M2784.7L Petrol
The M278 is Mercedes-Benz's 4.7L biturbo V8 produced from 2010 to 2020 in standard (non-AMG) S, CL, SL, GL and ML 500/550 models. Its AMG sibling is the M157. Early units up to 2015 suffered piston scuffing and timing-chain oil starvation issues which Mercedes addressed via revised pistons, bore plating, and tensioner design.
10
Fits chassis
2010–2020
Years built
455 hp
Power
Used to fully refurbished — quoted per unit
3-month parts warranty
Cover on every used part we dispatch.
Nationwide courier
Courier Guy & Aramex — door to door.
Fitment guaranteed
Send your VIN — we confirm before you pay.
Bench-tested
Inspected and tested before dispatch.
M278 at a glance
| Displacement | 4.7L |
| Fuel type | Petrol |
| Power variants | 402 hp, 429 hp, 449 hp, 455 hp |
| Years produced | 2010–2020 |
| Replaces | M273 |
| Replaced by | M176 |
M278 fits these 10 Mercedes chassis
Each card links to that chassis hub — full parts catalogue plus fitment notes.
- W2212010-2013S-ClassS500/S550View parts
- W2222013-2020S-ClassS500/S550/S560View parts
- C2162010-2014CL-ClassCL500/CL550
- C2172014-2020S-Class CoupeS500/S550
- C2182011-2017CLS-ClassCLS500/CLS550
- R2312012-2020SL-ClassSL500/SL550
- W2122011-2013E-ClassE500/E550View parts
- W1662011-2019ML/GLE-ClassML500/GLE500View parts
- X1662012-2019GL/GLS-ClassGL500/GLS500View parts
- W4632015-2018G-ClassG500/G550
Common M278 problems
We disclose every known fault before sale. Transparency is cheaper than a bad return.
- Timing chain tensioner wear and oil starvation on cold start, particularly on pre-2015 units
- Cylinder bore scoring and piston scuffing on early production engines (addressed with steel-lined bores from mid-2015)
- Oil leaks from upper timing covers, oil filter housing, and camshaft plugs
- Plastic coolant lines breaking with age on pre-2015 engines
- Premature valve guide wear and valve seat leaks
- Turbocharger wastegate and oil leak failures
Featured parts for the M278
No live M278 listings right now
We strip 10–15 cars a month. Send your VIN and we'll WhatsApp you the moment one comes in.
M278 rebuilds — what to budget
Bench-tested used long blocks start around R 110 000 delivered, full forensic rebuilds with new wear items run up to R 200 000. Final price depends on mileage, ancillaries (turbo, injectors, flywheel) and warranty tier — quoted per unit, no list-price surprises.
Send us your VIN — we'll match the right unit
We confirm engine number, ancillaries and warranty tier in writing before you pay.
Tell us about your Mercedes — we'll source the M278
Three short steps. We reply within 2 hours during business hours with engine number, mileage, condition and a delivered price.
- Engine number confirmed against your VIN
- Bench-tested before dispatch
- 3-month warranty + nationwide courier
M278 engine — common questions
Door-to-door courier from R 199
All major SA cities · 1–3 working days · Insured shipping on every order · Couriered from Centurion