Engines

Mercedes-Benz M119 engine (1989-1999)



The Mercedes-Benz M119 was a V8 petrol engine that was introduced in 1989 to replace the M117 engine. The M119 engine had an aluminium alloy block with Alusil-coated cylinder walls, an aluminium alloy cylinder head, forged connecting rods, iron-coated cast aluminium pistons, double overhead camshafts per cylinder bank (chain-driven) and four valves per cylinder that were actuated via hydraulic bucket tappets. While the M119 E 42 had a compression ratio of 11.0:1, the M119 E 50 and E 60 engines had a compression ratio of 10.0:1.

The M119 engine also featured two-stage intake camshaft phasing that could be adjusted hydro-mechanically by up to 20 degrees:

  • From 0-2000 rpm, timing was retarded for improved idle and cylinder scavenging;
  • From 2000-4700 rpm, timing was advanced for greater torque; and,
  • Beyond 4700 rpm, timing was retarded for improved volumetric efficiency.

Initially, the M119 engine had a Bosch LH-Jetronic (‘Luftmasse-Hitzdraht’) injection control with a hot wire air mass meter, two ignition coils and two distributors (one for each cylinder bank). Furthermore, the ignition was controlled by a separate EZL (‘Elektronische Zündanlage’) i.e. ignition control module.

Around 1995 (depending on model), the distributors were replaced by coil packs (i.e. electronic distributorless ignition) where each plug had its own coil wire and Bosch ME injection was introduced. For the M119 E50 engine, this change was signified by the change in engine code from 119.970 to 119.980. For the M119 E42 engine, the code changed from 119.971 to 119.981.

The M119 engine was superseded by the M113 engine in 1997.

Engine Capacity Peak power Peak torque Models Years
M119 E 42 4196 cc
(92.0 x 78.9)
205 kW at 5700 rpm 400 Nm at 3900 rpm W124 400 E / E 420 1992-95
C140 S 420 / CL 420 1994-98
W140 S 420 1993-98
W210 E 420 1996-98
210 kW at 5700 rpm 410 Nm at 3900 rpm W140 400 SE 1991-93
M119 E 50 4973 cc
(96.5 x 85.0)
235 kW at 5600 rpm* 470 Nm at 3900 rpm* W124 E 500 1993-95
R129 500 SL / SL 500 1992-98
C140 500 SEC,
C140 S 500,
C140 CL 500
1992-98
W140 S 500 1993-98
240 kW at 5700 rpm 480 Nm at 3900 rpm W124 500 E 1990-93
R129 500 SL 1989-92
W140 500 SE 1991-93
255 kW at 5750 rpm 480 Nm at 3750-4250 rpm W210 E 50 AMG 1996-97
M119 E 60 5956 cc
(100.0 x 94.8)
280 kW at 5500 rpm 580 Nm at 3750 rpm W124 E 60 AMG 1993-94
R129 SL 60 AMG 1993-98
W210 E 60 AMG 1996-98
*Power output for the M119 E 50 engine was reduced to 235 kW (from 240 kW) due to the omission of full throttle enrichment.


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