DRIVEDEX / Mercedes-Benz / E-Class
2012–2016
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
3.5L V6 (M276) M276 Sedan (W212)
Smooth NA V6, no turbo drama — engine mounts and the thermostat are the ownership tax.
Engine Oil
Viscosity‼
✓ verified
MB 229.51 low-SAPS also listed for the M276
src: MB BeVo 229.5 sheet + Motor Reviewer M276 specs
Capacity (with filter)
6.5 L✓ verified
Notably less than the old M272 — don't pour 8 quarts in
src: Owner's manual (per Benzworld) + Motor Reviewer M276
Oil filter
✓ verified
Match Mann/Hengst crosses to this OE number
src: Blauparts M276 kit + Pelican W221/W212 kit notes
Drain plug torque‼
— in verification queue
Being confirmed
Fluids
Transmission
✓ verified
src: FCP Euro 722.9 guide + Blauparts fitment
ATF spec & service‼
✓ verified
7G-Tronic Plus takes blue only; red MB 236.14 will damage it
src: FCP Euro 722.9 guide + Blauparts fluid guide
Coolant‼
◐ pending
Match what's in the reservoir — never mix blue and pink
src: Blauparts coolant guide + MB BeVo sheets
Brake fluid‼
✓ verified
src: MB BeVo 331.0 sheet + genuine fluid listings
Filters & Ignition
Engine air filter
◐ pending
Element count per airbox being confirmed — commonly listed in pairs for the V6
src: Parts fitment listings (2760940004)
Cabin filter
— in verification queue
Being confirmed — replace with Service B
Spark plugs
◐ pending
Supersedes SILZKFR8E7S / OE A 004 159 79 03 — verify by VIN; GDI plugs are indexed
src: NGK fitment listings (M276)
Electrical
Battery
— in verification queue
AGM where originally fitted — group/location being confirmed
Key fob battery
◐ pending
src: MB of Fresno key fob guide
Wheels & Wipers
Lug bolt torque‼
130 Nm✓ verified
Star pattern, two passes; re-check after ~50 km
src: Ricks Free Advice + Sparky X MB torque tables
Tire pressure
— in verification queue
Use the driver's door-jamb placard
Wiper blades
— in verification queue
Being confirmed
Service
Oil change interval
◐ pending
src: MB maintenance schedule (dealer guides)
Fuel
✓ verified
src: MBUSA fuel FAQ / owner's manual
Service reminder reset
— in verification queue
Being confirmed
🔧 Mechanic's Notes
- The fluid-filled engine mounts collapse on these — steering-wheel vibration at idle is the classic symptom, and doing both mounts (plus trans mount while you're there) runs real money. Check CARFAX for prior replacement.
- Thermostats stick open or closed: slow warm-up, erratic gauge, or overheating. It's a documented W212 pattern — cheap part, annoying symptoms.
- M276 timing chains can rattle for a moment on cold start when tensioner/guides wear — listen on a cold engine when inspecting, and don't let a persistent rattle ride.
- This 7G-Tronic Plus takes MB 236.15 blue fluid only, about every 70k. A shop that pours generic red ATF in has just bought you a transmission problem.
Field patterns from a working mechanic — diagnose your own car before buying parts.
Open Recalls
Checking NHTSA…
Other E-Class generations
Sources shown per value. Specs can vary by build date, market and trim — for anything critical (torque, fluids), confirm against YOUR owner's manual or door sticker before wrenching. Spotted an error? — corrections jump the queue.