Omasha90

Hello guys, I am new member and I want to know which engine is more reliable for GLK 350. Is it M272 or M276?
As I am about to buy a vehicle, help me pleeeaaaasse.

calder-cay

Start with these two articles from the same author
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https://tuningpro.co/4-common-merced...gine-problems/
.
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​​​https://tuningpro.co/the-4-most-comm...gine-problems/

GLKattitude

Those articles are good reads despite a few glaring inaccuracies regarding the m276. It is in fact NOT related to the Chrysler pentastar v6. Both engines share a 60 deg v angle and that is ALL.

Article also says a 2012 intro but everything else I’ve seen says a 2013 intro for the m276.

Diamler Chrysler AG dumped off “Chrysler” in 2008 to a group of investors and removed Chrysler from the company name.

chassis

The M276 is arguably the most reliable MB engine in the past 20 years. Early years for the M276 had problems with timing chain tensioners, for which a dealer fix is available, if it has not already been done on the vehicle. This is known as the "check valve" issue and fix. Besides this, there are no systemic or catastrophic problems that have surfaced yet with the M276. For a period of time, the M276 was the workhorse engine for MB, being used in the C, E, S (non-US market), GLK, ML, GL, GLE and GLS.

Aspects of reliability for the M276:
- 60 degree engine block, unlike the M272 with a 90 degree engine block which requires a balancer assembly which fails
- intake manifold which so far has not shown itself to have similar problems as the M272 with tumble flap failure
- no severe intake valve carbon buildup. All modern engines have intake valve carbon deposits, it is a question of how severe. The M276 seems to be OK with this.
- no cylinder scoring
- no cylinder head or valve guide failure
- no piston cracking

The above comments are based on experience posted on this site to date. Confidence is warranted given the number of years and production volume achieved for the M276. It would be unlikely, although possible, for some of these problems to appear. But at this late stage of the M276 lifecycle, the coast is clear.

Chris1979

Although I would agree 100% with you, i do have to state some obvious opinions. The M276 is the reliable one of the two, however most Mercedes Benz always used the M272 before the M276. Most of the cars we have come to know and love had the M272. I have a 2011 GLK350 that has the M272 and I have not had issues with it. It has 113k miles right now. I do have to point out that I've noticed it requires quite a bit of maintenance though and be on the lookout for strange noises. The M276 would most likely not have that. However the maintenance on the M276 i think is more difficult considering even a simple spark plugs change if you're a DIY. The balance shaft was supposedly fixed on the M272 back in the early years around 2008 or such. Either way I would have preferred a newer GLK350 not because of the engine but the interior looks as well as body

GLKattitude

I actually own both currently. I have an 06 E350 w the 272 as well as the new-to-me GLK 350 with the 276. The E is so smooth and refined feeling and power is ok. The 276 in the GLK sounds worse idling (DI) but man! when you hit that gas pedal on that G all you say is “M two seventy who!!”

Odd Piggy

Any M272 after 2008 is a very good engine. Well maintained they are going 200k+ miles. The M272 is loosely based on the M112 which is one of MB’s “forever” engines with some W210 cars documented at 1 million miles.

There are well maintained M276 engines going 300k+ miles. The M276 engine 60 degree V is naturally balanced and inherently vibration free. It is a more compact design so spark plug maintenance is more complicated.

As far as the Chrysler Pentastar vs M276: Chrysler got the Pentastar V6 predecessor by cloning a 3.0 liter Mitsubishi engine from the 90s. It was basically a failure with internal valve train and piston wobble problems. Extensive rework resulted in the Pentastar around 2010-2011. The M276 is not related.

Any car with an M276 will be newer than one with an M272, but not necessarily lower mikes or better maintained. Either of these engines is a good choice and the condition, mileage, and maintenance history should be the deciding factor.

Odd Piggy

Yes.
GLk350: 302 HP, 4.4:1 1st gear
E350: 268 HP, 3.6:1 1st gear.
No contest.

Chris1979

Jajajja absolutely right on buddy!!! Yes the power is almost night and day. However me coming from a cheap 2015 Nissan Altima with an extremely even more cheap CVT trans is like night and day for me in that regard with my GLK 😂😂😂

GLKattitude

Yep its not a good race at all. But hey, at least my E Class has SBC brakes...Um. Wait... never mind...

W205C43PFL

Exactly.

All White Merc

My curiosity about the common difference between the M276 and M272 engines, has been satisfied!

Great work from the author ..