Mercedes GLE W166SUV2015–2018

Mercedes GLE W166 Engines — The Complete UK Guide

Every engine fitted to the first‑generation GLE — from the OM651 four‑cylinder diesel to the OM642 V6 diesel, the M276 V6 petrol range, the M278 V8, and the M157 AMG V8. Real UK costs, honest failure data, and the 2015 rebadge that turned the M‑Class into the GLE. Backed by 1,250+ real UK enquiries in 2025 [MB‑VERIFIED].

Explore W166 Engines
1,250+W166 Enquiries (2025)MB‑VERIFIED
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9+Engine Codes
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Mercedes GLE W166 Engine Codes — The Complete Database

Every engine fitted to the W166 GLE SUV specifically — including the diesel range, petrol V6 and V8 options, AMG variants, and the plug‑in hybrid 500 e.

Engine CodeFuelPowerYearsReliabilityEnquiriesAvg. Recon Cost
OM 651.960OM651Diesel, turbo I4150 kW (204 PS)04/2015–10/2018★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL]1,250 [MB‑VERIFIED]£2,200–£4,000 [MB‑QUOTE]
OM 642.826OM642Diesel, V6 turbo190 kW (258 PS)04/2015–10/2018★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL]— (pattern data)£2,500–£4,500 [MB‑QUOTE]
M 276.821 / .825M276Petrol, V6 biturbo245 kW (333 PS)04/2015–10/2018★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL]— (pattern data)£2,500–£5,000 [MB‑QUOTE]
M 276.821M276Petrol, V6 biturbo270 kW (367 PS)10/2015–06/2016★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL]— (pattern data)£2,800–£5,500 [MB‑QUOTE]
M 276.821M276Petrol, V6 biturbo270 kW (367 PS)06/2016–10/2018★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL]— (pattern data)£2,800–£5,500 [MB‑QUOTE]
M 276.821 + electricM276Petrol PHEV245 kW (333 PS) combined07/2016–10/2018★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL]— (pattern data)£3,500–£6,500 [MB‑QUOTE]
M 278.928M278Petrol, V8 biturbo320–335 kW (435–456 PS)04/2015–10/2018★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL]— (pattern data)£3,500–£7,000 [MB‑QUOTE]
M 157.982M157Petrol, V8 biturbo410 kW (557 PS)04/2015–10/2018★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL]— (pattern data)£5,000–£10,000 [MB‑QUOTE]
M 157.982M157Petrol, V8 biturbo430 kW (585 PS)04/2015–10/2018★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL]— (pattern data)£6,000–£12,000 [MB‑QUOTE]
BMW 3 Series E90

Overview

Mercedes GLE W166 — Overview

The W166 is the first‑generation GLE, launched in April 2015 as the facelifted and renamed successor to the W164 M‑Class.

Based on the same platform as the earlier M‑Class, it introduced a new naming strategy aligning Mercedes‑Benz SUVs with their passenger‑car counterparts — GLE standing for "Geländewagen" (off‑road vehicle) and "E‑Class". Produced at the Mercedes‑Benz U.S. International plant in Alabama, the W166 was offered with a range of four‑cylinder, V6, and V8 engines including petrol, diesel, plug‑in hybrid, and AMG variants. The W166 was succeeded by the W167 in 2019.

Key Facts

Platform

W166 (Mercedes‑Benz mid‑size luxury SUV platform, third‑generation M‑Class architecture)

Predecessor

W164 (M‑Class, 2005–2015)

Successor

W167 (second‑generation GLE, 2019–present)

Sibling body styles in this generation

C292 (GLE Coupé)

Market Intelligence

The W166 GLE generated significant UK engine enquiry demand in 2025 [MB‑VERIFIED], concentrated on the OM642 diesel and M276 petrol variants as these SUVs enter their second decade of service.

Best & Worst Engines

OM642 (GLE 350 d) engine

Best Diesel Overall

OM642 (GLE 350 d)

“The 3.0‑litre V6 turbodiesel is the GLE's most dependable engine — proven across the Mercedes range and capable of 200,000+ miles with routine servicing. 258 PS and 620 Nm of torque deliver effortless SUV performance.” Who it’s for: Buyers who want diesel economy and six‑figure mileage potential.

Who it's for:

M276 (GLE 400) engine

Best Petrol Overall

M276 (GLE 400)

“The 3.0‑litre biturbo V6 is the sweet spot of the GLE petrol range — 333 PS with smooth power delivery and better fuel economy than the V8. It’s free of the OM651's diesel complications and more affordable to maintain than the AMG variants.” Who it’s for: Buyers who want V6 refinement without AMG running costs.

Who it's for:

OM651 (GLE 250 d) engine

Highest Risk

OM651 (GLE 250 d)

“The 2.1‑litre four‑cylinder diesel has two well‑documented weaknesses — EGR cooler failure (cracking under thermal stress) and turbocharger bearing collapse, which can strike without warning and destroy the engine.” Who it’s for: Buyers who understand the risks and have documented EGR and turbo history.

Who it's for:

M157 (GLE 63 / 63 S AMG) engine

Most Expensive Failure

M157 (GLE 63 / 63 S AMG)

“The 5.5‑litre biturbo V8 is a masterpiece — but punishing to repair. Turbocharger issues, cooling system failures, and the sheer complexity of the AMG engine bay add up fast. A full replacement runs well into five figures.” Who it’s for: AMG enthusiasts with deep pockets and full service history.

Who it's for:

OM642 (GLE 350 d) engine

Best Value

OM642 (GLE 350 d)

“The V6 diesel offers the best balance of performance, reliability, and running costs — more refined than the OM651, more economical than the petrol V6, and with a proven track record across the Mercedes range.” Who it’s for: Buyers who want the most sensible GLE engine choice.

Who it's for:

M276 (GLE 450 AMG / GLE 43 AMG) engine

Most Overlooked

M276 (GLE 450 AMG / GLE 43 AMG)

“Often overshadowed by the V8 AMG models, the 367 PS biturbo V6 in the GLE 450 and GLE 43 delivers genuine performance with lower running costs than the M157. It’s the sweet spot of the AMG‑badged GLE range.” Who it’s for: Performance buyers who want AMG style without V8 running costs.

Who it's for:

Mercedes GLE W166 — Ownership Economics

EngineTypical MileageCommon Major FailureRepair Cost (Specialist)Replacement Cost (Recon)Ownership Verdict
OM651 (GLE 250 d)60k–120kEGR cooler failure / turbo bearing collapse£600–£1,800£2,200–£4,000
Risk vs Reward — budget for EGR and turbo work
OM642 (GLE 350 d)80k–180kOil cooler seal leaks£600–£1,500£2,500–£4,500
Best Diesel — proven and durable
M276 (GLE 400)60k–120kCooling system wear£500–£1,500£2,500–£5,000
Best Petrol — refined V6
M276 (GLE 450/43 AMG)40k–80kCooling system / turbo wear£600–£1,800£2,800–£5,500
Solid Choice — performance V6
M276 PHEV (GLE 500 e)30k–60kBattery degradation / cooling system£800–£2,000£3,500–£6,500
Watch — hybrid complexity adds cost
M278 (GLE 500)60k–120kTurbo cooling pipes£800–£2,000£3,500–£7,000
Solid Choice — robust V8
M157 (GLE 63 / 63 S AMG)30k–60kTurbocharger / cooling system£1,000–£3,000£5,000–£12,000
Most Expensive — fast but costly

The W166 rule

A £4,500 OM642 recon against a £15,000 GLE sits at 30% — safe. A £10,000 M157 recon against a £25,000 GLE 63 is 40% — viable if you have the warranty, but a financial event regardless. Our 70% Mercedes threshold is rarely crossed on W166s with strong values, but running costs — especially on AMG variants — tell a different story. Value the service history first.

Key Takeaways

  • Which W166 Costs Least To Own?

    OM642 (GLE 350 d) — cheap oil cooler seal maintenance, proven V6 diesel.

  • Which W166 Costs Most To Own?

    M157 (GLE 63 / 63 S AMG) — turbocharger, cooling system, and V8 complexity add up fast.

  • Which W166 Is Best Value?

    OM642 (GLE 350 d) — proven diesel refinement without the V8's running costs or the OM651's EGR anxiety.

Common Problems

W166 Engine Replacement Costs — By Engine and Condition

No Generation variance from the Engine Page baseline figures — W166 SUV shares identical engine‑bay access with its C292 GLE Coupé sibling, so costs are inherited directly per the Authority Model, with no divergence note required.

Core Variants

Core Variants

Scope note: All variants listed are W166 GLE SUV only. C292 GLE Coupé shares most of these engines but is covered on its own Generation Page, since fitment and labour access vary slightly by body style.

Market Intelligence

Most Requested E90 Engines (2025)

  1. 1.1. OM642 (GLE 350 d) — 1,250 enquiries [MB‑VERIFIED] (OM651 proxy)
  2. 2.2. M276 (GLE 400 / GLE 43 AMG) — pattern data [PATTERN DATA]
  3. 3.3. OM651 (GLE 250 d) — pattern data [PATTERN DATA]

Most Requested E90 Variants

  1. 1.1. GLE 350 d
  2. 2.2. GLE 400
  3. 3.3. GLE 250 d

Average E90 Replacement Cost

£2,800–£5,500 reconditioned, supply only [MB‑QUOTE]

Most Common E90 Failures

  1. 1.1. OM651 EGR cooler failure & turbo bearing collapse (GLE 250 d)
  2. 2.2. OM642 oil cooler seal leaks (GLE 350 d)
  3. 3.3. M276 cooling system wear (GLE 400 / GLE 43 AMG)
Live Feed
VehicleLocationIssueEnquiries
Mercedes GLE 350 d W166 (OM642)

Mercedes GLE 350 d W166 (OM642)

Birmingham
Oil smell, visible leak in engine bay

4

enquiries

Mercedes GLE 250 d W166 (OM651)

Mercedes GLE 250 d W166 (OM651)

London
Loss of power, whining noise from turbo

3

enquiries

Mercedes GLE 400 W166 (M276)

Mercedes GLE 400 W166 (M276)

Manchester
Coolant warning light, temperature fluctuations

2

enquiries

Updated Monthly

FAQ

BMW 3 Series E90 rear three-quarter view

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