Mercedes Benz S Class S63 Engine Replacement Compare Prices & Get Quotes

Short summary: A rebuilt M157 engine for the S63 costs £7,000-£10,000 supply-only; a rebuilt M177 engine costs £8,000-£12,000 supply-only. Fitting adds £1,500-£2,500 depending on complexity - AMG V8 work requires specialist knowledge.

• S63 (M157): rebuilt unit £7,000-£10,000; used engine from £3,500
• S63 (M177.980): rebuilt unit £8,000-£12,000; used engine from £4,500
• M177 oil separator replacement: £1,000-£1,600 at specialist
• M177 rear main seal replacement: £3,000-£4,500 at specialist
• M157 timing chain tensioner replacement: £1,000-£1,600 at specialist

Short summary: The most common sign is a burning oil smell or oil dripping from the rear of the engine. A whistling noise or rough idle can also be early indicators. If ignored, oil separator failure leads to rear main seal leaks and potentially bottom-end damage.

• 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
• Rough idle or vibration - can indicate crankcase pressure issues
• If caught early, oil separator replacement costs £1,000-£1,600

Short summary: The M157 and M177 are fundamentally strong hand-built AMG V8s - some of Mercedes' most impressive modern engines. The M157 has known timing chain and oil consumption issues, while the M177 suffers from oil separator, rear main seal, intercooler leak, and oil pump wiring harness (P06DA00) problems. With proper maintenance and early intervention on known issues, these engines routinely exceed 100,000 miles.

• Both engines are hand-built AMG masterpieces
• M177 oil separator and rear main seal issues are the most frequent problems
• M177 intercooler leaks can cause catastrophic engine damage
• M177 oil pump wiring harness failure (P06DA00) requires engine-out repair
• M157 timing chain tensioner wear and oil consumption are well-documented
• Regular oil changes (every 10,000 miles) are essential - use MB 229.5 spec oil

Short summary: Properly maintained M157 V8 engines routinely reach 100,000-150,000 miles before major work, though timing chain and oil consumption issues can occur from 40,000 miles. The M177 is too new for definitive long-term data, but with proactive maintenance on known issues, 100,000+ miles is achievable.

• M157 (2011-2017): 100,000-150,000 miles with regular servicing
• M177 (2018-2021): too early for definitive data - oil separator, intercooler and oil pump issues from 40k-80k miles
• Service interval is 10,000 miles or 12 months - use Mercedes-spec oil only
• Late oil changes accelerate timing chain wear and turbocharger issues

Short summary: Yes, if the S63 is otherwise in good condition with no rust or major electrical faults. A rebuilt M157 costs £7,000-£10,000 - far less than replacing a £20,000-£45,000 vehicle. The M177's higher value (£45,000-£85,000) makes replacement even more financially justifiable.

• S63 (W221/W222 pre-facelift) values: £20,000-£45,000 depending on year, mileage and condition
• S63 (W222 facelift) values: £45,000-£85,000 - flagship AMG values remain strong
• Rebuilt engine with upgraded components fixes original weak points
• Supply & fit typically £8,500-£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 M157 V8 requires approximately 9.5 litres; the M177 V8 requires approximately 9.5 litres.

• M157 (S63): MB 229.5 5W-30 or 5W-40 - 9.5L capacity
• M177 (S63): MB 229.5 5W-30 or 5W-40 - 9.5L capacity
• Never use non-approved oil - can cause timing chain and hydraulic lifter issues
• Change every 10,000 miles or 12 months - stretched intervals cause oil separator failure and turbo wear