V6 Engine

[Bay Leaf]

Hi I am thinking of buying used SL with the V6 engine I am new to Mercedes cars and would like to know of any faults etc with the V6 in all its formats.
Thanks in advance.

BL

 

[Craiglxviii]

Presumably you mean the SL350? Balance shaft problems are known on this engine.

can your budget stretch to an SL500?

 

[LostKiwi]

Presumably you mean the SL350? Balance shaft problems are known on this engine.

can your budget stretch to an SL500?

The 350 SL has no issues with balance shafts Craig. It's not an M272 - it's an M112.
Cam cover and oil breather air leaks are common on these engines. Crankshaft pulley can delaminate. Crank position sensor can fail Aside from those minor niggles nothing at all. The M112 is one of the most reliable MB engines.

 

[Craiglxviii]

The 350 SL has no issues with balance shafts Craig. It's not an M272 - it's an M112.
Can cover and oil breather air leaks are common on these engines. Crankshaft pulley can delaminate. Crank position sensor can fail Aside from those minor niggles nothing at all. The M112 is one of the most reliable MB engines.

Ah. That’s the V6 version of the M113? Right- as you say, pretty bulletproof.

 

[LostKiwi]

Ah. That’s the V6 version of the M113? Right- as you say, pretty bulletproof.

It is the V6 version of the M113. Same engine as our E240 (though a bit bigger capacity!). We now have 160k miles on it with nothing more than a crank sensor.

 

[matthew k]

It is the V6 version of the M113. Same engine as our E240 (though a bit bigger capacity!). We now have 160k miles on it with nothing more than a crank sensor.

Is it V thirsty, what do you average mpg wise?

 

[LostKiwi]

On a run we get 30-32mpg but have had 38 once (but it was seriously dull getting that).
Round town low 20s. It's about 20% better economy than the SL500....

 

[Craiglxviii]

Is it V thirsty, what do you average mpg wise?

I wouldn’t worry too much about mpg...!

 

[John Laidlaw]

On a run we get 30-32mpg but have had 38 once (but it was seriously dull getting that).
Round town low 20s. It's about 20% better economy than the SL500....

The SL will surely return a little better MPG, being so light and all (ignoring the half ton of vario roof )

 

[LostKiwi]

The SL will surely return a little better MPG, being so light and all (ignoring the half ton of vario roof )

The 230 weighs more than the 129 (which also has more power)....

 

[Craiglxviii]

The 230 weighs more than the 129 (which also has more power)....

That’s why it’s so well planted on the road

 

[LostKiwi]

That’s why it’s so well planted on the road

And why the 129 feels so much punchier (difference is over 100kg).

 

[Bay Leaf]

Thanks for that guys. To answer Craigliii question, I did mean a 350 as that has got enough power for me and I also do all my own repairs and servicing and it looks quite an easy engine to work on. My next step is to check out the transmission section for information I've worked on a couple of Mercs in the past but never owned one so this is to be a big learning curve.

BL

 

[Craiglxviii]

Thanks for that guys. To answer Craigliii question, I did mean a 350 as that has got enough power for me and I also do all my own repairs and servicing and it looks quite an easy engine to work on. My next step is to check out the transmission section for information I've worked on a couple of Mercs in the past but never owned one so this is to be a big learning curve.

BL

Go for a 500 if you can find one in budget, the difference is night and day

 

[Blobcat]

Go for a 500 if you can find one in budget, the difference is night and day

Yes, with a 500 you don’t sleep at night thinking when the next “boing” is going to pop up on the display advising you of a £££ bill...

 

[LostKiwi]

Go for a 500 if you can find one in budget, the difference is night and day

Although a 350 doesn't often have ABC whereas a 500 doesn't often not have ABC. If he's trying to avoid servicing costs the 350 is more sensible.

OP - the 350 and 500 engines are of the same family. The V6 is a V8 with 2 cylinders lopped off. They share the same 90 degree V and general design.

 

[Bay Leaf]

I've seen a nice 2014 one but it's an AMG with a W231 engine whatever that means. Is the AMG a sports spec ie bigger wheels tougher suspension etc. And what's with the engine.
All advice is greatly appreciated.

BL

 

[LostKiwi]

It won't be a W231 - it'll be an R231 and that describes the body/chassis as opposed to the engine.
Post the reg number or VIN and we can see what engine it has.

For future reference:
W = saloon/SUV
S = estate
R = roadster (convertible)
C = coupé

Engines are M = petrol and OM = diesel.

Proper AMGs have 2 numbers after the model e.g. SL55, M55, C43 etc
If it's got 3 numbers it's a marketing special (or someone put an AMG badge on it more likely). If it's a marketing special it may have AMG body kit or wheels or trim but the engine and transmission will be the same as standard. It may have sports suspension (but probably not AMG suspension).

 

[Srdl]

For future reference:
W = saloon
X = SUV
S = estate
R = roadster (convertible)
C = coupé

FTFY

 

[alexanderfoti]

FTFY

For future reference:
W = saloon
X = SUV
S = estate
R = roadster
C = coupé
A = Convertible

Fixed that for both of you /s