AMG M113K VS M156 Showdown

In this video review, I will compare the Mercedes-AMG M156 6.3 engine to the M113K 5.5 Kompressor engine and see which is best. I will look at technology & design, sound, performance, and reliability before concluding with which of these two engines is best in my opinion. The M156 was in cars like the C63, E63, and CLK63 while the M113k was in the E55 and SL55.

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[balticsupraturbospeed]

I’ve owned both. Here is my completely unbiased opinion. Owned a 2014 C63 in Steel Gray, sexiest color for that car with some black 507 accents. The sound was unparalleled, had Mike’s Power Pipe replacing the secondaries and resonator and the thing just sounded like a PISSED off lion roaring. It legit scared the hell out of people on cold startups and down blips. The power was perfect and much more linear, though had some violent grunts to it on a nice 2nd gear goose. Amazing motor, the M156 was certainly go down as not only one of the best sounding NA V8 motors ever produced by any manufacturer, but the intrinsic characteristics of that motor are made out of pure automotive engineering genius.

I am on my third 2006 E55 as my daily driver. Yes, you read it right, third E55. My only two regrets in 39 years is selling my first E55, then selling my second one. Only two regrets. The M113K is hands down the pinnacle of AMG engineering in my sincerest humble opinion. Every thing this motor does is done with with perfectionist ideals. The low end torque is intoxicating, and legendary. And in 2003 when they were first released, was mind boggling power from a four door family sedan. There was no competition for that motor in a family hauler. Period. I never forget the faces of that Vette owner or loud Mustang that pulls up thinking “I’m gonna dog this AMG” and I walked away. There isn’t much that compares to ear to ear grin the M113K motor does, especially with a smaller pulley, headers, and tune. It surprises SO many people. It’s reliable and you can beat on it daily- I know countless M113K owners that are well over 250K miles and going strong. It is a godly motor that will go down as AMG legend. It’ll be talked about more than just about the best motors ever produced to date and in the future…

Both King Kong motors!

And for what it’s worth, I sold my 2014 C63 for my current 2006 E55 …

[viscountslappy]

This is the kind of automotive content YouTube needs. No bs, just information

[NotFarmerFlats]

That oil pump whine on the M113 makes me feel like I'm at home... I love those motors.

[DrivenByEG]

From owning both a C63 and now an E55, there's nothing that can replicate the sound of the M156, but nothing beats the power that the M113K makes (also better reliability FTW!)

[UpsideDownFork]

The M156 has the insane exhaust sound but the M113K has the amazing supercharger sound.
The real world driveability of the M113K is unparalleled and it's known as the most reliable performance engine of the modern era.

[chadwickmonard]

I have an n54 335i fbo, a f15 x5 with the twin turbo V8, stock, and just bought a 04 s55amg to daily. Every car I have has over 400hp ( 400 motor hp... Each might have over 400 wheel also 🤷🏿‍♂️) the Benz is pretty much the slowest of the 3. But it's such a great engine, it has turned me from a BMW guy to a Benz guy. The craziest part about the s55amg is it handles about as good as my 335i. My 335i has coilovers, aftermarket control arms, aftermarket sway bars, M3 pieces also. The ABC suspension along with m113k made me a believer. BMW doesn't even look good to me anymore. Glad I lucked up on finding this gem!

[carmelothegoat]

M156 takes the cake for me. Its just so unique and legendary theres just no other choice

[afben]

Am I the only person that loves the oil pump noise?

[GreenRanger]

I love the M113 from my CLK55. It doesn’t have the power of the M113K, or the DOHC design of the M156, but it has reliability even beyond both.

[HotMike]

My MB mechanic, after telling him I'm thinking of getting an AMG, excitedly recommended the reliability of the M112, M113 and M113K engines, full🛑.

[mateosz]

The M113k is just phenomenal. I have it in my 2010 G55 AMG, on and off road it sounds amazing and performs beautifully.

[kiasax]

My M113k has the best reliability of any car engine I have ever owned, and I have owned quite a few of them over the years. Everything from big American V8s to European engines that run the gamut from the Mercedes V8 I have now through Porsche 6s, turbocharged Saab 4s, and everything in between. Out of them all, my Mercedes M113k is undoubtedly the best, and I have been waiting for a very long time to own and enjoy this superb engine. From where I sit, in the driver's seat, this engine is especially great after it has been supercharged by the wizards at AMG. I have never found a performance engine that puts out the horsepower and torque this M113k engine does with the reliability that makes it entirely trustworthy. With an M113k sitting in my favourite body style, the CL 55 AMG, makes a winning combination for me that I have been searching for since the year 2000 when I first saw the Formula 1 safety car. Locating a low mileage example with a complete service history has taken me nearly a quarter of a century but was ultimately worth all of my efforts. My car is fabulous with all of the power and beauty I could ever require from an automobile. I hope anyone reading this is as fortunate as I have been and can attain their own automotive dreams. Safe driving to you all!

[always-shaiva]

I believed to be one of the lucky people to buy a 2005 S55 AMG in black color. I bought this car almost 5 months back and it clocked only 46500 total miles. After purchase I changed engine oil, all belts, transmission oil + filter, ABC oil. It is always a MONSTER. Everybody makes way for me whenever I am on the road. When I hit the throttle it always put a smile on my face. Also, a great pride when people stare at your car :-) I love this M113K. When finalized to buy an AMG I was only looking for this engine. Almost after hunting one and half months I got this gem. Only go for this M113K engines brothers..!!

[biigamg]

Absolutely love my N/A M113 5.4. May not be supercharged but she sounds so good, makes some brutal power too. And such a beast of a car.

[malloymotorsports]

17yr Mercedes-Benz master technician here, the M156 is by far the biggest POS engine MB has ever put out. yeah it makes great power n/a, but from a reliabity stand point, just terrible, broken cams, camshaft adjuster sprocket pins shearing off, broken head bolts, magnesium intake rotting away over time, fuel injectors staying open, oil in the engine harness, and the list goes on... made a lot of money on them when they were under warranty. M113K is a beast and probably the best engine to come out out Germany other than the M104.

[AJC]

I’d have to go m113k all the time. When I was young and broke, the e55 was my dream car but cost much. Now, I own one as my daily driver and it’s perfect. Space for four plus luggage, comfy seats, excellent hvac … and more power than anyone ever needs on the street.
Mine is a very early car and she turns 20 in January 2023. Powertrain is still like new.

[jenschristianschmidt]

I have a W204 C63 AMG performance from 2013. Had the car since 2016. Only a single owner before me. I have had one issue (light bulb change). Other than that service every year at Mercedes in my home town. Not a single beat was missed in my 6 years of ownership. I only drive small trips all the time. When the engine oil is 100 degrees celcius, I give it FULL beans every time I drive. Oil change every 2000 km.

[portuguesepetrolhead]

As wonderful as the M156 sounds, the M113K indeed is the best one in the real world. It's impossible to ignore the torque-based effortless performance it delivers, and which fits a Merc. And, nevertheless, it also produces quite nice sounds as well.

[dashii]

As an e55 owner the biggest thing that bothers me about the 13k is the operation noise. My car is very healthy and well maintained but it’s just very clicky and whirry at idle. I’ve gotten better now that I’ve owned the car for a while, but I used to always freak out that something was wrong, especially the loud oil pump on startup. Very impressive how quiet the m156 is at idle.

[Mikrrii]

When you get used to M113K's torque and then try any M156 (in my case 2010 E63) they just feel soooo underpowered compare to M113K in my E55. Yes its shifts way better with 7G, yes the sounds is stupid good, and yes the car overall is better but when you really push tuned E55 its ridiculous how powerful that car can be.I love M156 but for adrenalin rush E55 is just better...