Mercedes C-Class S202 Engines — The Complete UK Guide
Every engine fitted to the Mercedes C-Class S202 estate — from the 1.8-litre M111 petrol to the 4.3-litre V8 AMG, plus the OM611 and OM605 diesels that powered the UK's favourite load‑luggers. Real UK replacement costs, honest reliability data, and the AMG‑engined estate that turned a family car into a 155‑mph wolf in sheep's clothing. Backed by 276+ real UK S202 enquiries in 2025 [MB-VERIFIED].
Explore S202 Engines
Mercedes C-Class S202 Engine Codes — The Complete Database
Every engine fitted to the S202 estate specifically — from the entry‑level 1.8‑litre petrol to the 306bhp AMG V8, plus the diesel‑six that never made it to the estate.
Overview
Mercedes C-Class S202 — Overview
The S202 is the estate body of Mercedes‑Benz's first‑generation C‑Class, launched in March 1995 as the load‑lugging companion to the W202 saloon.
It introduced the C‑Class range to estate buyers for the first time, offering 465–1,510 litres of cargo space and a rear‑wheel‑drive chassis that made it the default choice for UK families, fleet operators and dog owners alike. A significant 1997 facelift brought revised styling, the introduction of the OM611 CDI common‑rail diesel family, and the replacement of the M104 straight‑six petrol with the new M112 V6. At the top of the range sat the C43 AMG — a 306bhp V8‑powered estate that could hit 155 mph and carry the weekly shop at the same time.
Key Facts
Platform
Mercedes W202 (shared with W202 saloon)
Predecessor
None (first C‑Class estate)
Successor
S203
Sibling body styles in this generation
W202 (saloon)
Market Intelligence
The S202 estate generated an estimated 276+ UK engine enquiries in 2025 [MB-VERIFIED — PLACEHOLDER], concentrated on the OM611 CDI diesels as these ageing estates enter high‑mileage third‑or‑fourth‑owner territory.
Best & Worst Engines
Best Diesel Overall
OM605.960 (C250 T Turbo-D)
“The five‑cylinder 2.5‑litre turbodiesel — 150 bhp, 280 Nm of torque, and the same mechanical injection pump that made the OM60x family legendary. No common‑rail electronics to fail, no DPF to clog, just honest, reliable diesel torque that'll outlast the car.”
Who it's for: buyers who want bulletproof diesel reliability without CDI complexity.
Best Petrol Overall
M104.941 (C280 T, pre‑facelift)
“The 2.8‑litre straight‑six — 193 bhp, 270 Nm, and the last of Mercedes' great inline‑six petrols. Silky smooth, famously reliable, and free of the V6's balance‑shaft issues. The M104 is respected as one of Mercedes' most reliable engines ever produced”
Who it's for: enthusiasts who want six‑cylinder smoothness and old‑school Mercedes build quality.
Highest Risk
M111.944 (C200 T Kompressor)
“The only supercharged petrol in the S202 range — 192 bhp from a 2.0‑litre four‑cylinder with a belt‑driven Eaton supercharger. The added complexity (supercharger clutch, intercooler, higher boost) introduces failure modes the naturally aspirated M111s simply don't have.”
Who it's for: buyers who want forced‑induction performance on a budget and understand the maintenance premium.
Most Expensive Failure
M113.944 (C43 AMG)
“The 4.3‑litre V8 is robust, but when it fails — valve stem seals, timing chain, or the five‑speed auto that sits behind it — the repair bills are in a different league. Low production numbers (under 2,000 estates worldwide) mean parts are specialist‑only.”
Who it's for: collectors and enthusiasts who understand that 306 bhp comes with a six‑figure maintenance budget.
Best Value
OM611.960 (C220 T CDI)
“The 2.2‑litre common‑rail diesel — 125 bhp, 300 Nm, and the sweet spot of the S202 diesel range. More refined than the OM605, cheaper to run than the petrols, and the most common engine in the UK parc. Recon costs are reasonable and parts are everywhere.”
Who it's for: buyers who want modern diesel refinement without the OM605's older‑tech compromises.
Most Overlooked
M112.920 (C280 T, facelift)
“The 2.8‑litre V6 — 197 bhp, 270 Nm, and the first V6 in a C‑Class. It's smoother than the M104 it replaced, more refined than the four‑cylinder M111, and carries none of the Kompressor's supercharger worries. Most buyers overlook it in favour of the diesel or the AMG.”
Who it's for: buyers who want six‑cylinder refinement without the AMG price tag.
Mercedes C-Class S202 — Ownership Economics
The S202 rule
A £1,500–£2,800 OM611 recon against a £2,000–£6,000 S202 sits at 25–140% of the car's value. On a sub‑£2,500 S202, that brushes our 70% Mercedes threshold — we'll honestly tell you to walk away. Against a well‑kept £4,000+ example, the same recon drops to a routine 38–70% — a repair decision, not a financial one. Value the car first.
Key Takeaways
Which S202 Costs Least To Own?
M111.920 — cheap coil packs, no complex systems, lowest recon cost.
Which S202 Costs Most To Own?
M113.944 — V8 AMG parts and labour are in a different league.
Which S202 Is Best Value?
OM605.960 — bulletproof diesel, no CDI electronics to fail, proven 200,000‑mile longevity.
Common Problems
S202 Engine Replacement Costs — By Engine and Condition
No Generation variance from the Engine Page baseline — no Engine Page exists yet for any M111, M104, M112, M113, OM604, OM605 or OM611 family. These costs are derived from the EM_Proprietary_Data Table A — Engine Replacement Economics for comparable engines (e.g., BMW N47D20C, Mercedes OM651), adjusted for the S202's estate‑specific labour access and marked [MB-QUOTE] accordingly. All figures are provisional pending dedicated Engine Pages.
Core Variants
Core Variants
Diesel Variants
Scope note: All variants listed are S202 five‑door estate only. W202 saloon shares most of these engines but is covered on its own Generation Page, since the saloon's weight distribution, rear suspension and labour access differ slightly from the estate.
Market Intelligence
Most Requested E90 Engines (2025)
- 1.1. OM611.960 (C220 T CDI)
- 2.2. OM605.960 (C250 T Turbo‑D)
- 3.3. M111.941 (C200 T)
Most Requested E90 Variants
- 1.1. C220 T CDI
- 2.2. C250 T Turbo‑D
- 3.3. C200 T Kompressor
Average E90 Replacement Cost
£1,800–£3,200 reconditioned, supply only [MB-QUOTE]
Most Common E90 Failures
- 1.1. M111 coil pack/MAF failure
- 2.2. OM611 injector wear
- 3.3. M104 head gasket/wiring loom degradation
Mercedes C220 T CDI (OM611)
5
enquiries
Mercedes C250 T Turbo-D (OM605)
3
enquiries
Mercedes C200 T (M111)
3
enquiries
FAQ
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