Mercedes Benz S Class S600 V12 Engine Replacement Compare Prices & Get Quotes

Short summary: A rebuilt M275 V12 for the S600 costs £7,500-£10,000 supply-only; a rebuilt M279 V12 costs £8,500-£12,000 supply-only. Fitting adds £1,500-£2,500 depending on complexity - V12 work requires specialist knowledge.

• S600 (M275.953): rebuilt unit £7,500-£10,000; used engine from £3,500
• S600 (M279.980): rebuilt unit £8,500-£12,000; used engine from £4,500
• M275 ignition transformer replacement: £500-£900 at specialist
• M279 turbocharger replacement: £3,000-£5,000 at specialist

Short summary: Misfires on multiple cylinders, rough running, and check engine lights are the classic warning signs on the M275 engine. The central voltage transformer and individual coil packs are a known weak point.

• Misfires on cylinders across both banks - classic M275 symptom
• Rough idle or loss of power under acceleration
• Check engine light with multiple cylinder misfire codes
• If caught early, transformer replacement costs £500-£900 at specialist

Short summary: The M275 and M279 V12s are hand-built masterpieces, but they have known issues. The M275 is notorious for ignition coil and transformer failures, while the M279 can suffer from turbocharger and oil leak issues. With these addressed, both engines are fundamentally strong.

• M275 ignition system is the most common failure point
• M279 turbocharger issues and oil leaks have been reported
• Regular maintenance with Mercedes-spec oils is essential
• Well-maintained V12 engines exceed 100,000 miles

Short summary: Properly maintained M275 and M279 V12 engines can reach 150,000+ miles, but ignition system and turbocharger issues typically require attention before then. One owner reported an M275 engine still running strong at 140,000 miles.

• M275 (S600 W220/W221): 100,000-150,000 miles with regular servicing
• M279 (S600 W222): too early for definitive data - turbo issues from 40k-80k miles
• Service interval is 10,000 miles or 12 months - use Mercedes-spec MB 229.5 oil
• Late oil changes accelerate turbocharger and timing chain wear

Short summary: Yes, if the S600 is otherwise in good condition with no rust or major transmission faults. A rebuilt M275 costs £7,500-£10,000 - significantly less than replacing a £8,000-£25,000 vehicle. For the W222 S600, the higher value (£20,000-£45,000) makes replacement even more justifiable.

• S600 (W220/W221) values: £8,000-£25,000 depending on year, mileage and condition
• S600 (W222) values: £20,000-£45,000 - flagship V12 values remain strong
• Rebuilt engine with upgraded components fixes original weak points
• Supply & fit typically £9,000-£14,500 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 M275 V12 requires approximately 10 litres; the M279 V12 requires approximately 11 litres.

• M275 (S600 W220/W221): MB 229.5 5W-30 or 5W-40 - 10L capacity
• M279 (S600 W222): MB 229.5 5W-30 or 5W-40 - 11L capacity
• Never use non-approved oil - can cause turbocharger and timing chain issues
• Change every 10,000 miles or 12 months - stretched intervals cause turbo wear