Question about OM 646 Evo engine on W211

[Apokalipsisa]

Hello and sorry for my bad English. I want to buy facelifted W211 with 220 cdi OM 646 Evo engine - 170 hp. I watched this clip -

and they say that this engine has problems with crankshaft bearings and they should be changed at about 300 000 km. Is that true ? I saw taxi cars with this engine and they were at 8-900 000 km with no major repairs like this. This problem occurs in before facelift 122/150 hp engine or in the facelifted 136/170 hp EVO engine ? I asked a local mercedes service and they said that this 200-220 cdi engines are not very reliable and they can blow up at around 300-400 000 km, becouse of that bearings. So now i dont know what to do. I dont want to buy 30 years old W124 or W210 so i can get it with reliable engine, becouse we are 2020 now..

 

[grahamcol]

My understanding is that the OM646 engine is one of Mercs most reliable ones and l personally have never heard of any issues with the bottom end.

 

[Apokalipsisa]

So, anyone here with high millage OM 646? By high milage i mean more than 500 000 km. and no bearings problem? I'm planning to buy W211 with around 200-250 000 km. and to make them at least 4-500 000 km. before i sell it. But i don't want to drive the highway and engine start knocking at 300 000 km. then blow up.

P.S. - so is there anything true in the russian video above?

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

I ran a C220cdi with a 646 to 350k miles about 6 years ago. The engine was as sweet when I sold it as it was when it was built. If the engine has been serviced regularly then I don't see why it would need any bottom end work. I have never seen one of these engines expire without some external influence causing it.

 

[matthew k]

This is good to hear, I want to get a facelift w211 E220d manual in a few years. Just out of interest, are those boxes ok?

 

[grahamcol]

This is good to hear, I want to get a facelift w211 E220d manual in a few years. Just out of interest, are those boxes ok?

Are you sure you want a manual? It's more or less accepted that the autobox is the default option with a Merc and most owners prefer auto. That said, l understand the later manual boxes are OK but nothing special, but l have never driven one. They are supposed to be durable though.

 

[Silver_Star]

I have face lift S211 with OM646, on about 207k miles no issues, just regular oil and filter changes.