costly head damage

-> Get quotes for OM612 / OM647 / OM648 injector seal replacement before it's too late

Short summary: Yes, if the car is otherwise sound. The OM648 straight-six in particular is highly regarded for its durability and smoothness, making preservation worthwhile.

A quality rebuilt OM647 or OM648 costs £2,000-£3,500 supply only
W211 examples with good service history still command £2,500-£6,000 used
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 270 / 300 CDI engine prices for your mileage and budget

Short summary: The OM648 3.2-litre straight-six is widely regarded as one of the most durable diesel engines Mercedes ever built.

OM648 features a cast iron block and DOHC valvetrain
Power output of 204 hp and 500 Nm torque
Known for exceptional smoothness and longevity
Replaced by the OM642 V6 in 2006, which introduced oil cooler seal issues

-> Find a reconditioned OM648 Mercedes E Class 300 CDI engine with warranty

Short summary: Injector seals degrade over time, allowing combustion gases to leak past. The Common Rail fuel system operates at very high pressure, requiring careful maintenance.

Copper sealing washers fail, causing "Black Death" carbon buildup
Injector offset values require correct programming
Using low-quality diesel fuel accelerates injector wear
Injector replacement should be done with new seals and hold-down bolts

-> Get OM647 / OM648 Mercedes E Class injector replacement quotes

Short summary: With proper maintenance and 8,000-10,000 mile oil changes, OM648 engines regularly reach 300,000-400,000 miles. Many examples exceed 500,000 km in taxi and fleet use.

OM648 straight-six bottom end is near-indestructible
Injector seal replacement at 80k-150k miles is the key maintenance item
Regular oil changes are critical for turbocharger longevity
The OM648 is considered one of Mercedes' most durable engines ever produced

-> Compare Mercedes E Class 300 CDI engine replacement quotes - be ready when the time comes

Why Choose Us

Compare Mercedes E Class 270 / 300 CDI Engine Prices Today

Comparing quotes for your Mercedes E Class 270 CDI or 300 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 OM612, a reconditioned OM647, a rebuilt OM648, or a fully remanufactured unit with warranty and fitting. Don't pay main dealer premiums - compare, choose, and get back on the road with confidence.

500+500+ E Class diesel engines supplied through our network

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