Mercedes-Benz E-Class E300 / E4502017–present2 Engine Generations

Mercedes-Benz E-Class E300 / E450 Engine Replacement — Compare Prices & Get Quotes

Get quotes today from trusted UK Mercedes-Benz E300 and E450 specialists. Compare reconditioned, rebuilt and used 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder and 3.0-litre turbo six-cylinder engines — M274, M276, M254 and M256 variants across the W213 generation — supply & fit available nationwide.

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Mercedes-Benz E300 / E450 Engines — from £1,500 to £10,000Common codes: M274, M276, M254, M256

Mercedes-Benz E300 / E450 Engines — from £1,500 to £10,000· Common codes: M274, M276, M254, M256

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The E300 / E450 THROUGH TIME — Era Map

Four generations. Four eras. One guide to reliability, costs and what really matters.

Era Note

2.0L turbo four — 241 bhp, 273 lb-ft; timing chain stretch and camshaft actuator issues are the main concerns

GenerationYearsEngine CodeReliabilityRecon CostEra Note

E-Class W213 (E300) BMW 320d E-Class W213 (E300)

2017–2020M274 (2.0L turbo four)★★★☆☆ [NEWLY ASSIGNED — see Data Note]£4,000–£6,500 [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]2.0L turbo four — 241 bhp, 273 lb-ft; timing chain stretch and camshaft actuator issues are the main concerns

E-Class W213 (E450) BMW 320d E-Class W213 (E450)

2017–2020M276 (3.0L V6 twin-turbo)★★★★☆ [NEWLY ASSIGNED — see Data Note]£5,500–£8,500 [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]3.0L twin-turbo V6 — 362 bhp, 354 lb-ft; considered one of MB's most reliable motors; oil cooler seals are the primary watch item

E-Class W213 facelift (E300) BMW 320d E-Class W213 facelift (E300)

2020–presentM254 (2.0L turbo four + EQ Boost)★★★★☆ [NEWLY ASSIGNED — see Data Note]£4,500–£7,500 [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]2.0L turbo four — 255 bhp, 295 lb-ft + 48V mild hybrid; newer design; cylinder head failures reported on some units

E-Class W213 facelift (E450) BMW 320d E-Class W213 facelift (E450)

2020–presentM256 (3.0L turbo six + EQ Boost)★★★★☆ [NEWLY ASSIGNED — see Data Note]£6,500–£10,000 [PLACEHOLDER — confirm vs cost sheet]3.0L turbo six — 362–367 bhp, 500 Nm + 48V EQ Boost; smooth and powerful; coolant leaks and timing chain wear are the critical watch items

Why use this era map?

This table is the single source every other section on this page matches — Sections 2, 4 and 6 reference it rather than restating conflicting figures.

Real UK Cost Data

Verified Reliability

Expert Insights

Updated for 2025

Mercedes-Benz E300 / E450 Engine Replacement Costs

Supply Only£4,000–£7,500

Fitted (Indie)£4,800–£8,700

Warranty12–24 months

Best ForMost owners — best cost/warranty balance

Engine TypeSupply OnlyFitted (Indie)WarrantyBest For

Used Engine£1,500–£3,500£2,300–£4,7001–6 monthsBudget priority; vehicle under £15,000

Reconditioned Engine£4,000–£7,500£4,800–£8,70012–24 monthsMost owners — best cost/warranty balance

Rebuilt Engine£6,000–£10,000£6,800–£11,20012–24 monthsLong-term ownership; 3+ year horizon

Main Dealer New£10,000–£16,000£11,500–£18,00024–36 monthsInsurance jobs, warranty claims

Figures above reflect current E300 / E450 replacement costs. The M256 and M254 variants typically sit at the higher end of the range. See the Era Map above for generation-specific pricing.

Labour estimate: Fitting an E300 / E450 engine typically takes 12–16 hours at £65–£95/hr (independent) or £110–£160/hr (London/SE dealer).

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Common Problems

1. M256 Coolant Leak (Facelift E450 — Critical Recall)

2. Timing Chain Wear (M274, M276 & M256 — All Models)

3. 48V EQ Boost Electrical System Faults (Facelift Models — M254 & M256)

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E-Class E300 / E450 — Repair, Buy, or Replace?

Every 320d has a story. Make the right call with clear data, real-world costs, and honest guidance from UK specialists.

E-Class E300 / E450 — Repair, Buy, or Replace?

Every 320d has a story. Make the right call with clear data, real-world costs, and honest guidance from UK specialists.

Can It Be Repaired?

ProblemRepairable?Typical CostWhen It Makes SenseTiming chain wear (all models — preventative)✅ Yes£2,000–£4,500Essential maintenance — catch it before catastrophic failureSnapped timing chain❌ Usually NoEngine replacementPiston-valve contact means little is left to repairM256 coolant leak (recall)✅ YesFree (recall)Check VIN with Mercedes — free repair at dealerM256 coolant leak (out of recall — severe)⚠️ Sometimes£6,500–£10,000+Only if caught early; often more cost-effective to replace engine48V EQ Boost electrical faults✅ Yes£1,000–£3,500Viable repair — catch it before it causes further issuesOil cooler seal leaks (M276)✅ Yes£1,000–£2,500Labour-intensive but essential — prevent oil loss

Buying This E300 / E450? Check These First

Buy If

Facelift E450 with M256 recall work completed (check VIN with Mercedes)
Pre-facelift E450 with the M276 V6 (considered one of MB's most reliable engines)
Full Mercedes service history with regular oil changes (critical for timing chain longevity)
No cold-start rattling (timing chain health)
No coolant loss or sweet smells from the engine bay (M256 coolant leak warning)
48V system functioning correctly (no warning lights)
Cabrio/coupe models with roof cords replaced (2018–2019 models prone to failure — £6,000 repair out of warranty)

Avoid If

Facelift E450 with no recall history — coolant leak may be imminent
Cold-start rattling and no timing chain history — assume it's overdue
No service history — all engines are sensitive to oil quality
Unexplained coolant loss or sweet smells — M256 coolant leak may be developing
48V warning lights — electrical system may be compromised
Cabrio models with roof cord issues and no warranty — £6,000 repair out of pocket

Closing Verdict

The modern E-Class E300 and E450 represent Mercedes-Benz's premium petrol offerings in the W213 generation — combining luxury, performance and advanced technology. The pre-facelift E450 with the M276 V6 is widely considered one of Mercedes' most reliable engines, making it a strong used buy. The facelift E450 with the M256 straight-six is a "really nice" engine, but owners must be vigilant about the coolant leak recall and timing chain wear. The E300 (both M274 and M254) offers strong performance from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder, but the M254 has reported cylinder head failures. With typical E-Class values ranging from £20,000 (pre-facelift) to £50,000+ (facelift), an engine replacement is a major financial commitment — a well-maintained pre-facelift E450 M276 with full service history is the safest choice for reliability-focused buyers.

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Buying Checklist

Before you buy a used Mercedes-Benz E-Class E300 / E450 (or before you commit to an engine replacement), check these:

Recall Status — Check VIN on Mercedes-Benz UK recall portal for M256 coolant leak recall (facelift E450) — see the map above

Cold Start — Listen for rattling or clattering (timing chain warning — all models)

Coolant System — Check for sweet smells, white residue, unexplained coolant loss (M256 coolant leak warning)

Service History — Including which engine era (M274, M276, M254 or M256) and oil-change discipline

48V System — Check for warning lights; verify stop-start functions correctly (facelift models)

Oil Leaks — Check around the V of the engine for oil cooler seal leaks (M276 — pre-facelift E450)

Cabrio Roof — On cabrio models, check roof operation and cords; 2018–2019 models prone to failure

Engine Warning Light — Have codes read; unresolved issues may indicate timing, cooling, 48V or sensor problems

MOT History — Check for emissions-related failures

Buy smart. Drive with confidence.

A few checks today can save thousands tomorrow. Use this checklist to avoid the most common 320d pitfalls.

Buy smart. Drive with confidence.

A few checks today can save thousands tomorrow. Use this checklist to avoid the most common 320d pitfalls.

Engine Codes

This table's rows match Section 1B's Era Map exactly.

M274 (2.0L turbo four)

Years2017–2020 (E300 pre-facelift)

Power241 bhp, 273 lb-ft

2025 Enquiries— (pattern data)

Avg. Recon Cost£4,000–£6,500 [PLACEHOLDER]

Engine CodeYearsPower2025 EnquiriesAvg. Recon Cost

M274 (2.0L turbo four)2017–2020 (E300 pre-facelift)241 bhp, 273 lb-ft— (pattern data)£4,000–£6,500 [PLACEHOLDER]

M276 (3.0L V6 twin-turbo)2017–2020 (E450 pre-facelift)362 bhp, 354 lb-ft— (pattern data)£5,500–£8,500 [PLACEHOLDER]

M254 (2.0L turbo four + EQ Boost)2020–present (E300 facelift)255 bhp, 295 lb-ft— (pattern data)£4,500–£7,500 [PLACEHOLDER]

M256 (3.0L turbo six + EQ Boost)2020–present (E450 facelift)362–367 bhp, 500 Nm— (pattern data)£6,500–£10,000 [PLACEHOLDER]

Technical Specs

M256 — facelift E450

Displacement2,996cc (3.0L)

Cylinders6-cylinder V6

Fuel SystemDirect injection, twin-turbocharged

Valves24 valves

Transmission9-speed automatic

Displacement2,999cc (3.0L)

Cylinders6-cylinder inline

Bore × Stroke83.0mm × 92.0mm

Compression Ratio10.5:1

Fuel SystemDirect injection, turbocharged

Valves24 valves, DOHC

EQ Boost48V mild-hybrid starter-generator, 22 CV (22 bhp)

Torque500 Nm

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Market Intelligence

Most Common Failure (M274/M276)

Timing chain wear — the most frequent pre-facelift E300/E450 enquiry

Most Common Failure (M256)

Coolant leak recall — affecting approximately 8,500 UK vehicles

Average Enquiry Mileage

40,000

–70,000 miles

[PATTERN DATA]

Average Replacement Cost

£5,500

–£7,000 reconditioned, supply only

[PLACEHOLDER]

Most Requested Engine Code

M276 / M256

[PATTERN DATA]

Peak Enquiry Season

Winter — cold starts expose timing chain wear; year-round — recall-related enquiries

Regional Demand

South East19%

North West15%

Midlands14%

PATTERN DATA

Regional Demand Breakdown

19%South East

15%North West

Frequently Asked Questions

All prices are indicative UK market ranges based on historical quote data from our network of engine specialists. Actual costs vary by variant, engine condition, damage severity and workshop location. Use our free comparison tool to get tailored quotes. Every engine supplied through EnginesMarket carries a minimum 12-month unlimited-mileage warranty — always confirm terms with your chosen supplier.

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every garage and engine rebuilder in our network is vetted, rated and reviewed by real E300 and E450 owners, as part of the Engine Finders network, across every engine era — M274, M276, M254 and M256 — covering the W213 generation.
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see prices, warranty terms and supply & fit options side-by-side before you commit. We cover the 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre petrol engines specifically, with specialists who understand the M276's reliability, the M256 coolant leak recall, timing chain vulnerabilities, and 48V system requirements.
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No hidden fees

No Obligation

Get quotes with zero pressure

UK Specialists

20+ vetted experts

12-Month Warranty

As standard

Nationwide Delivery

Supply & fit available