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M276 vs 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 carries less risk than the M276: 14/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (moderate risk). The M276 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Chain tensioners with poor lubrication in the first M276s (2011-2014)»; the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

M276

32

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12

14

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

23 sourcesHow we work

Is the M276 reliable?

The M276 is the petrol V6 with direct injection and three chains that Mercedes-Benz built from 2010 to 2023, in 3.5 naturally aspirated, 3.0 twin-turbo and 3.5 twin-turbo versions. Its documented weak point is the lubrication of the chain tensioners in the first naturally aspirated series, up to around the end of 2014; the later ones are considered not very problematic, with intake carbon build-up as a high-mileage ailment.[1][2][3][4]

See the 3 of the M276 faults

Is the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 reliable?

The EW10 (2.0) and EW12 (2.2) are naturally aspirated 16-valve petrol engines with a timing belt, which PSA fitted between 1999 and 2010 to the 206, 307, 406, 407, 607, 807, C4, C5 and C8, among others. According to owners there are no frequent internal failures: the most-cited problems are the ignition coils (the only fault also reported by the press), the exhaust and, on the 2.2, oil consumption.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

See the of the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12 fault

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of M276 and 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12
M2761.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power252–401 hp116–177 hp
Production2010–2023[13][14]1999–2010[5][7][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)32Moderate risk14Low risk
Documented faults31
Of high or critical severity10
Worst severityHigh severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Chain tensioners with poor lubrication in the first M276s (2011-2014)
  2. Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the M276 intake valves (direct injection)
  3. Medium severity: Worn intake camshaft variator on the M276
  1. Medium severity: Faulty ignition coils
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • M276 DE30 LA 3.0 twin-turbo (2013-2023, 333-401 hp)[2][4]
  • M276 DE35 LA 3.5 twin-turbo (2014-2018, 333 hp)[1][2]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • M276 DE35 3.5 naturally aspirated (2010-2018, 252-306 hp)[1][3][20][21]
  • 2.0 16v VVT 177 hp (EW10J4S, RFK, 2003-2008)[8][17][19]
  • 2.0 HPi 140 hp direct injection (EW10D, RLZ, 2001-2004)[9][11]
  • 2.2 16v 158-163 hp (EW12J4, 3FZ/3FY, 1999-2010)[9][10][12][16][22]
  • 1.8 16v 115-117 hp (EW7J4, 6FZ, 2000-2005)[9][18]
  • 1.8 16v 125-127 hp (EW7A, 6FY, 2005-2010)[10][23]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

Other comparisons

With the M276

With the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW7/EW10/EW12

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Mercedes E-Klasse W212, S212: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  2. Mercedes E-Klasse W213, S213 – Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 18 December 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  3. Mercedes M276 timing chain rattle8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · published 11 January 2024 · consulted 2 November 2026
  4. The 4 Most Common Mercedes M276 Engine Problems8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  6. Peugeot 307 Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 2 November 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  7. Peugeot 407 problems (reseña de Graham Smith)CarsGuide (Australia) · Motoring press · published 17 March 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
  8. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 307 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  9. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 406 1995-2004 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  10. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 407 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  11. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C5 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  12. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C8 2002-2015 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  13. Mercedes-Benz M 276Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Mercedes-Benz M276 engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  15. Peugeot 406Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  16. Peugeot 307 2.0 16V 140 ch: courroie de distribution (intervalo, tiempo y riesgo)Mecazen · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  17. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 206 1998-2006 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  18. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën Xsara Picasso 1999-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  19. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C4 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  20. Mercedes-Benz GLK (X204) – Typische Probleme & MängelGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 20 July 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  21. Mercedes-Benz Timing Chain TensionersAutomotive Tech Info · Technical documentation · published August 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026
  22. Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 607 2000-2011 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  23. Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C5 2008-2017 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French