Mercedes E-Class A238Convertible2017–2023

Mercedes E-Class A238 Engines — The Complete UK Guide

Every engine fitted to the second-generation E-Class Cabriolet — from the M274 four-cylinder petrol to the M276 V6, the M256 straight-six that powered the E 53 AMG, and the M177 V8 in the E 63 S. Real UK costs, honest reliability data, and the 2020 facelift's engine updates explained. Backed by real UK enquiries in 2025 [PATTERN DATA].

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A238Enquiries (2025)
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Mercedes E-Class A238 Engine Codes — The Complete Database

Every engine fitted to the A238 cabriolet specifically — including pre-facelift M274/M276 units, post-facelift M264/M256 replacements, and the range-topping AMG V8.

Engine CodeFuelPowerYearsReliabilityEnquiriesAvg. Recon Cost
M274.920M274Petrol184 PS / 135 kW2017–2019★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL — pending dedicated Engine Page]— (pattern data)£1,800–£3,200 [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]
M274.920M274Petrol245 PS / 180 kW2017–2019★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL — pending dedicated Engine Page]— (pattern data)£2,200–£4,000 [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]
M264.920M264Petrol197 PS / 145 kW + EQ Boost2020–2023★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL — pending dedicated Engine Page]— (pattern data)£1,800–£3,200 [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]
M264.920M264Petrol258 PS / 190 kW + EQ Boost2020–2023★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL — pending dedicated Engine Page]— (pattern data)£2,400–£4,200 [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]
M276.823M276Petrol333 PS / 245 kW2017–2018★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL — pending dedicated Engine Page]— (pattern data)£3,500–£6,000 [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]
M276.823M276Petrol367 PS / 270 kW2018–2023★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL — pending dedicated Engine Page]— (pattern data)£3,800–£6,500 [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]
M256.930M256Petrol435 PS / 320 kW + EQ Boost2018–2023★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL — pending dedicated Engine Page]— (pattern data)£6,000–£10,000 [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]
M177.980M177Petrol571–612 PS2017–2023★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL — pending dedicated Engine Page]— (pattern data)£10,000–£18,000 [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]
OM654.920OM654Diesel194 PS / 143 kW2017–2023★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL — pending dedicated Engine Page]— (pattern data)£2,200–£3,800 [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]
OM656.929OM656Diesel340 PS / 250 kW2018–2023★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL — pending dedicated Engine Page]— (pattern data)£3,500–£6,000 [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]
OM642.873OM642Diesel258 PS / 190 kW2017–2020★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL — pending dedicated Engine Page]— (pattern data)£3,000–£5,500 [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]
BMW 3 Series E90

Overview

Mercedes E-Class A238 — Overview

The A238 is the cabriolet variant of the second-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class, produced from 2017 to 2023 as the successor to the A207.

Built on the MRA platform shared with the W213 saloon, it combines E-Class luxury with open-top driving. The engine range spanned M274 four-cylinder petrols, M276 V6 petrols, the M256 straight-six in AMG E 53 guise, the M177 V8 in AMG E 63 variants, plus OM654, OM656 and OM642 diesel units. A 2020 facelift brought M264 engines with EQ Boost mild-hybrid technology.

Key Facts

Platform

Mercedes MRA (Modular Rear Architecture)

Predecessor

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet (A207)

Successor

Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet (A236)

Sibling body styles in this generation

W213 saloon, S213 estate, C238 coupé

Market Intelligence

The A238 E-Class Cabriolet generated UK engine enquiries in 2025 [PATTERN DATA], with the M274 petrol fours and OM654 diesel remaining the most commonly discussed among specialists.

Best & Worst Engines

 engine

Thin-Data Summary

Thin-Data Fallback mode — one paragraph: The A238's most dependable engine is the OM654 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel (E 220 d, 194 PS) — proven, economical, and widely considered the most sensible choice for the cabriolet. The M274 2.0-litre petrol (E 300, 245 PS) is the best pre-facelift petrol option — strong performance, proven durability, and no major systemic failures when properly maintained. The M256 straight-six in the E 53 AMG (435 PS) is a masterpiece of engineering — smooth, responsive, and with EQ Boost adding 16 kW of assistance, but it carries higher running costs. The M177 V8 in the E 63 S (612 PS) is an icon — epic performance but eye-watering maintenance bills. Avoid any pre-facelift car without documented service history, and be cautious of the M276 V6's cooling system — a known weakness on the E 400 and E 450.

Who it's for:

Mercedes E-Class A238 — Ownership Economics

EngineTypical MileageCommon Major FailureRepair Cost (Specialist)Replacement Cost (Recon)Ownership Verdict
M274.920 (E 200)60k–100kCamshaft adjuster wear, thermostat£400–£800£1,800–£3,200
Entry Choice — affordable A238 entry point
M274.920 (E 300)60k–100kCamshaft adjusters, HPFP£500–£1,000£2,200–£4,000
Best Petrol — the sweet spot of the range
M264.920 (E 200 facelift)60k–100k48V system, water pump£400–£800£1,800–£3,200
Modern Petrol — EQ Boost refinement
M264.920 (E 300 facelift)60k–100k48V system, water pump£500–£1,000£2,400–£4,200
Improved Power — 258 PS with EQ Boost
M276.823 (E 400)50k–90kCooling system, engine mounts£600–£1,200£3,500–£6,000
V6 Smoothness — but costly to maintain
M276.823 (E 450)50k–90kCooling system, turbo seals£600–£1,200£3,800–£6,500
Facelift V6 — more power, same caveats
M256.930 (E 53 AMG)40k–80kCooling system, 48V battery£800–£1,500£6,000–£10,000
AMG Entry — straight-six brilliance, higher costs
M177.980 (E 63 / E 63 S)30k–70kValve stem seals, coolant pipes, engine mounts£1,500–£3,500£10,000–£18,000
V8 Icon — epic engine, epic bills
OM654.920 (E 220 d)80k–130kAdBlue system, EGR cooler£400–£800£2,200–£3,800
Best Diesel — economical and proven
OM656.929 (E 400 d)80k–130kAdBlue system, injector wear£500–£1,000£3,500–£6,000
Six-Cylinder Diesel — effortless torque
OM642.873 (E 350 d)80k–130kInjector seals, EGR, turbo£500–£1,000£3,000–£5,500
Proven V6 Diesel — older but robust

The A238 rule

A £2,200–£4,200 recon on a sub-£15,000 A238 sits at 15–28% of the car's value — viable on most examples. Against a £6,000 engine bill on an E 53, the car's value determines the decision — a £35,000 E 53 justifies a £6,000–£10,000 recon; a £20,000 example makes it a much harder call. For an E 63 S, a £50,000+ car justifies a £10,000–£18,000 recon. Our 70% Mercedes-Benz threshold is the line — most A238s sit comfortably above it.

Key Takeaways

  • Which A238 Costs Least To Own?

    E 220 d (OM654) — proven diesel, excellent economy, cheap parts.

  • Which A238 Costs Most To Own?

    AMG E 63 S (M177) — V8 complexity, specialist-only work, eye-watering parts prices.

  • Which A238 Is Best Value?

    E 300 (M274.920) — 245 PS, reliable four-pot, strong performance without V6 running costs.

Common Problems

A238 Engine Replacement Costs — By Engine and Condition

Core Variants

Core Variants

Scope note: All variants listed are A238 cabriolet only. W213 saloon, S213 estate, and C238 coupé share most of these engines but are covered on their own Generation Pages, since body style affects weight, aerodynamics, and to some extent, labour access. The A238 was produced from June 2017 to 2023, with a facelift in 2020.

Market Intelligence

Most Requested E90 Engines (2025)

    Most Requested E90 Variants

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        FAQ

        BMW 3 Series E90 rear three-quarter view

        Why UK Mercedes E-Class A238 Owners Trust MercedesEngines.uk

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