NickW

I've read a number of threads on here about purchasing a 10-11 E63. I know the general consensus is go for a 12+, but I don't want to be stretched out and I'm fine with starting out with the M156 since I don't plan to modify it much, if at all...as long as it was made after Mercedes addressed the head bolt issue.

The car I'm actually heading to go look at now is a 2011 with 19k miles.

Any advice or things to watch for specific for this car?

Also, I ran the vin (WDDHF7HB6BA267145) on an online vin decoder and it stated that the engine serial number is 156985 60 060518. This appears to me to be after Mercedes corrected the issue since it is after 156983 60 060658 (the last known affected engine). Can you guys confirm?

Thanks!
Nick

cetialpha5

I believe the way you read the engine numbers is that it's the last set of digits after the 60. The 156 is the engine and the 983/985 is some variant of that engine/body. But it's the last 6 that's the actual serial number of the engine. I think on more popular engines like the 272, you see the middle number pop up from 30 to 31 as they made over a million of those engines but maybe not the 156.

Anyway, a somewhat basic E63 as far as E63's go, no driver assistance package but not a complete base model, at least it has P2. But otherwise not too bad. If you want to avoid the head bolt problem for sure, make sure those last 6 digits are after that reference number.

NickW

Dang. That makes sense. That would mean this one does have the head bolt issue. Thanks for your response.

cetialpha5

That also had a September 2010 build date so when they say 2011+, that number probably helps narrow it down to some time after September.

Celicasaur

From my understanding, generally all W212 models have the revised motor.

Pop the hood...if you see black valve covers, that's a sure-fire way to quickly identify the updated bolts etc.

But yeah, the engine number method is a more precise way to work it out

NickW

Thanks for the responses. I've heard about the black valve covers, this one has silver. But every 2011 that I've seen has the silver. What's the story with the black ones? Is sinethinh Mercedes did if they changed the bolts, or is that for engines that were built with the improved bolts?

Valvestud

This car is part of the affected group. You can go over to the W204 and search. There you will find more than you wanted to know about the issue.

Regards,

Joe