Produced between 1991 and 2001, the 6.0-liter 12-cylinder Mercedes M120 E60 engine was fitted to vehicles like the SL-Class R129 roadster and the S-Class sedan and coupe in the 140th body. AMG developed its 7.0 and 7.3-liter power units based on this engine.
M120, M137, M275, and M279 are members of the V12 family.
Specifications
| Production years | 1991-2001 |
| Displacement, cc | 5987 (M 120 E 60) 7291 (M 120 E 73) |
| Fuel system | distributed injection |
| Power output, hp | 394 – 408 (M 120 E 60) 525 (M 120 E 73) |
| Torque output, Nm | 570 – 580 (M 120 E 60) 750 (M 120 E 73) |
| Cylinder block | aluminum V12 |
| Block head | aluminum 48v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 89 (M 120 E 60) 91.5 (M 120 E 73) |
| Piston stroke, mm | 80.2 (M 120 E 60) 92.4 (M 120 E 73) |
| Compression ratio | 10.0 (M 120 E 60) 10.5 (M 120 E 73) |
| Features | no |
| Hydraulic lifters | yes |
| Timing drive | double-row chain |
| Phase regulator | on the intake shafts |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-40 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 9.5 |
| Fuel type | petrol |
| Euro standards | EURO 2/3 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Mercedes S600 1994) — city — highway — combined |
20.7 11.8 15.4 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~300 000 |
| Weight, kg | 300 |
The engine was installed on:
- Mercedes CL-Class C140 in 1991 – 1998;
- Mercedes S-Class W140 in 1992 – 1998;
- Mercedes SL-Class R129 in 1992 – 2001.
Disadvantages of the M120 E60 engine
The gaskets of this hot motor rapidly collapse in the absence of cooling.
Grease then starts to seep through all the broken gaskets and seals.
The Bosch LH-jetronic control system causes owners a lot of headaches.
Even though the double-row chain appears strong, it can occasionally reach a distance of 150,000 kilometers.
However, the majority of grievances are related to excessive fuel usage and the high cost of replacement parts.