The Mercedes-Benz M111 E18 engine is a reliable 1.8-liter unit that was installed in compact class models such as the Mercedes-Benz C180 (W202). Produced from 1993 to 2000, this engine became popular due to its durability, economy and ease of maintenance.
Main characteristics of the M111 engine
| Characteristics | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Stuttgart-Untertürkheim Plant |
| Engine make | M111 |
| Years of production | 1993-2000 |
| Cylinder block material | Cast iron |
| Power system | Injector |
| Type | Ready |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 78.7 |
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 85.3 |
| Compression ratio | 9.8 |
| Engine displacement, cc | 1799 |
| Engine power, hp / rpm | 122 / 5500 |
| Torque, Nm/rpm | 170 / 3700 |
| Fuel | 95 |
| Environmental regulations | Euro 3 |
| Oil consumption, gr./1000 km | up to 1000 |
| Oil volume in the engine, l | 5.5 |
| Oil volume at oil change, l | ~5.0 |
| Oil change is carried out, km | 7000-10000 |
| Engine operating temperature, °C | ~90 |
| Engine life, thousand km | – (according to the factory data) |
| 300+ (in practice) | |
| Application | Mercedes-Benz C180 (W202) |
M111 engine features
1. Durable construction
The cast iron cylinder block provides high wear resistance and durability, allowing the M111 engine to withstand high mileage without major overhaul.
2. Economy and Power
With 122 hp, the engine demonstrates a good balance between dynamics and fuel consumption. Its 170 Nm of torque is available as early as 3700 rpm, which ensures a confident driving behavior in urban and suburban conditions.
3. Environmental compliance
Euro 3 compliance makes the engine environmentally acceptable for its time, although emissions are no longer up to date by today’s standards.
4. Ease of maintenance
The engine is unpretentious in operation. It is recommended to change oil every 7-10 thousand km, using oils with viscosity 5W-40 or 10W-40, with a volume of about 5.0 liters at each change.
Application and popularity
The M111 E18 engine was installed in the Mercedes-Benz C180 (W202), which became a popular choice in the 1990s due to its reliability, affordability and quality performance. The M111 has proven itself as a reliable unit for everyday use.
Mercedes M111 E18 1.8 engine arrangement and repair
Another younger version of inline fours in the M111 family (it includes M111 E20, M111 E22 and M111 E23), appeared in 1993 and replaced the M102 E18. Unlike its obsolete predecessor, the new engine was based on the cylinder block from the M111 E20, but with smaller diameter cylinders for 85.3 mm pistons (they were 89.9 mm). Otherwise, the engine is similar to its two-liter counterpart. The cylinder head is 16-valve with two camshafts (DOHC), there are hydrocompensators and electronic fuel injection. Diameters of inlet valves, relative to the M111 E20, are reduced to 33 mm (were 35 mm), exhaust valves to 29 mm (were 31 mm). A chain with a service life of about 250 thousand kilometers is used in the timing drive.
This power unit was available in two variants: M111.920 and M111.921.
The injection and ignition control system on the M111.920 is Bosch PMS, on the M111.920 version – Bosch HFM.
The engine was produced until 2000, when it was discontinued and a new M271 E18 ML engine was introduced two years later.
Mercedes M111 E18 engine problems and disadvantages
- Lubricant leaks will give you the most problems, and their number increases with mileage
- The DMRV has a modest resource, with its breakdown increases fuel consumption
- Before 100,000 kilometers in the engine almost always begins to leak water pump
- From 100 to 200 thousand kilometers piston skirts often wear out or the exhaust cracks
- After 200 to 250 thousand kilometers, the oil pump or timing chain already requires attention.
M111 E18 engine tuning
Compressor
In tuning the engine M111 E18 there is the only true and really increasing power way, it is to buy a contract engine Mercedes V6 and weld it instead of 1.8 liter four. This step will save money and get significant power without sacrificing resource. Extremely dim alternative to such radical steps, can be chip tuning with the replacement of the exhaust and installation of a reduced resistance filter, which will provide about 10 additional horsepower.
MOTOR RATING: 4+