Cheap Mercedes-Benz CLS Cylinder Head

The CLS W219 ran from 2004 to 2010, while the W218 replaced it from 2011 to 2018 (with a facelift in 2014), and these are distinct generations with different engine families, so a head from a W219 will not simply swap into a W218. The engine code is what really matters here – even within a generation, different engine codes mean different head castings. Always quote your engine code (found on your V5 or via a VIN check) to the breaker so they can match it precisely.

The W218 CLS was facelifted in 2014, and while many engines carried across that boundary, there can be ancillary and mounting differences that affect whether a head from a 2011–2013 car will drop straight into a 2014–2018 car. The engine code is the most reliable starting point – if both cars share the same code, there is a strong chance of compatibility, but you should confirm any mid-production changes directly with the breaker against your registration before buying.

Trim level does not affect cylinder head fitment – AMG Line, Sport, and other trim designations are primarily about cosmetics and equipment rather than the engine itself. What matters is your engine code, fuel type, and gearbox type, not which badge is on the bootlid. Be aware that a head sourced from a different trim level may come with slightly different ancillaries attached, so discuss with the breaker exactly what is included.

The badge number on a CLS broadly indicates engine displacement, but what really determines cylinder head compatibility is the specific engine code stamped on the block, not the number on the back of the car. A CLS 350 and a CLS 400 use different engine families and will not share a head, and even two cars wearing the same badge but built in different years may carry different engine codes. Pull your engine code from the V5 or a VIN check and give it to the breaker – that single detail will tell them whether a head from their stock fits your car.

In most cases the gearbox type does not directly change the cylinder head specification, but some engine variants were offered in both manual and automatic form with subtle differences, so it is worth mentioning whether your car is an automatic or manual when speaking to the breaker. The engine code remains the primary guide, but giving the breaker the full picture – engine code, fuel type, gearbox, and year – helps them rule out any edge-case variations and avoid sending you the wrong part.

No – petrol and diesel cylinder heads are completely different in design, compression ratio, and often physical dimensions, so they are not interchangeable under any circumstances. Make sure you tell the breaker your exact fuel type alongside your engine code, as a diesel CLS and a petrol CLS of the same year can look identical from the outside but require entirely different heads.