Used Mercedes-Benz CLE Drive Shaft

The Mercedes-Benz CLE (C236 coupe, C238 cabriolet) is a first-generation model launched in 2023, so there are currently no earlier CLE generations to cross-reference against. Drive shaft fitment within this generation depends primarily on engine code, gearbox type, and whether you need the nearside (NS) or offside (OS) shaft, so always match those details first. Confirm the exact part interchange with the breaker against your registration before buying.

The CLE 200 and CLE 300 are both petrol models but use different engine codes — the 200 uses the M254 four-cylinder in lower state of tune, while the 300 uses the same family at higher output — and drive shaft specifications can differ between these variants despite the shared platform. Engine code is the critical detail here, not the badge or displacement figure alone. Supply your engine code (found on your V5 or via a VIN check) to the breaker so they can confirm fitment against their donor vehicle.

Trim levels like AMG Line, Sport, and EQ Boost are primarily cosmetic or equipment-based designations and do not in themselves determine drive shaft fitment on the CLE. What actually matters is the engine code, gearbox type (all current CLE models use the 9G-Tronic automatic), and the drivetrain layout of both your car and the donor vehicle. You may find minor ancillary or bracket differences between builds, so confirm the specifics with the breaker against your registration.

No — the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive variants have a fundamentally different drivetrain layout compared to the standard rear-wheel-drive CLE, which means the driveshafts are not interchangeable between the two. Always confirm whether both the donor and recipient vehicles are RWD or 4MATIC before agreeing a purchase with the breaker. Mixing drivetrain types is one of the most common fitment errors on this type of part.

On the CLE the nearside (NS) is the left-hand side as you sit in the driver's seat and the offside (OS) is the right-hand side, and the two shafts are different parts, so ordering the wrong side is a straightforward and expensive mistake. Check your existing shaft for any stamped part numbers and tell the breaker which side has failed alongside your engine code and gearbox type. Providing your registration plate allows the breaker to cross-reference the donor vehicle accurately before dispatch.

The CLE shares platform elements with the latest C-Class (W206) and E-Class (W214) ranges, and in some configurations drivetrain components are related, but shaft length, spline count, and CV joint specifications can differ between models even with the same engine code. This is a route-to-breaker question — supply your engine code, gearbox type, drivetrain layout, and registration to the breaker and ask them to verify the part number against both the donor and your vehicle before you commit.