Every CLC-Class engine covered — from the SportCoupé era (2000–2008) to the standalone CLC-Class (2008–2011). M271 Kompressor timing chain risks, OM646 “Black Death” injector seal failures, and M272 V6 balance shaft issues — with real UK replacement costs and honest economics. Backed by documented failure patterns and specialist insight [PATTERN DATA].
Explore CLC-Class Engines200+ Enquiries (2025) [PATTERN DATA]
2 Generations Covered
6 Engine Codes
Part of Engine Finders
★★★☆☆
⚠️ The CLC rule: generation is everything — the 2008–2011 facelift brought better rust protection and updated electronics, but the same fundamental engine risks
★★★☆☆
OM646 220 CDI — the 2.1-litre diesel is the pick of the range, provided “Black Death” injector seals have been addressed
M271 Kompressor — timing chain and cam gear failures are common and can be catastrophic
2008–2011 CLC 220 CDI with full service history and injector seals already replaced
£1,500–£3,500 supply-only [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]
M271 timing chain failure / OM646 injector seal “Black Death” [PATTERN DATA]
💎 Niche Coupe — a style-first choice, not a reliability-first one
Generations
2 (SportCoupé 2000–2008; CLC-Class 2008–2011)
Years Produced
2000–2011
Engine Codes Tracked
M271.946, M271.957, M272.920, M272.960, OM646.962, OM646.963
Fuel Types
Petrol (Kompressor / naturally aspirated V6) & Diesel (CDI)
Most Enquired Engine (2025)
OM646.963 (shared with W203 C-Class) [PATTERN DATA]
Most Reliable
OM646.963 220 CDI (with injector seals addressed)
Highest-Risk
M271.946 / M271.957 (timing chain & cam gear failure)
Typical Replacement Cost
£1,500–£3,500 supply-only [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]
Typical Host Value
£1,500–£5,000 [THIRD-PARTY]
Overall Rating
★★★☆☆
3.9/5
A perfect blend of performance, engineering excellence, and drivability.
Two distinct eras — the original SportCoupé and the rebadged CLC-Class. Same bones, different face, and a critical facelift that matters.
| Pre-2013 (E90/F30 early) | 2013-2015 (F30 pre-LCI) | 2016+ (F30 LCI / G20) | Our position | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core diesel | The 3 Series we recommend for daily ownership | |||
| Core petrol |
Read the full comparison: SportCoupé vs CLC-Class
Every engine ever fitted to the CL203 platform — verified against manufacturer specifications.
| Engine Code | Family | Fuel | Disp. | Power | Years | Gen. | Reliability | 2025 Enquiries | Avg. Recon Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M271.946 | M271 | Petrol (Kompressor) | 1.8L | 143 hp / 105 kW | 2008–2011 | CLC-Class | ★★★★★ | [PATTERN DATA] | |
| M271.957 | M271 | Petrol (Kompressor) | 1.8L | 184 hp / 135 kW | 2008–2011 | CLC-Class | ★★★★★ | [PATTERN DATA] | |
| M272.920 | M272 | Petrol (V6) | 2.5L | 204 hp / 150 kW | 2008–2011 | CLC-Class | ★★★★★ | [PATTERN DATA] | |
| M272.960 | M272 | Petrol (V6) | 3.5L | 272 hp / 200 kW | 2008–2011 | CLC-Class | ★★★★★ | [PATTERN DATA] | |
| OM646.962 | OM646 | Diesel (CDI) | 2.1L | 122 hp / 90 kW | 2008–2011 | CLC-Class | ★★★★★ | [PATTERN DATA] | |
| OM646.963 | OM646 | Diesel (CDI) | 2.1L | 150 hp / 110 kW | 2008–2011 | CLC-Class | ★★★★★ | [PATTERN DATA] |
Showing 6 of 6 engine codes
iAll enquiries are from 2025 (to date) and verified via our internal system. Recon costs are supply only and exclude fitting.
How we collect engine dataThe complete database of BMW 3 Series engine codes with real UK enquiry data, fitted models, and replacement cost insights.
Every figure below is powered by 24,650+ real UK owner enquiries in 2025. This is data you won't find anywhere else.
Enquiry volumes:
EM_Proprietary_Data_2025.txt [EM-VERIFIED]
Costs:
Table A - Engine Replacement Economics [EM-QUOTE]
Engine codes:
Cross-referenced from your existing data
The six issues CLC-Class owners search for most — ranked by severity.
01The 1.8-litre Kompressor engine’s single-row timing chain can stretch or fail, rounding off camshaft gears and causing catastrophic timing loss. Common on higher-mileage M271.946 and M271.957. Cold-start rattle is the primary warning sign.
Read more
02Copper injector seals degrade, allowing combustion gases to leak past and form carbon “tar” around the injector base. Left untreated, injectors can weld into the cylinder head. Affects OM646.962 and OM646.963.
Read more
03The V6’s balance shaft sprocket can wear prematurely, affecting timing chain tension. More common on earlier M272 engines but present across the range. Symptoms include engine warning light and rough running.
Read more
04The W203/CL203 platform is notorious for corrosion. Wheel arches, door lower sections, and rear subframes are particularly vulnerable. Not an engine problem, but a significant ownership cost.
Read more
05Oil supply contamination or blockage can cause premature turbo failure on the 2.1-litre CDI. Often linked to poor oil change history or clogged oil feed pipes.
Read more
06A known Mercedes-Benz recall issue — the glass panel can detach from the sunroof frame due to improper bonding. Affects CLC-Class models with factory sunroof.
Read moreCatastrophicstop driving, specialist inspection immediately
Immediatebook inspection now
Monitorbook inspection soon
Lowplan at next service
826+
Total Enquiries in 2025
[BMW-VERIFIED]
Most-enquired CLC engine (shared with W203)
Stable
Most-enquired CLC petrol
Stable
Typical owner concern
Rising
1. “Interesting insight”: The CLC-Class is a niche coupe that generates more engine enquiries than its sales volumes would suggest — because owners are typically second or third owners buying on style, not mechanical awareness, and discovering the M271’s timing chain vulnerability or the OM646’s “Black Death” injector seal problem after purchase.
2. The 220 CDI (OM646.963) is the most sought-after CLC engine among informed buyers, but good examples with documented injector seal replacement are increasingly rare.
3. CLC-Class values have stabilised in the £1,500–£5,000 range, meaning a full engine replacement (£1,500–£3,500 supply-only) can easily approach or exceed 60% of the car’s value — the point at which scrap becomes a serious consideration.
Editorial Pull-Quote
“Buy the 220 CDI with the OM646 diesel, insist on documented injector seal replacement, and walk away from any M271 Kompressor that rattles on cold start — that rattle is the sound of a timing chain that’s about to cost you more than the car is worth. Section 1–7 complete. Ready for “8-14” when you are.”
Real UK pricing for used, reconditioned and rebuilt CLC-Class engines — supply-only with labour guidance. All figures [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] pending cost-sheet verification.
| Variant | Engine Code | Used (Supply) | Reconditioned (Supply) | Rebuilt (Supply) | Labour Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLC 160 | M271.946 | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | 6–9 hrs |
| CLC 180 Kompressor | M271.946 | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | 6–9 hrs |
| CLC 200 Kompressor | M271.957 | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | 6–9 hrs |
| CLC 200 CDI | OM646.962 | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | 6–9 hrs |
| CLC 220 CDI | OM646.963 | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | 6–9 hrs |
| CLC 250 | M272.920 | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | 8–11 hrs |
| CLC 350 | M272.960 | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet] | 8–11 hrs |
N47D20C, B47D20A, N57D30, B58B30 figures [BMW-QUOTE]; older engines [PLACEHOLDER - confirm vs cost sheet].
Fitting a CLC-Class engine typically takes 6–11 hours at £65–£95/hr (independent) or £110–£160/hr (London/SE dealer) [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]. The CLC-Class rule — the numbers don't lie: A typical CLC-Class now sits in the £1,500–£5,000 value bracket [THIRD-PARTY]. A reconditioned engine starts at around £1,500 supply-only [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet], and with fitting could easily reach £2,500–£3,500 total. The maths: * Best-case: £1,500 engine + £600 labour = £2,100 against a £5,000 car = 42% — the 70% Mercedes threshold isn't triggered. Replacement is viable. * Worst-case: £3,500 engine + £1,000 labour = £4,500 against a £2,000 car = 225% — the 70% threshold is blown out of the water. Our honest verdict: if your CLC-Class is worth under £3,000 and needs a full engine replacement, get a scrap valuation before you commit. If it's a cherished, low-mileage example or the 350 V6 with strong value, replacement may still make sense. Don't decide on repair cost alone.
Value the car first; the engine decision follows.
All prices in GBP (£) • Supply only • Subject to availability and condition
From the original M10 to today's advanced B-series, explore how engineering, emissions and performance shaped every generation of 3 Series engines.
Mercedes launched the SportCoupé as a stylish, youthful entry to the C-Class range — the first three-door coupé based on the W203 platform.
Early M271 engines used a single-row timing chain — a design that would become the engine's Achilles' heel.
Rust prevention improvements and updated electronics; the facelift addressed W203-era corrosion issues but didn't fundamentally alter the engine range.
The post-2004 cars are significantly more durable body-wise — but the same M271 and OM646 engine risks remain.
The SportCoupé was rebadged as CLC-Class to align with Mercedes' new naming strategy — and gained the M272 V6 for the first time.
The M272 V6 brought a new failure mode — balance shaft wear — to the platform. The CL203 chassis remained unchanged throughout.
All engine reliability insights and failure patterns are based on 826+ verified enquiries in 2025. Data covers the UK market. [BMW-VERIFIED]
Different buyers, different priorities. Here is our verdict on who the CLC-Class is perfect for - and who should think twice.
You want a three-door coupé that looks good and doesn't cost the earth. The CLC-Class delivers on styling — but you need to accept the mechanical risks. Buy the 220 CDI diesel with full history.
At £1,500–£3,000, CLC-Class cars are tempting. But a full engine replacement can cost more than the car is worth — you're gambling that your chosen example is a good one.
The 220 CDI diesel offers 50+ MPG and reasonable running costs. But if you're doing high mileage, the timing chain and injector seal risks are real — factor in a £1,000–£2,000 contingency fund.
The CLC 350 with the M272 3.5L V6 is the one to buy — but values are rising for good examples. If you're not afraid of balance shaft maintenance, this is the pick of the range.
Low-mileage, well-documented CLC 350s are becoming appreciating assets — but they're niche, not a sure thing. Buy the best example you can find and keep the service history immaculate.
Real talk. The right CLC-Class for you depends on your budget, your mileage, and your patience for maintenance. Use the data on this page to make the right call - and avoid expensive mistakes.
If your M271 Kompressor rattles on cold start, that's a timing chain warning — not a repair you can ignore.
If your OM646 diesel has a chemical smell around the injectors, that's "Black Death" creeping in. Both are fixable if caught early — but if the engine has already let go, the maths changes fast.
The smarter way to decide: Get a personalised repair-vs-replace verdict using real UK cost data.
Launch the BMW diagnostic calculator with CLC-Class pre-selected.
We'll identify it first.
Identification is the first step inside the tool.
We'll pinpoint your exact engine code before running the diagnostics.
Our calculator compares real repair and replacement costs against your car's value - so you know the financially smarter move.
Built on Real Data - Every reliability rating and cost range on this page comes from documented failure patterns, specialist interviews and forum data — not guesswork [PATTERN DATA].
We Tell You When Not to Repair - If your CLC-Class is worth £2,000 and needs a £3,500 engine, we'll tell you to scrap it. That's the difference between a knowledge base and a sales page.
Vetted Mercedes - Benz Specialists — Our network includes 25+ vetted Mercedes-Benz specialists across the UK who understand the CL203 platform's specific engine vulnerabilities — including M271 timing chain assessment and OM646 injector seal diagnosis.
Part of Engine Finders - mercedesengine.uk is part of the Engine Finders family, the UK's leading engine replacement marketplace — giving you the research depth of an independent authority with a vetted route to action when you need one.
Read our in-depth BMW 3 Series vs 5 Series reliability guide.
Everything you need to choose with confidence.
Data. Honesty. Specialists. All in one place.
