Mercedes-AMG Engine Tier List 

Note: at 8:13 - Since making this video the M159 is no longer the most powerful N/A V8 since it was surpassed by the 2023 Corvette Z06.

M113K should be in the S tier for the reliability and tuning possibles

M113 the most reliable engine Mercedes has made deserves better..

I think it's unfair to rate the motors MOSTLY for their power. I think the M119, M156 and M113k are like one of the most iconic amg engines ever. Also for their reliability.

I mostly agree with this assessment, but as other people have mentioned, M113K is S tier for sure.

M157 is way underrated. It should be A tier without batting and eye. The amount of tq this motor produces and the fact people are reaching well beyond 200k miles. . With just a tune and some bolt on this motor is capable 950bhp and over 1000 crank tq. wear like coolant lines getting brittle is a past the 100k mark. Which is an easy replacement. If someone is saying that this job is hard they shouldn’t be fixing engine. This engines produces gooobbbbsss of tq like no motor I’ve seen.

M113k will always be the godly amg motor. Definitely S tier

The M157 MUST be moved up to the A tier lol. I feel like it was kind of either forgotten or overlooked by its predecessor and by its successor the M156 and M177/78. I do not own a car with the M157, but I've driven the old W212 E63 and I just love the powerband, the torque is amazing, and its just an effortless experience and much sharper than the 4.7l TT variant. Sounds amazing too, better than the more rev happy M177/78 4.0

I would put the M157 in A tier but maybe I’m just biased because I have it in my estate E63s 😄👌🏻

M157 is a Masterpiece, maybe the best they have ever build.

M157 “A” tier imo Also M139 deserves to be “A” tier imo on hp per liter alone, one of the highest in production.

Subjective sure… but I think the general consensus is that M157 should be a tier above. It was an engine that put MB in another level of performance tier not to mention great reliability. It does look a bit funkier and not as appealing as previous generation engines or the new.

M113 technically was first seen in the c43. Great video. M119 should have gotten more credit. It was used in a mercedes lemans car

Way off on the M157 placement. That engine was good enough to replace ALL M156 cars (except C63, they didn't want to outsell the E-class like they did with the NA w212 E63) however this motor is the flagship V8 that came with the best transmission AMG made, 4matic, eco start/stop, got below gas guzzler tax, and tune only puts out the same power as the 65 V12s tuned. It's an incredible motor and probably the best performance bargain as many M157 cars are still very close in performance to AMGs current M177 powered lineup. All in all I think it deserves S tier consideration.

Longtime fan, almost everything you’ve said in this video I agree with. I feel like the M157 should get a little more credit for being a completely savage engine but other than that I’m 100% with you,

M156 is the true successor to the m119, true race bred engine, dohc, light weight materials, naturally aspirated, such great engines.

Agreed with literally every single placement, except for the M157 should still be in A. Yes it was not as "special" as the previous M156 & M113k but the tuning potential with a simple ECU tune at the time was crazy. You would need a Weistec supercharger on a M156 to make the same power as a M157 with nothing but a ECU tune. Modded stage 2 M177s today are still just putting down the same power as a tuned M157. It has its own issues yes, but is still more reliable than the M156. Its the last "deep rumbling" V8's AMG produced before the 4.0 M177-M178. Ethanol tunes finally came out for the M157 last year & along with a TCU tune, people have been running 10's in the 1/4 mile, trapping over 130mph+ in stock block, stock turbo M157's...its quite a feat

im a E55 AMG guy love the M113K motors

I think the M113 should be higher..what it may lack in power , it makes up for in bullet proof reliability , ease of service and much better fuel economy. It literally has no major problems ,,unlike the M156 for example.

Great video, I would definitely swap the m156 with the m157 on the chart. Performance the m156 was in marginal step down from the m113k, reliability the m156 was one of the most unreliable Angie motors. And not just little things, catastrophic failures with head bolts among the other things you're familiar with. The m157 has been a proven platform for a long time, much better on gas. Yes, we are familiar with Taos 's video, but bent rods is a rare issue only with truly maxed-out engines.

He’s done it again,always love to see your new releases. Thanks for the school on all AMG engines. You did not mentioned the Ls1 and Ls2 AMG variant.

Great overview! Thanks for this! I have the m113k in my E55 and the M156 in my SL63. They are so different, but I really love both....I totally agree with your ranking.

M112k 3.2 V6 twin-screw supercharged V6 should be moved up 1 tier up above and away from a tier with the 4 cylinder AMG turbo engine the M139 even though the M112k makes less power. The M112k is a pretty stout V6 and loves more boost if you can find one.

Great job and I agree that it’s as much about the ‘experience’ of driving with these engines. I love my M113/C55. Thanks

Happy M156 engine owner, for 13 years this engine never let me down. Raw power and incredible sound!

So much of an AMG's character is defined by its emgine - thanks for this videp... An excellent reference work!!

I love the m157

M157 must be in A

Extremely well produced and informative video, thank you!

Great job with this list. I absolutely love my M156. It kicks ass!😂

Thumbed up before the video even started. I know this gon be gooood

As always, a great video. I was hopeful in seeing the M279 6.0L Biturbo V12. The successor to the M275. But regardless it was a good video, this kind of video is something many other's including myself had been looking out for as AMG Enthusiasts. I knew of all people in the world that you would be the one to make it 👍👍👍.

Thanks for this information, I’m pretty new when it comes to Mercedes engines so this video helped me a lot, Thank you 🙌

Thank you for your great videos. I fully agree with your ranking. Would not have done better.

M113k of course.

My M113K is still going strong in my '03 CL55 AMG with 155K on the clock. The car may collapse around it, but the engine still sounds amazing!

Love this video! I own 1996, S320 and 1992 S350 turbo diesel! They still perform miraculously well at 2021! Love to know more about them. I inherited them by accident!! 😊

love your detail! Great rundown!

Good job old man, very very interesting. Please, more videos!

Don‘t agree with your compartion M156 and M157. M156 has a lot issures more than the M157. M157 has the most potential of increase of power and torque. And chain problems already fixed up from 2013. And it is the last engine with high engine volume of 5,4 liter. Don‘t forget it was the first engine with biturbo, 4matic which was built in mercedes cars. And compare to M156 it was a complete different engine construction with high fuel efficency.

Brilliant! great description, well done!

I didn't realise AMG had so many engines! Thanks for this video!

Reliable M113, influential M113k, and widely used M156 all feel underrated in this list. Would love another video like this that goes more in depth on each engine and grades on a set of criteria (ex. popularity, reliability, application).

Thank you so much for this simple video 4 my favorite manufacturer's performance division 👍👍👍

Your a true amg fan. Love the videos

I have owned many m113k and m157 and the 157 is better in every way!

Trying to find comparisons on these engines is quite difficult so it’s great to hear such a well written summary thanks!

Very interesting & well presented...thankyou..👍

Great video!, I agree with most of his opinions on these motors with the exception of putting the M156 in the same tier with 4 other motors that are practically bulletproof and and share massively impressive attributes. I give serious kudos to AMG for what they accomplished going fully independent and incorporating racing technology in the creation of the M156; not to mention that it sounds AMAZING more so than the other motors in that tier. However, with cooling, headbolt, and cam adjuster issues, causing, in some cases, catastrophic failures, I don't feel that it deserves A tier status. B tier appears to be more like its rightful place. Just my 2 cents✌🏽

OM612 is great engine, shame that amg wouldn’t tune OM629, that would be something. M113k, M155, M156, M159, M275 those are mine heroes.

This is a really good and different idea. I like it, you should make a tier list for all manufactures, start a small series

This was really great. SUGGESTION : Putting a timeline on the x-axis would allow us to better understand the development over time.

love this guys videos

M157 engine deserves A tier. I own CLS63 AMG and sound way better than M177 or M156 sounds like lion roar. So much reliability and one single ECU tune puts out up to 700 hp.

M113K FTW

00:51 you're living in everyman's dream my man~thanks for uploaded such an informative video~

The M133 is easily one of the most impressive feats from AMG... Im dissapointed you put it at D tier, they are solid engines, and it does sound amazing for a 4 banger, ofc it has nothing on a V8. But still

Great upload!

Very good overview. I think this list and ranking is pretty much spot on, with maybe the exception of the M133. Yes it is a 4-banger, but it's output for a 2.0 was among the best across any manufacturer, and I think it's easily the best sounding inline 4-cylinder engine, even more so than the M139. C tier seems more approriate.

Considering the improvements that were later made on the M156, I would recommend it be placed at S-level. This is the engine that took AMG away from petrol head anoraks into popular consciousness. Its the engine most people know AMG for. It also delivered stonking performance worthy of its rivals. Other than this, I agree with the list.

M276 sounds so good for a V6, I'd swap the m256 and M276

Great information as always, if possible, I would consider the M119 short/ and closed deck as fitted to the W124 should be in the B grade. AMG did a lot of work to make this engine possible and the high valve of the E60 cars means this should at least be a B plus. It’s also worth noting these particular Engine are extremely reliable, with zero common faults. Don’t forget, this engine was responsible for the 1989 Sauber Mercedes Win at LevMans

My first MB was a C43 AMG estate with M113 100% reliability over the 12 years and 70,000 miles. Sounds great and v fast. Last Year I sold it and bought a C63s Estate with M177 which is another story...+200 more horses and monsterously quick

It’s true the mountain of torque from the M157 should move it up, having had one for a few months now it is impressive 😁

Glad you understand this well! we want sound, volume and power! otherwise we can just buy a Toyota. I hope AMG wakes up and keeps making the brutal V8's and V12's !

The M113 naturally aspirated engine is basically bulletproof more reliable than the M113Kompressor model but you rate the M113 lower? Sure dude sure

I have the W204 2015 C63 507. The last ones before switching to turbos. Love to see the ranking on Range Rover Sports and SVR

I'm glad you put the M159 in the S-tier!

The stance of that black E55 is PERFECT 👍 😘

awesome video, hope one day I can afford E55 with M113k.

I think that the m157 deserve to be in A and m178 in S, the m178 is the most performant and a highly developed engine from AMG, in amg GTR its sounds like a naturaly aspirated engine, you have to mention the m178 Ls2 apart and put it in the S+, thanks for your efforts

Dark Soul ranking system. Thumbs up

This Was Freaken Awesome!!!! OMG Make some shirts already!!!! i want to buy a shirt!!! LOL

Awesome video

08:08 The 2023 Z06 Corvette produced 670 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque and redline of 8,600 rpm. Thanks for a great video.

The M133 (2.0 I4 T) and the M177 (4.0 V8 TT) are actually close relatives from a technical standpoint. As the per liter output of the 4 cylinder M133 is higher you can estimate what potential the V8 version has, even with emissions accessories (keeping in mind increased thermal losses in larger engines). The next possible step for AMG would be to make a replacement for the M177 / M178 based on the new M139 2.0 I4 T engine. But sadly as internal combustion engine development is coming to a halt in Germany we might never see such replacement. Instead the M139 - possibly the large scale last internal combustion engine of AMG - will creep upwards through the Mercedes lineup (new C63 hybrid).

Maybe its the era i grew up in but i think the M156 is one of the best V8’s ever made. Best sound, smooth but strong power delivery. Perfect NA V8. S tier imo

My 2006 C180 Kompressor Evolution S (just 20 UK units) with only 35000 on clock has cost me £2000 last 8 months..all underneath wear and tear ..thanks for video..appreciated

OM612 maybe wasn't as AMG planned but, sure it's impressive. I wish I had a w203 T model with the 612

I have an M112K and it's very reliable. Really good V6 that you can mod easily to get up to 400hp and feel no negative effects.

I've had all the A tier engines apart from the 178 - and my favourite would have to be the 113k and just behind it the 275. The 156 is lovely sounding but not as thrilling as the 113k's torque. I think the 157 is probably fair enough in B tier - its still a monster motor but its a lot more 'electrically limited' feeling - in saying that though, the 177 feels that way too! Even with ESP off my C63s used to feel still somewhat delinked from the accellerator pedal.

You got all that spot on 👍

M157 is a BEAST at least an A...

M157 maybe should be in A section💪🏾

I’m looking to get E55 for second car, after I seen all of your video I’m pretty comfortable to purchase one

M157 doesn't deserve to be B tier. Very underrated engine.

Speaking from M177 owner, M133 should be at least C Tier along with M139, if not higher (for both) due to V8 "favoritism", also I think M178 particularly the LS2 on AMG GT Black Series & Aston Martin Valhalla definitely deserves the S Tier, great list though, thank you for putting them together.

I have an m278 on my SL, a very good engine ,handles 600+ HP and runs E85 tune with no problems, no issues.

In my opinion, the M156 and M159 are the best and I think will remain to be the best N/A engines in the world. It's sad that new N/A cars are just getting rarer and rarer thanks to emission regulations. With that, there aren't that many good solutions to keep an engine's original displacement. Manufactures either A. Put even bigger OPFs, B. Twin Turbo or C. Kill it completely. It's disappointing to hear that the next C63 AMG won't even have a V8.

Love the video

The M133 is a turbocharged inline-four engine produced by Mercedes-Benz. Since its debut in 2013, it has been awarded International Engine of the Year three times in the "Best New Engine" and "1.8-litre to 2-litre" categories. D Tier... ok, I had a 2017 A45 for 5 years and that had a crazy good sounding exhaust, it was much louder than the previous iteration.

This list will be my AMG Bible

M104 needs to be atleast B tier. People a making over 1000hp with it. On stock internals it's good for up to 400hp. The M119 very underrated solid A tier, The Kangaroos Team made 717hp and 771nm on stock internals with twin turbo setup. PS: Like many said M113K is S tier, with some tuning (stock internals) it gets 750-800hp so quite well built. I wish AMG did OM606 turbo as their diesel option. It makes crazy hp (over 600hp) only with a big turbo and more fuel. That's the diesel 2JZ lol

The M119 was also used in the sauber C9/C11 with twin turbos setup.

A shout out for the M260. I have Thai engine in my A35 AMG and it’s Very characterful with good power. Whilst to appreciate that it’s bottom of this chart it is still a great engine for a small performance hatch back.

The old AMG engines are the beast

I think the M178 engine in the GTR before the particulate filters were added is up there as one of the best sounding cars they ever made, and I would put it comfortably in S tier, especially with how much praise the M177 got

Very good comparison! But the M279 as updated M275 and the M158 (Pagani) could probabbly be added too.

When you think of AMG the m156 comes to mind. It is arguably the best sounding muscle engine of the modern times. I also think the m276 is under rated, it is generally seen as better sounding and more exciting than the equivalent Audi V6 and BMW B56 even though the B56 gets all the attention. Finally I'd say the m155 in the SLR while a good engine is extremely expensive to maintain and doesn't have a high redline as many would hope in a racing inspired engine.

M112K is the best-sounding V6 for any production car IMO.