Mercedes Benz GLE Class GLE63 Engine ReplacementCompare Prices & Get Quotes
Get quotes today from trusted UK Mercedes Benz GLE Class GLE63 AMG engine specialists. Compare prices on reconditioned, rebuilt and used engines for the hand-built 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 - supply & fit available nationwide.
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From £8,000 to £14,000
Used from £4,000 · Reconditioned from £7,000 · Common codes: M177.980
From £4,000
Tested, bare/short engine
From £7,000
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 GLE Class GLE63 Replacement Engineto Finding the Best Mercedes Benz GLE Class GLE63 Replacement Engine
Most replacements completed within 3-5 days.
Mercedes Benz GLE Class GLE63 - Engine History & Specs at a Glance
The GLE63 AMG launched with the W166 generation in 2015, powered by the M157 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 - a thunderous 585hp powerhouse carried over from the ML 63 AMG. In 2019, the all-new W167 GLE63 replaced it with the M177 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 featuring hot-vee design and, from 2023, 48V EQ Boost mild-hybrid technology. In 2026, Mercedes-AMG unveiled the comprehensively revised M177 EVO with a new flat-plane crankshaft, delivering 603hp and 627lb-ft of torque.

Mercedes Benz GLE Class GLE63 - Engine History & Specs at a Glance
The GLE63 AMG launched with the W166 generation in 2015, powered by the M157 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 - a thunderous 585hp powerhouse carried over from the ML 63 AMG. In 2019, the all-new W167 GLE63 replaced it with the M177 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 featuring hot-vee design and, from 2023, 48V EQ Boost mild-hybrid technology. In 2026, Mercedes-AMG unveiled the comprehensively revised M177 EVO with a new flat-plane crankshaft, delivering 603hp and 627lb-ft of torque.
Mercedes Benz GLE Class GLE63
Engine History Timeline
M157.982 5.5L twin-turbo V8, 557-585hp (GLE63 / GLE63 S, W166)
M177.980 4.0L twin-turbo V8, 571hp (GLE63) / 612hp (GLE63 S, W167)
M177.980 with 48V EQ Boost mild hybrid added
M177 EVO 4.0L twin-turbo V8 with flat-plane crankshaft, 603hp (GLE63 S)
Key Specs Snapshot
Every engine fitted to the Mercedes Benz GLE Class GLE63 is covered below, with UK rebuilt pricing and known failure points - from M157 cylinder scoring to M177 oil separator and rear main seal issues.
Mercedes Benz GLE Class GLE63 Engine Codes - Specifications & Replacement CostMercedes Benz GLE Class GLE63 Engine Codes - Specifications & Replacement Cost
5.5L Twin-Turbo V8 (2015-2019)
Compatible Trim Levels
- GLE63 4MATIC
- GLE63 S 4MATIC
- GLE63 4MATIC Coupe
- GLE63 S 4MATIC Coupe (W166)

Find your exact engine code, specs and UK replacement cost guide.
Used
Tested, ready-to-fit engine
£3,000-£5,000
Reconditioned
Addressed known issues, tested
£6,000-£8,000
Rebuilt
Full teardown, upgraded internals
£7,000-£10,000
Common Failure
Cylinder bore scoring - the M157 V8 can suffer from cylinder wall wear, leading to oil consumption and, in severe cases, loss of compression. Turbocharger oil feed line leaks and high-pressure fuel pump failures have also been reported on higher-mileage units.


The GLE63's M177 twin-turbo V8 is one of AMG's most impressive modern engines - a hand-built masterpiece built in Affalterbach according to the "One man, one engine" philosophy. However, as these vehicles accumulate mileage, several well-documented issues can drive significant repair costs. The most frequent and expensive problem is oil separator failure, which often leads to rear main seal leaks. Every rebuilt engine supplied through EnginesMarket includes upgraded components addressing the original failure point, plus a minimum 12-month unlimited-mileage warranty.

The Most Expensive M177 Problem
Affected Vehicles
Mercedes GLE63 AMG 4MATIC+ (M177.980, 2019-present)
Typical Failure Mileage
40,000-80,000 miles
Root Cause
The oil separator (part of the crankcase ventilation system) fails, causing unbalanced crankcase pressure. Excessive positive pressure forces oil past engine seals, or excessive negative pressure (vacuum) pulls seals inward, distorting them. The rear main seal - sitting at the back of the crankshaft where the engine meets the transmission - is often the first to fail. Symptoms include oil dripping from the rear of the engine, oil around the transmission bellhousing, or a burning oil smell. A whistling or howling sound at idle can also indicate excessive vacuum.
Why It Happens
The oil separator (part of the crankcase ventilation system) fails, causing unbalanced crankcase pressure. Excessive positive pressure forces oil past engine seals, or excessive negative pressure (vacuum) pulls seals inward, distorting them. The rear main seal - sitting at the back of the crankshaft where the engine meets the transmission - is often the first to fail. Symptoms include oil dripping from the rear of the engine, oil around the transmission bellhousing, or a burning oil smell. A whistling or howling sound at idle can also indicate excessive vacuum.
Dealer (parts + labour)
£200-£400
Specialist (parts + labour)
£150-£300
What it involves
Check crankcase pressure with oil cap test, inspect oil separator
Suitability
Confirms whether separator or seal is the root cause
Dealer (parts + labour)
£1,000-£1,500
Specialist (parts + labour)
£600-£900
What it involves
Replace oil separator, inspect crankcase ventilation system
Suitability
If caught before seal damage occurs
Dealer (parts + labour)
£3,500-£5,000
Specialist (parts + labour)
£2,500-£3,500
What it involves
Replace rear main seal, drop transmission, inspect flywheel
Suitability
If seal has failed but no bottom-end damage
Dealer (parts + labour)
£12,000-£18,000
Specialist (parts + labour)
£8,000-£14,000
What it involves
Supply & fit rebuilt M177 with upgraded oil separator, new rear main seal, full gasket set
Suitability
If oil loss has caused bearing or bottom-end damage
| Repair Tier | Dealer (Parts + Labour) | Specialist (Parts + Labour) | What It Involves | Suitability | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Diagnosis - Oil separator check Minor | £200-£400 | £150-£300 | Check crankcase pressure with oil cap test, inspect oil separator | Confirms whether separator or seal is the root cause | |
Intermediate - Oil separator replacement Best Value | £1,000-£1,500 | £600-£900 | Replace oil separator, inspect crankcase ventilation system | If caught before seal damage occurs | |
Major - Rear main seal replacement Best Value | £3,500-£5,000 | £2,500-£3,500 | Replace rear main seal, drop transmission, inspect flywheel | If seal has failed but no bottom-end damage | |
Full Replacement - Rebuilt M177 engine Best Value | £12,000-£18,000 | £8,000-£14,000 | Supply & fit rebuilt M177 with upgraded oil separator, new rear main seal, full gasket set | If oil loss has caused bearing or bottom-end damage |
Vehicle Value Check
Vehicle Value Check
A typical 2019-present GLE63 AMG 4MATIC+ is worth approximately £40,000-£85,000 depending on mileage and condition. The GLE63 sits firmly in the £15,000+ band - replacement cost is typically small relative to vehicle value, making a full rebuilt engine a justifiable investment for owners of these high-value performance SUVs.
Our Recommendation
Our Recommendation
The oil separator is the root cause of most M177 rear main seal leaks. A simple test - attempting to remove the oil fill cap at idle - can reveal excessive vacuum (cap difficult to remove) or excessive pressure (air release). If you notice oil around the transmission bellhousing or a burning oil smell, have the crankcase pressure checked immediately. If caught early, replacing the oil separator alone (£600-£900 at a specialist) prevents the much more expensive rear main seal replacement. If the rear main seal has already failed, replacing both the seal and the oil separator together is the only sensible approach. On a GLE63 worth £40,000-£85,000, the full rebuilt engine route is justifiable if bottom-end damage has occurred.

Don't Let Oil Separator Failure, Rear Main Seal Leaks, or Intercooler Issues Write Off Your Mercedes GLE63 AMG
Whether you're facing M177 oil separator failure on your GLE63, intercooler leaks, or oil pump wiring issues, EnginesMarket makes it simple to compare quotes from trusted UK Mercedes AMG specialists. Every rebuilt engine in our network carries upgraded components addressing the original design weakness - plus a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty with nationwide delivery and supply & fit options. Don't pay main dealer premiums. Compare prices from independent AMG specialists who know these hand-built V8 engines inside out.
Compare rebuilt M177 Mercedes GLE63 engine prices
Important 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 GLE Class GLE63. Every engine supplied through EnginesMarket carries a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty - always confirm exact terms with your chosen supplier."
Mercedes Benz GLE Class GLE63 Engine ReplacementFrequently Asked Questions
Question 1How much does a Mercedes GLE63 AMG engine replacement cost in the UK-
Short summary: A rebuilt M177 V8 engine for the GLE63 costs £8,000-£14,000 supply-only. Fitting adds £1,500-£2,500 depending on complexity - AMG V8 work requires specialist knowledge.
- GLE63 V8 (M177.980): rebuilt unit £8,000-£14,000; used engine from £4,000
- GLE63 S (M177.980): rebuilt unit £8,500-£14,000
- Oil separator replacement (labour only): £600-£900 at specialist
- Rear main seal replacement (labour only): £2,500-£3,500 at specialist
Question 2What are the signs of oil separator failure on a Mercedes GLE63-
Short summary: The most common sign is a burning oil smell or oil dripping from the rear of the engine. A simple test - attempting to remove the oil fill cap at idle - can reveal excessive vacuum (cap difficult to remove) or excessive pressure (air release). A whistling or howling sound at idle is another early indicator.
- Oil around the transmission bellhousing - classic sign of rear main seal leak
- Burning oil smell from the engine bay
- Whistling or howling sound from the engine at idle
- Oil fill cap difficult to remove at idle (excessive vacuum)
- If caught early, oil separator replacement costs £600-£900
Question 3Is the Mercedes GLE63 V8 engine (M177) reliable-
Short summary: The M177 is a fundamentally strong hand-built AMG V8 - one of Mercedes' most impressive modern engines. It has a small number of well-documented weak points (oil separator, rear main seal, intercooler leaks) that are well understood by specialists. With proper maintenance, the M177 routinely exceeds 100,000 miles.
- M177 is a hand-built AMG masterpiece built in Affalterbach
- Oil separator and rear main seal issues are the most frequent problems
- Intercooler leaks and oil pump wiring issues have also been reported
- Regular oil changes (every 10,000 miles) are essential - use MB 229.5 spec oil
Question 4How long does a Mercedes GLE63 engine last-
Short summary: Properly maintained M177 V8 engines routinely reach 100,000-150,000 miles before major work, though oil separator and rear main seal issues can occur from 40,000 miles.
- M177 (2019-present): 100,000-150,000 miles with regular servicing
- Oil separator and rear main seal issues from 40,000-80,000 miles
- Service interval is 10,000 miles or 12 months - use Mercedes-spec oil only
- Late oil changes accelerate oil separator failure and turbocharger wear
Question 5Is it worth replacing the engine in my Mercedes GLE63-
Short summary: Yes, if the GLE63 is otherwise in good condition with no rust or major electrical faults. A rebuilt M177 costs £8,000-£14,000 - far less than replacing a £40,000-£85,000 vehicle. The GLE63's strong residual values make engine replacement financially justifiable.
- GLE63 values: £40,000-£85,000 depending on year, mileage and condition
- Rebuilt engine with upgraded components fixes original weak points
- Supply & fit typically £9,500-£16,500 depending on engine code
- New engine includes 12-month unlimited mileage warranty
Question 6What oil does my Mercedes GLE63 AMG need-
Short summary: Mercedes-Benz specifies MB 229.5 high-performance oil - typically 5W-30 or 5W-40 fully synthetic. The M177 V8 requires approximately 9.5 litres.
- M177 (GLE63): MB 229.5 5W-30 or 5W-40 - high-spec synthetic only
- Never use non-approved oil - destroys timing chain tensioners and hydraulic lifters
- Change every 10,000 miles or 12 months - stretched intervals cause oil separator failure
- The 48V system (on later models) requires specialist maintenance
Compare Mercedes GLE Class GLE63Engine PricesToday
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supply & fit available for M177
Comparing quotes for your Mercedes GLE63 AMG is completely free, with no obligation and no pressure. Enter your registration above to get tailored quotes from UK Mercedes AMG specialists who understand the M177 V8 inside out. Whether you need a used engine, a reconditioned unit, or a full rebuilt engine with upgraded oil separator, rear main seal, and intercooler components, we'll connect you with the right specialist for your exact GLE63 - with a minimum 12-month warranty on every engine supplied.

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