S-Class (W221) 2007-2013: S 320 CDI, S 350, S 450, S 500, S 550, S 420 CDI, S 600

M278 engine , reliability and issues experienced?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Dec 7, 2022 | 07:02 PM
  #26  
Jason B's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,430
Likes: 187
From: USA
W140 Mercedes S350, W221 S550 sport
I'm in love with the 2007-2011 5.5L N/A V8 sound. It's one of the main reasons I'll never sell this car. No issues with it and killer sound. Just another viewpoint.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2022 | 08:33 PM
  #27  
Senecat's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 785
1983 Nissan Shltbox
M278 is bulletproof. Literally millions of them still on the road from 10 years ago. It's the owners that are unreliable.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2022 | 08:35 PM
  #28  
eurochargedw210's Avatar
Super Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 672
Likes: 103
w210 E55
Originally Posted by Senecat
M278 is bulletproof. Literally millions of them still on the road from 10 years ago. It's the owners that are unreliable.
Being a Mercedes tech for the last 10 years, I can’t trust a 278, without a very good extended warranty.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2022 | 02:51 AM
  #29  
Senecat's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 785
1983 Nissan Shltbox
An engine generation that lasted a decade and beyond, and people avoid it? I'm just not seeing the logic.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2022 | 02:52 AM
  #30  
Senecat's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 785
1983 Nissan Shltbox
Originally Posted by eurochargedw210
Being a Mercedes tech for the last 10 years, I can’t trust a 278, without a very good extended warranty.
Must have gotten all the ones with $***ty owners that didn't care about them Lol
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2025 | 10:03 PM
  #31  
RichyK2000's Avatar
Junior Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
From: Sussex United Kingdom
E350 CGi BlueEfficiency Coupé C207 2010; ML350 W166 Bluetec 2014
So accurate!

Originally Posted by Neuschwanstein
07-2012 S550 here, German car with full MB History. Tensioners swapped according to TSB, 80'km down in 10 years. Everything is spotless and no oil leaks whatsoever, even camshaft sensors look fine and thus the harness.
I for myself think of it like "no worries until the magic 200'km mark" and if everything should be fine beyond this, then okay. Nevertheless we will have 2035 until i reach this mileage in kilometers and if political factors progress as they do, you will either have a diamond of a car worth overhauling the engine or a world where billionaires will be the only ones left able to maintain or fuel the car.
I exactly got the car in mid 2021 to experience what it is until the world has turned fully anti-combustion so you should think about getting a decent one and make up your mind when to drive it. As a daily for getting your errands and groceries, no way at least here in Germany. I rather take it as a dream transport solution once a week when goind to the office and back, 120 miles including german Autobahn.
And if that dream should be over in 10 years than i am a blessed man.
Hope you can get what i am trying to say. Get a jetta if you need an everyday allrounder (i do like jettas, please get me right, an S550 is a rare privilege getting even more so as times are a changing).

I agree entirely. We only have a few year left to enjoy and experience this...
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 1 votes, 3.00 average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:30 AM.

story-0
New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's updated GLE 63 S and GLS 63 bring a new-generation V8, subtle design revisions, and familiar supercar-rivaling performance figures.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-17 12:52:51


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

Slideshow: Mercedes has never been afraid to experiment, and some of its strangest ideas turned out to be surprisingly successful.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-2
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

Sideshow: A Middle Eastern tuner has transformed the Mercedes-AMG G 63 into an open-top special, replacing nearly every exterior panel in the process.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 15:29:50


VIEW MORE
story-3
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-5
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-7
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE