Mercedes-Benz Mercedes M159 Engine Specs

The Mercedes-AMG M159 is a naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine produced from 2006 to 2015, developed by Mercedes' AMG performance division exclusively for the SLS AMG, and one of the most celebrated naturally aspirated engines of the modern era - a genuine engineering statement built at a time when much of the wider industry was already moving toward smaller, turbocharged engines.

Producing 518hp and 630Nm of torque from a substantial 6,208cc, the M159 uses a DOHC 32-valve aluminum head with a dry-sump oiling system (essential given the SLS's high-lateral-g cornering capability) and a compression ratio of 11.3:1, resulting in a genuinely high-revving, characterful V8 that AMG hand-assembles at its Affalterbach facility, with each engine plaque signed by the individual technician responsible for its build - a level of craftsmanship rare in modern mass-produced engines.

Given the M159's exclusive use in the SLS AMG, a genuine modern supercar built in relatively limited numbers, ownership and maintenance context differ considerably from a mainstream Mercedes engine. Servicing should ideally be handled by AMG-trained specialists familiar with the dry-sump oiling system's specific requirements, including its separate oil tank and multiple scavenge pumps, quite different from a conventional wet-sump arrangement. Because the SLS is a low-volume, high-value car typically driven with real care by enthusiast owners, most surviving examples have accumulated relatively low mileage, and maintenance history tends to be well documented given the car's collector status. As with any high-output naturally aspirated engine of this size, oil quality and consistent servicing intervals remain the most important factor in long-term reliability, and the hand-built nature of each M159 engine makes verifying its full service and any warranty history particularly worthwhile before purchase. Given its status as one of the last great naturally aspirated AMG V8s before the brand's own move to twin-turbocharging, the M159 is likely to remain a particularly desirable engine among collectors for years to come, which is worth factoring into any long-term ownership or resale expectations.