If you’re looking at a Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale, something has probably gone badly wrong with the one in your AMG. Maybe a turbo let go, maybe the timing chain jumped, or maybe the engine lost its coolant and cooked itself before anyone noticed. It happens to good cars. An E63, S63 or G63 with a healthy body and interior is still a serious car, and putting a good engine in it costs far less than replacing the whole thing.
The M157 is a monster of an engine. It’s a 5.5 litre twin-turbo V8, hand-built by AMG, and it makes the kind of torque that shoves a two-tonne saloon down the road like a sports car. It’s also a complicated, expensive engine that needs proper care. Buy a tired one and you’ll feel it in your wallet very quickly.
We’re NJ Global Auto Parts. We sell used and rebuilt engines and ship them to buyers all over the world. This is what we’d tell you if you rang us about a Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale: the versions, full specs, the cars it fits, the checks we make, the common faults, what drives the price, shipping and fitting. Read what you need.
What You’re Buying With a Mercedes-Benz M157 Engine for Sale
AMG brought out the M157 around 2010 to replace the naturally aspirated 6.2 litre M156. The idea was simple enough: a smaller engine with two turbos, more torque and better fuel use. It worked. The M157 made more torque than the M156 almost everywhere in the rev range and used noticeably less fuel doing it.
It’s a 90-degree V8 with an aluminium block and heads, four cams, 32 valves and spray-guided direct injection. The turbos sit on the outside of the banks, with air-to-water intercooling. Like most AMG engines of the period, each one was assembled by a single technician, and there’s a plate on the engine with that person’s signature on it.
If you want the background, the Mercedes-Benz M157 engine page lists the versions and outputs. For buying, the thing that matters most is which car the engine came out of and which power level it was built for.
Mercedes-Benz M157 Engine for Sale: Full Specifications
These are the numbers we’re asked for most. Outputs vary with model, year and whether the car had the AMG Performance Package or the S version.
| Engine code | M157 (AMG 5.5 V8 biturbo) |
| Layout | 90-degree V8, twin turbo, petrol |
| Displacement | 5,461 cc (5.5 L) |
| Bore x stroke | 98.0 mm x 90.5 mm |
| Block and heads | Aluminium |
| Valvetrain | DOHC per bank, 32 valves, variable cam timing |
| Cam drive | Timing chains |
| Fuel system | Spray-guided direct injection with piezo injectors |
| Charge cooling | Air-to-water intercoolers |
| Compression ratio | About 10.0:1 |
| Power, standard versions | About 386 kW (525 PS) to 400 kW (544 PS) |
| Power, Performance Package and S versions | About 410 kW (557 PS) to 430 kW (585 PS) |
| Torque | About 700 Nm to 900 Nm depending on model and version |
| Production | About 2010 to 2018 |
| Replaced | M156 6.2 V8 |
The spread of torque figures is wide because AMG tuned the same basic engine differently for each car. An S63 coupe and a G63 don’t have the same map, the same intake or always the same turbos. When we quote a Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale, we give you the engine number, the donor car, the year and the power version, so you can compare it with what’s in your car.
Which Mercedes Models Use the M157
The M157 went into most of AMG’s bigger cars during the 2010s. These are the ones people ask us about most:
- E63 AMG and E63 AMG S (W212, S212), saloon and estate, rear-drive and 4MATIC.
- CLS63 AMG and CLS63 AMG S (C218, X218).
- S63 AMG (W221 late, W222) and the S63 AMG Coupe (C217).
- CL63 AMG (C216).
- SL63 AMG (R231).
- ML63 AMG and GLE63 (W166), GL63 AMG and GLS63 (X166).
- G63 AMG (W463) before the newer G-Class arrived.
These engines share a code, but they don’t all bolt straight into each other’s cars. Sumps, oil pickups, engine mounts, intake plumbing, wiring and software change between the saloons, the SUVs and the G-Class, and 4MATIC cars need their own parts again. Send us your VIN and we’ll match a Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale to your exact car.
M157 vs M156 vs M278: Don’t Mix Them Up
Three Mercedes V8 codes cause most of the confusion we see.
M156 is the older 6.2 litre naturally aspirated AMG V8. No turbos, very different engine. If your car has one, see our M156 and M159 engines instead.
M157 is the 5.5 litre twin-turbo AMG V8 covered here.
M278 is the non-AMG 4.6 litre twin-turbo V8 used in cars like the S500, E500, CLS500 and ML500. It’s closely related to the M157 in design, but it’s a different displacement, a different build and a different tune. It’s not a swap. We cover it in our M278 vs M157 article.
Sellers sometimes list these loosely, and “Mercedes biturbo V8” can mean any of the newer ones. Before you buy any Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale, check the engine number on the block and the donor car. It’s the quickest way to avoid a very expensive mistake.
7 Checks We Make on Every Mercedes-Benz M157 Engine for Sale
A clean carbon engine cover in a nice photo tells you nothing about what’s underneath. These are the checks we make, and the questions you should put to any seller.
1. Engine Number, Version and Donor Car
We photograph the engine number and record the donor car, year, drivetrain and power version. That tells us which cars the engine will suit and what needs to move across from your old one. A seller who won’t send this photo isn’t worth your time.
2. Compression on All Eight Cylinders
We test every cylinder and compare the readings. You want them even. A low one can mean a burnt valve, worn rings or a head gasket issue, and on a twin-turbo engine it’s something you must know before paying. We share the numbers on every Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale we list.
3. Timing Chains and Cam Adjusters
The M157 uses chains and cam adjusters, and neglected engines can develop chain stretch and adjuster wear. That shows up as a rattle at cold start and timing fault codes. We check what we can, look at the history where we have it and listen on engines we can run.
4. Turbochargers and Oil Lines
We check both turbos for shaft play and for oil on the compressor side, and we look at the wastegates and actuators. The oil and coolant feed lines to the turbos are known leak points too, so we look at every one of them.
5. Injectors and Misfires
The piezo injectors are precise and expensive. A failing one can cause misfires, rough running and, in bad cases, damage to a piston. We check for signs of injector trouble and uneven running and tell you what we find.
6. Coolant System and Leaks
The M157 has a main cooling circuit and a separate low-temperature circuit for the intercoolers. Leaks from hoses, the water pump, the turbo coolant lines and the intercooler pump are common with age. We check them and note everything.
7. What’s Included
A complete engine with turbos, intercoolers, injectors, wiring and accessories is worth a lot more than a long block. We list exactly what’s fitted to each Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale and show it in the photos, so you can compare prices properly.
Common M157 Problems You Should Know About
Knowing the weak points helps you judge any Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale and look after the one you buy.
- Timing chain stretch and cam adjuster wear. Usually linked to long oil change intervals and a lot of short trips.
- Turbo oil and coolant line leaks. Rubber and seals in a very hot area age quickly.
- Intercooler pump failure. The low-temperature circuit pump can fail, which cuts power and throws warnings.
- Injector faults. Misfires and rough idle from failing piezo injectors.
- Coils and plugs. A turbo V8 is hard on ignition parts, and misfires often start here.
- Valve cover and oil leaks. Common with age and worth fixing before oil reaches hot parts.
- Carbon on the intake valves. A direct-injection issue that builds up on cars used mostly in town.
For a deeper look at the numbers, see our M157 engine specs article and our M157 AMG performance article.
Does Your AMG Really Need a New Engine?
Before you spend big money, make sure the engine is actually finished. A lot of M157 cars that run badly have problems around the engine, not inside it.
These signs usually mean a replacement makes sense:
- Low compression on one or more cylinders.
- A knock from the bottom end.
- Coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant.
- Valve or piston damage after a chain or injector failure.
- Metal in the oil or filter.
Misfires, limp mode and warning lights are often coils, plugs, an injector, the intercooler pump, a boost leak or a sensor. A good AMG specialist can tell the difference. If the engine really is done, a Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale is the sensible way forward. Send us the diagnosis and we’ll suggest the right engine and the parts worth keeping from your old one.
Used, Rebuilt or Long Block?
Used. A tested engine from a donor car, sold as described. For most owners, a used Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale is the best mix of cost and risk.
Rebuilt. A rebuilt Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale has been stripped, measured and reassembled with new wear parts where needed, often including timing parts. It costs more, but you start with a known engine.
Long block. The core engine without some of the ancillaries. A good choice if your turbos, injectors and accessories are healthy.
See what’s available now on our Mercedes-Benz M157 engine product page.
What Affects the Price of a Mercedes-Benz M157 Engine for Sale
Price is the first thing most people ask. Here’s what moves it:
- Version and model. S-version and later engines usually cost more.
- Mileage and condition. Even compression, quiet chains and clean oil push the value up.
- Completeness. Turbos, injectors, intercoolers and wiring are worth a lot on this engine.
- Drivetrain. 4MATIC and rear-drive engines differ in some parts.
- Used or rebuilt. A rebuild covers parts and many hours of skilled labour.
- Freight. Where it’s going matters, so we quote shipping before you pay.
A very cheap Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale usually has a reason behind the price. It might be missing the turbos, it might have a chain problem, or it might actually be an M278 listed carelessly. Ask for photos and the engine number before you talk money.
It’s worth thinking about the whole job too, not just the engine. Labour on these cars is serious, and you’ll want gaskets, fluids, filters and probably some hoses and mounts on top. A good engine fitted once almost always works out cheaper than a cheap one fitted twice.
Buying a Mercedes-Benz M157 Engine for Sale From Overseas
Most of our buyers are a long way from us. Paying for an expensive engine you can’t touch feels risky, and that’s a fair feeling. Here’s how to take most of the risk out of it with any seller.
Ask for photos of the actual engine from several angles, including the engine number. Ask for the test results in writing. Get the freight cost and the delivery point confirmed before you pay. And find out what happens if the engine arrives damaged. We do all of that as standard.
Many of our customers are workshops ordering a Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale for a client’s car. They need the details clear on paper, and private owners get exactly the same service. Talk to your specialist before you order. They can confirm the diagnosis, tell you which version your car needs and list what they’ll reuse from the old engine.
Shipping a Mercedes-Benz M157 Engine for Sale Worldwide
We ship every Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale worldwide. Each one goes out drained, with openings capped, strapped to a pallet or crated, and with the turbos, sensors, wiring and fuel system protected.
Sea freight is the usual choice because it costs far less. Air freight is there when the car has to be back on the road quickly. We confirm the cost and the arrival port or airport before you commit.
You’ll get the commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading or airway bill. Your customs broker handles duty and taxes at your end. Engines are classified under the HS system run by the World Customs Organization, so the paperwork is routine. Our shipping policy has the details, and our refund and returns policy covers what happens if anything arrives damaged.
Fitting Tips From AMG Specialists
These are the things good specialists do when they fit a Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale:
- Find out why the old engine died. If a turbo failed, clean the intercoolers and charge pipes before the new engine goes in. Debris from a failed turbo can wreck a fresh one.
- Replace heat-sensitive parts while it’s out. Turbo oil and coolant lines, hoses, valve cover gaskets and engine mounts are far easier to reach now.
- Check the intercooler pump and bleed the low-temperature circuit properly.
- Fresh plugs, and coils where needed. Cheap insurance on a turbo V8.
- Match the software. Make sure the engine suits the car’s engine computer, and run a full scan after the first start.
- Use the correct oil to the Mercedes approval in your service book, and change it early after the engine settles in.
Looking After the M157 Once It’s Running
This engine rewards good care. A few habits make a big difference.
- Change the oil more often than the longest interval allows. Clean oil protects the chains, adjusters and turbos.
- Warm it up properly. Don’t use full boost until the oil is warm.
- Let the turbos cool with a short idle after hard driving.
- Watch both coolant levels. The main and intercooler circuits both matter.
- Listen at cold start. A chain rattle is much cheaper to fix early.
- Give it a proper run now and then. Endless short trips are hard on any direct-injection turbo engine.
Treat it well and a Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale you buy today can keep your AMG going strong for years.
Stock Engine or Tuned Engine?
A lot of M157 cars have been tuned. It’s one of the easiest AMG engines to get big power from with software and a few parts, and plenty of owners have done exactly that. It’s worth knowing whether the engine you’re buying has been through that, and whether your own car has.
A tuned engine isn’t automatically a bad engine. But more boost means more heat and more load on the turbos, pistons, injectors and gearbox. If a donor car was tuned hard, we’ll tell you, and we price the engine with that in mind. If your own car was tuned, tell us too, because it may affect which parts from your old engine are worth reusing and whether the software needs putting back to standard.
Our advice for most buyers is simple: fit a healthy Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale, run it at standard power for a while, and only think about tuning once you’re happy everything else in the car is up to it. Brakes, gearbox, cooling and tyres all take the strain too.
Parts Worth Keeping From Your Old M157
Even a badly damaged M157 usually has plenty of good parts on it, and some of them are expensive. It pays to know which ones before you decide what to buy.
If the engine failed because of a jumped chain or a single injector, the turbos, intercoolers, alternator, starter, air conditioning compressor and much of the wiring are often fine. If it failed from oil starvation or a turbo coming apart, we’d be much more careful about reusing anything that shared oil or charge air with it. That’s why we always ask how your engine died.
Knowing this helps us pick the right Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale for you. Sometimes a long block is all you need, and sometimes a complete engine is the better buy. There’s no point paying for a complete Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale if half of what comes with it is already healthy on your old one. Send us your mechanic’s findings and we’ll tell you straight which Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale makes the most sense.
Questions to Ask Before You Pay for a Mercedes-Benz M157 Engine for Sale
- Which car, year and power version did it come from?
- Can I see a photo of the engine number?
- What were the compression readings?
- Any chain noise or timing codes?
- Are both turbos included, and what state are they in?
- Was the donor car tuned?
- Is it used, rebuilt or a long block, and what’s fitted?
- What does the freight quote include?
We answer every one of these for each Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale on our site. If we don’t know, we say so.
Other Mercedes Engines We Supply
If your car has the newer 4.0 V8, read our M279 buying guide or look at the M176, M177 and M178 engines. For the non-AMG V8 there’s the Mercedes M278 engine, and for the supercharged SL65 era there’s our M159 buying guide. Browse everything under Mercedes engines and our full used engines range.
For official model information, the Mercedes-AMG website is the place to check.
Why Buy From NJ Global Auto Parts
We match each Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale to your VIN before you pay. You get photos of the actual engine, a written summary of our checks and a clear list of what’s included, flaws and all. We quote freight up front, wherever you are.
If we don’t have the right engine for your car, we’ll tell you. We’d rather lose a sale than ship the wrong V8. Read more about us or visit the shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much power does the M157 make?
From about 386 kW (525 PS) in standard E63 form up to about 430 kW (585 PS) in S versions, with torque from about 700 Nm up to about 900 Nm.
Will an E63 engine fit a G63?
The core engine is the same family, but the sump, mounts, intake and software differ. It can be done, but a matching engine is easier. Ask us first.
Is your Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale used or rebuilt?
We offer both. Each listing and quote says which.
Does it come with the turbos?
That depends on the engine. We list what’s fitted and show it in the photos.
Do you ship to my country?
Yes. We ship worldwide by sea or air, with freight quoted before you pay.
What if it arrives damaged?
Contact us straight away with photos. We’ll sort it out with you using our inspection record and your quote.
A Mercedes-Benz M157 engine for sale should come with real photos, honest notes and a seller who knows where these engines go wrong. That’s what we try to give every buyer. Send us your VIN through the contact page, tell us about your car, and we’ll tell you what we have and what it will cost to get it to you.