Mercedes S-Class C217 Engines — The Complete UK Guide
Every engine fitted to the C217 coupé — from the M276 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 to the M278 4.7-litre and M176/M177 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8s, and the fire-breathing M157 5.5-litre V8 and M279 6.0-litre V12 in the AMG S 63 and S 65. Real UK replacement costs, honest failure data, and the oil-leak and timing-chain issues that define this generation's ownership story. Backed by real UK C217 enquiries in 2025 [MB-VERIFIED].
Explore C217 Engines
Mercedes S-Class C217 Engine Codes — The Complete Database
Every engine fitted to the C217 coupé specifically — from the entry-level V6 to the range-topping V12, spanning five distinct engine families across pre-facelift and facelift models.
Overview
Mercedes S-Class C217 — Overview
The C217 is the coupé body style of the sixth-generation S-Class, launched in November 2014 as the successor to the CL-Class (C216).
Based on the W222 S-Class platform, it features a 2,945 mm wheelbase, pillarless side windows, and a choice of rear-wheel drive or 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The engine range spans the M276 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, the M278 4.7-litre twin-turbo V8, the M176 and M177 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8s (post-facelift), the M157 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 (pre-facelift S 63), and the M279 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 (S 65). A 2017 facelift brought revised styling, new engines, and updated technology. The C217 was the last V12-powered Mercedes coupé ever produced.
Key Facts
Platform
Mercedes W222 (shared with S-Class saloon)
Predecessor
CL-Class (C216)
Successor
Mercedes-AMG SL-Class (R232)
Sibling body style in this generation
A217 Convertible
Market Intelligence
The C217 S-Class Coupé generated real UK engine enquiries in 2025 [MB-VERIFIED], concentrated on the M278 V8 and M177 AMG V8 as these cars enter enthusiast-owner territory.
Best & Worst Engines
Best Petrol Overall
M176.980 (S 560 4MATIC, 2017–2020)
“The 4.0-litre hot-vee V8 M176 is a masterpiece of modern engineering — 469 hp, 700 Nm of torque, and the smoothest V8 Mercedes has made in decades. The 'hot-vee' design places the turbos inside the V of the engine, virtually eliminating lag. It's more reliable than the M278 it replaced, with fewer timing-chain and oil-leak issues. The S 560 is the sweet spot in the C217 range — V8 performance without AMG running costs.”
Who it's for: buyers who want V8 refinement and effortless performance without the AMG tax.
Best Value
M276.824 (S 400/S 450 4MATIC, 2014–2020)
“The 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 M276 delivers 367 hp with 500 Nm of torque — more than enough for UK roads. It's the cheapest C217 to buy, the cheapest to insure, and the cheapest to replace. The M276 is a well-regarded engine with fewer major failure modes than the V8s. The sweet spot in the C217 range for most UK buyers.”
Who it's for: buyers who want the S-Class coupé experience without the V8 running costs.
Highest Risk
M278.929 (S 500, 2014–2017)
“The 4.7-litre M278 V8 is a great engine — but it comes with known issues: timing chain wear, camshaft adjuster failure, and oil leaks from the rear main seal. The cylinder shut-off system can also cause issues. If you're buying a pre-facelift S 500, budget for timing-chain inspection and rear-main-seal replacement. The M176 in the facelift S 560 is a much safer bet.”
Who it's for: buyers willing to accept higher maintenance costs for the pre-facelift V8 experience.
Most Expensive Failure
M279.980 (S 65 AMG, 6.0-litre V12)
“The 6.0-litre M279 V12 is the last of its kind — 630 hp, 1,000 Nm of torque, and a sound that no V8 can match. But when it fails, it fails expensively. V12-specific parts are rare and costly, labour is intensive, and the sheer complexity of the twin-turbo 12-cylinder means replacement bills frequently hit five figures. The C217 was the last V12-powered Mercedes coupé ever produced — if you buy one, treat it as a collector's item with a maintenance budget to match.”
Who it's for: collectors and enthusiasts with deep pockets who want the last V12 Mercedes coupé.
Most Overlooked
M176.980 (S 560 4MATIC)
“The S 560 is often overlooked in favour of the S 63 AMG, but it offers 469 hp of effortless V8 power with significantly lower running costs. The M176 hot-vee V8 is one of the most refined engines Mercedes has ever built — and with 700 Nm of torque, it's quicker than most drivers will ever need. It's the C217's sleeper pick.”
Who it's for: buyers who want V8 refinement without the AMG badge tax.
Mercedes S-Class C217 — Ownership Economics
The C217 rule
A £4,000–£6,500 M276 recon against a £20,000 C217 sits at 20–33% of the car's value — comfortably safe. Even the M278 at £5,000–£8,500 against a £22,000 S 500 is 23–39% — well within our 70% Mercedes threshold. The C217 is a premium grand tourer with strong retained values; engine replacement is financially viable across the range. The only exceptions are the AMG models — but if you can afford a £30,000+ S 63 or a £50,000+ S 65, you can afford the maintenance. For the M279 V12, the maths is different — it's a collector's item with collector's bills.
Common Problems
C217 Engine Replacement Costs — By Engine and Condition
No Generation variance from the Model Page's baseline figures — C217 coupé shares its W222-derived engine bay with the A217 convertible and W222 saloon, so costs are inherited directly per the Authority Model, with no divergence note required. AMG and V12 costs reflect specialist parts and labour requirements.
Core Variants
Core Variants
Petrol Variants
Scope note: All variants listed are C217 coupé only. A217 Convertible shares most of these engines but is covered on its own Generation Page, as fitment and labour access vary slightly by body style. The C217 was the last V12-powered Mercedes coupé ever produced.
Market Intelligence
Most Requested E90 Engines (2025)
- 1.1. M278.929 (S 500) — V8 pre-facelift favourite [PATTERN DATA]
- 2.2. M176.980 (S 560) — V8 facelift choice [PATTERN DATA]
- 3.3. M177.980 (S 63 AMG) — AMG V8 performance [PATTERN DATA]
Most Requested E90 Variants
- 1.1. S 500
- 2.2. S 560
- 3.3. S 63 AMG [PATTERN DATA]
Average E90 Replacement Cost
£4,000–£9,000 reconditioned, supply only [MB-QUOTE]
Most Common E90 Failures
- 1.1. M278 timing chain/camshaft adjusters
- 2.2. M157/M177 AMG oil leaks
- 3.3. ABC suspension failure [PATTERN DATA]
Mercedes S 500 C217 (M278)
4
enquiries
Mercedes S 560 C217 (M176)
3
enquiries
Mercedes S 63 AMG C217 (M177)
2
enquiries
FAQ
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