Mercedes Benz E Class 270 / 300 CDI Engine ReplacementCompare 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.
Supply & Fit Available
12-Month Warranty
Nationwide Delivery
100+ Suppliers
From £1,500 to £3,500
Used from £900 · Reconditioned from £1,500 · Common codes: OM612.961, OM647.961, OM648.961
From £900
Tested, bare/short engine
From £1,500
Rod bearings addressed, tested
From quote
Upgraded bearings, full teardown, revised valvetrain
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3 Simple Steps3 Simple Stepsto Finding the Best Mercedes Benz E Class 270 / 300 CDI Replacement Engineto Finding the Best Mercedes Benz E Class 270 / 300 CDI Replacement Engine
Most replacements completed within 3-5 days.
Variant HistoryMercedes 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.
Variant HistoryMercedes 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.
Mercedes Benz E Class 270 CDI / 300 CDI
Fuel TypeDiesel
Engine Size Range2.7L - 3.2L (2,685 cc - 3,222 cc)
Power Output Range170-204 hp across the variant's historyEngine History Timeline
**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
Key Specs Snapshot
Fuel TypeDieselEngine Size Range2.7L - 3.2L (2,685 cc - 3,222 cc)Power Output Range170-204 hp across the variant's historyYears Produced1999-2006Every engine fitted to the Mercedes E Class 270 CDI and 300 CDI is covered below, with UK rebuilt pricing and known failure points.
Mercedes Benz E Class 270 CDI / 300 CDI Engine Codes - Specifications & Replacement CostMercedes Benz E Class 270 CDI / 300 CDI Engine Codes - Specifications & Replacement Cost
2.7L Diesel (1999-2002)
Power Output125 kW (170 hp) at 4,200 rpmTorque370 Nm at 1,600 rpmYears Fitted1999-2002 (W210 E-Class)
Compatible Trim Levels
- E 270 CDI (W210)
Find your exact engine code, specs and UK replacement cost guide.
Used
Tested, ready-to-fit engine
£800-£1,300
Reconditioned
Addressed known issues, tested
£1,500-£2,400
Rebuilt
Full teardown, upgraded internals
£1,900-£2,800
Common Failure
Injector seal leakage ("Black Death") - copper washer seals degrade, allowing combustion gases to leak past, creating hard carbon deposits around injectors. The OM612 uses the Bosch EDC 15C fuel management system. Turbocharger vane sticking and glow plug failure are also reported.
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.
Why E Class 270 / 300 CDI Diesel Engines Suffer Prematurely
Affected Vehicles
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.
Why It Happens
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.
Dealer (parts + labour)
£600-£900
Specialist (parts + labour)
£350-£550
What it involves
Removal of injectors, cleaning of injector bores, new copper seals and stretch bolts
Suitability
60,000-80,000 miles; effective if caught before carbon buildup becomes severe
1 - 2 daysDealer (parts + labour)
£1,200-£2,000
Specialist (parts + labour)
£800-£1,400
What it involves
Stuck injector removal (may require specialist extraction tools), thread repair, new seals and injectors if damaged
Suitability
100,000+ miles; necessary when injectors are seized in the head
1 - 2 daysDealer (parts + labour)
£3,500-£5,000
Specialist (parts + labour)
£1,900-£3,500
What it involves
Supply & fit of rebuilt OM612/OM647/OM648 with new injectors, seals and upgraded components
Suitability
When injector damage has compromised the cylinder head or engine has suffered consequential damage
1 - 2 daysAll prices are indicative UK market ranges based on current UK specialist supplier data.| Repair Tier | Dealer (Parts + Labour) | Specialist (Parts + Labour) | What It Involves | Suitability | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Minor - Injector Seal Replacement Minor | £600-£900 | £350-£550 | Removal of injectors, cleaning of injector bores, new copper seals and stretch bolts | 60,000-80,000 miles; effective if caught before carbon buildup becomes severe | 1 - 2 days |
 Major - Injector Extraction & Head Repair Best Value | £1,200-£2,000 | £800-£1,400 | Stuck injector removal (may require specialist extraction tools), thread repair, new seals and injectors if damaged | 100,000+ miles; necessary when injectors are seized in the head | 1 - 2 days |
Full Replacement - Rebuilt Engine Best Value | £3,500-£5,000 | £1,900-£3,500 | Supply & fit of rebuilt OM612/OM647/OM648 with new injectors, seals and upgraded components | When injector damage has compromised the cylinder head or engine has suffered consequential damage | 1 - 2 days |
Vehicle Value Check
Vehicle Value Check
A typical W210 E Class 270 CDI is worth £1,500-£4,000 depending on condition and mileage; a W211 example typically commands £2,500-£6,000【INDUSTRY ESTIMATE】. If the vehicle is worth under £3,000, a used engine or minor injector seal repair is usually the pragmatic choice. For W211 cars worth £4,000+, a rebuilt engine with warranty can be justified if the rest of the car is sound.
Our Recommendation
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.
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 rebuilt OM612 / OM647 / OM648 Mercedes E Class 270 / 300 CDI engine prices
12-Month Minimum
UK Specialists Vetted
Best Price GuidanceImportant Information
Important Information
"All prices are indicative UK market ranges based on historical quote data and repair requests from our network of engine specialists. Dealer pricing is estimated based on published main dealer labour rates and genuine OEM parts pricing. Specialist pricing reflects actual quote data from EnginesMarket's UK network. Actual costs vary depending on damage severity, vehicle condition, variant, and workshop location within the UK. Use our free comparison tool to get tailored quotes for your specific Mercedes E Class 270 CDI or 300 CDI. Every engine supplied through EnginesMarket carries a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty - always confirm exact terms with your chosen supplier."
Mercedes E Class 270 CDI / 300 CDI Engine ReplacementFrequently Asked Questions
Question 1How much does a Mercedes E Class 270 CDI engine replacement cost in the UK-
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
Question 2What are the signs of "Black Death" injector failure in an E Class 270 / 300 CDI-
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
Question 3Is it worth replacing the engine on an older E Class 270 CDI or 300 CDI-
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+
Question 4What is the most reliable engine in the E Class 270 / 300 CDI range-
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
Question 5What causes injector failure in the OM647 and OM648 engines-
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
Question 6How long does a Mercedes E Class 300 CDI engine last-
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
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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.
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