R Class Diesel Engines
from £2,995 to £4,500
Rebuilt units from £2,995 · Common codes: OM642.950, OM642.870, OM642.872, OM642 LS
Get quotes from trusted UK Mercedes R Class engine specialists. Compare reconditioned & used engines for R 280 to R 63 AMG - M272/OM642 covered. Get a quote before it's too late.
R Class Diesel Engines
from £2,995 to £4,500
Rebuilt units from £2,995 · Common codes: OM642.950, OM642.870, OM642.872, OM642 LS
R Class Petrol Engines
from £2,500 to £4,200
Rebuilt units from £2,500 · Common codes: M272.967, M272.945, M272 E35
R Class V8 & AMG Engines
from £4,500 to £12,000
Rebuilt units from £4,500 · Common codes: M273.963, M113.970, M156.980

Most replacements completed within 3-5 days.
Table shows typical UK rebuilt engine costs for Mercedes Benz R Class variants, with failure causes, chassis codes, engine codes, fuel types and sizes from verified market data.


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Not sure which variant your Mercedes Benz R Class is- Enter your registration number above - we'll identify the exact sub-model, engine code and compatible replacement options instantly.

Every engine code fitted to the Mercedes Benz R Class across all generations, with technical specs, compatible variants and trims, known failure points, and average rebuilt prices from UK specialists. Select any engine code to compare quotes.
Extracted from detailed diesel engine families across Mercedes Benz R Class variants.

OM642.950 - 3.0L Diesel
Main replacement triggers are timing chain wear, EGR / cooling faults and turbo-control issues.
Compatible variants
Avg. rebuilt price
£2,800 - £4,600
Supply only
Technical specifications
Common failures
Not sure which engine code?
Can't find your engine code- Enter your registration number above - we'll instantly identify the exact unit, its technical specifications, and live replacement prices from UK Mercedes Benz R Class engine specialists. Every rebuilt engine comes with a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty.

Mercedes Benz R Class reliability is heavily influenced by the OM642 V6 diesel and M272 V6 petrol families, both of which carry well-documented failure points that often dictate replacement decisions. Every rebuilt Mercedes Benz R Class engine supplied through our network features upgraded internal components engineered to resolve these original design...
Mercedes Benz R Class Timing Chain Failure
Most affected vehicles
Mercedes Benz R Class R 320 CDI, R 350 CDI, R 300 CDI (2006-2012, OM642.950, OM642.870, OM642.872)
Failure mileage range
80,000 - 120,000 miles
Typical failure window
Root cause
The rear-mounted tensioner loses hydraulic pressure over time, allowing the timing chain to stretch and prematurely wear plastic guides.
Repair options & estimated costs (UK ranges)
| Repair tier | Dealer price | Specialist price | What it involves | Longevity / suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor - Preventative Chain & Guide Replacement | £1,800 - £2,800 | £1,200 - £1,900 | Full chain tension, guide swap, and updated tensioner fit without engine removal | 60k-80k miles if caught before rattling escalates |
| Full Replacement - Rebuilt OM642 Engine | £4,800 - £6,500 | £3,200 - £4,800 | Engine removal, bench rebuild with upgraded timing assembly, new seals, supply & fit installation | 100k+ miles with 12-month unlimited mileage warranty |
Our recommendation
If you hear a metallic rattle on cold start between 900-1,200rpm, act immediately. A preventative chain and guide replacement is cost-effective on low-mileage examples. Once plastic guide fragments enter the oil sump or the tensioner fully collapses, a complete Mercedes Benz R Class OM642 rebuilt engine is the safer, more economical route.
Compare rebuilt OM642 engine prices for your Mercedes Benz R Class
Every engine type is available through our uk network with typical price ranges based on your r class variant, engine code and budget requirements.
Compare Mercedes Benz R Class engine prices with vetted UK suppliers
All engine types include a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty when sourced through EngineMarket. Prices are typical UK market ranges based on historical quote data from our network and depend on exact engine code, variant, mileage and supplier. Use our free comparison tool above - enter your registration to get tailored quotes for your specific Mercedes Benz R Class within hours.

The 3.0-litre OM642 V6 diesel was the sole compression-ignition powerplant offered in the UK R-Class range from launch through to the final facelift. It formed the backbone of the lineup, balancing strong low-end torque for a heavy seven-seat MPV with relatively refined NVH characteristics. Despite its robust construction, prolonged high-load usage and missed service intervals expose critical weaknesses in the timing and lubrication systems.
Engine Code(s)
OM642.870, OM642.872, OM642.950, OM642 LS DE30 LA
Compatible Models (UK)
R 280 CDI, R 300 CDI, R 320 CDI, R 350 CDI, R 350 BlueTEC
Power output
Verified by registration
Common Failure Points
Rear timing chain tensioner collapse, oil cooler seal degradation leading to coolant contamination
Production Years: W251, 2006-2012
Get quotes for Mercedes Benz R Class 3.0L diesel engines
The 3.0-litre OM642 V6 diesel powered every UK R-Class diesel variant from launch to end of production, dominating replacement enquiries due to timing chain and oil cooler seal vulnerabilities.
Common Mercedes Benz R Class Diesel Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Diesel Models
The 3.0-litre OM642 V6 diesel powered every UK R-Class diesel variant from launch to end of production, dominating replacement enquiries due to timing chain and oil cooler seal vulnerabilities.
Common Mercedes Benz R Class Diesel Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Diesel Models
Petrol R-Class variants span naturally aspirated V6 and V8 units from the M272, M113, M273 and hand-built AMG M156 families, with pre-2007 M272 balance shaft wear a critical replacement trigger.
Common Mercedes Benz R Class Petrol Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Petrol Models
Not sure which fuel type your Mercedes Benz R Class has- Enter your registration number above to instantly identify your engine code, fuel system and compatible replacement options - all backed by a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty from UK Mercedes Benz R Class specialists.

This technical timeline tracks every engine introduction, facelift update, and fuel system change across the W251/V251 generation so you can instantly identify your unit and compare rebuilt prices from UK specialists.
⚙Key Changes
▣Main Engines
OM642.870- 3.0L diesel (R 280 CDI)
OM642.950- 3.0L diesel (R 320 CDI)
M272.945- 3.0L petrol (R 280)
M272.967- 3.5L petrol (R 350)
M113.970- 5.0L petrol (Early R 500)
▰Popular Models
🔧Known For
Engine Codes Covered:
OM642.870OM642.950M272.945M272.967M113.970