Mercedes Benz R Class 350/500 Petrol Engine Replacement Compare Prices & Get Quotes

Short summary: A rebuilt M272 engine for the R 350 costs £2,800-£4,500 supply-only; a rebuilt M273 V8 for the R 500 costs £3,800-£6,800 supply-only. Fitting adds £800-£1,500 depending on complexity - V8 work requires specialist knowledge.

• R 350 (M272.967): rebuilt unit £2,800-£4,500; used engine from £1,500
• R 500 (M113.970): rebuilt unit £3,200-£5,800; used engine from £1,800
• R 500 (M273.963): rebuilt unit £3,800-£6,800; used engine from £2,200
• M272 balance shaft replacement: £1,900-£2,900 at specialist
• M273 timing chain replacement: £1,200-£1,900 at specialist

Short summary: Check engine light with correlation codes P0018, P0019 and engine misfires are the classic warning signs on the M272 engine. This was a known issue across 2006-2007 Mercedes V6 models.

• Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes (P0018, P0019)
• Engine misfires - one R350 owner reported codes for cylinders 4, 5 and 6 misfiring
• Poor engine performance
• Rough running at idle

Short summary: The M272 V6 and M273 V8 are fundamentally strong engines, but have well-documented weaknesses. The M272 suffers from balance shaft wear on pre-2007 engines, while the M273 can develop timing chain guide degradation. With these addressed, both are capable of 150,000+ miles.

• M272 V6 is smooth and refined but pre-2007 balance shaft wear is a critical issue
• M273 V8 delivers effortless power but timing chain guides require attention
• M113 V8 is robust but plastic timing chain guides degrade with age
• Regular oil changes with MB 229.5 spec oil are essential

Short summary: Properly maintained M272 and M273 engines routinely reach 150,000-200,000 miles before major work is needed. Balance shaft issues on the M272 typically appear between 60,000-100,000 miles.

• M272 (R 350): 150,000-200,000 miles with regular servicing
• M273 (R 500): 150,000-200,000 miles with proper maintenance
• Balance shaft inspection recommended from 60,000 miles on M272
• Service interval is 10,000 miles or 12 months - use Mercedes-spec MB 229.5 oil

Short summary: Yes, if the R Class is otherwise in good condition with no rust or major transmission faults. A rebuilt M272 costs £2,800-£4,500 - comparable to the value of a £3,000-£8,000 vehicle. The R 500's higher value (£4,000-£10,000) makes replacement even more justifiable for well-maintained examples.

• R 350 values: £3,000-£8,000 depending on condition
• R 500 values: £4,000-£10,000 - premium V8 models retain stronger values
• Rebuilt engine with upgraded components fixes original weak points
• Supply & fit typically £3,600-£8,300 depending on engine code
• New engine includes 12-month unlimited mileage warranty

Short summary: Mercedes-Benz specifies MB 229.5 high-performance oil - typically 5W-30 or 5W-40 fully synthetic. The M272 requires approximately 8.0 litres; the M273 requires approximately 9.0 litres.

• M272 (R 350): MB 229.5 5W-30 or 5W-40 - 8.0L capacity
• M273 (R 500): MB 229.5 5W-30 or 5W-40 - 9.0L capacity
• Never use non-approved oil - can cause timing chain and hydraulic lifter issues
• Change every 10,000 miles or 12 months