Used Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cylinder Head

The W212 E-Class ran from 2009 to 2016, with a facelift in 2013, so a 2010 and a 2014 are both W212 generation but sit either side of that facelift boundary. Fitment depends almost entirely on whether both cars share the same engine code — check your V5 or run a VIN check to confirm yours, then ask the breaker to match it exactly. Whether ancillary fittings or mounting points changed across the 2013 facelift is something you should confirm with the breaker against your registration before buying.

The W211 ran from 2002 to 2009 and the W212 from 2009 to 2016 — these are entirely separate generations with different engine families, so a direct swap is very unlikely. Engine codes are the deciding factor, and even where a code looks similar across generations the block and head architecture often differ. Confirm the engine code from your V5 or a VIN check and share it with the breaker rather than relying on the model year alone.

Trim levels like Avantgarde, SE, Sport, and AMG Line are primarily cosmetic and equipment packages — they do not change the engine, so trim does not affect cylinder head fitment. What matters is that both vehicles share the same engine code; if they do, the head is mechanically the same regardless of which trim the donor car was. Bear in mind that breaker-supplied heads may come without trim-related ancillaries, and any cosmetic differences between donor and recipient cars are irrelevant to this part.

The engine code is the single most important detail for matching a cylinder head — it tells you the exact specification of the block and head, far more reliably than the year or badge. You can find it on your V5 registration document or by running a HPI or DVLA VIN check, and it is also sometimes stamped on the engine itself. Give the engine code directly to the breaker when requesting a quote and ask them to confirm the code on the donor unit before purchase.

No — petrol and diesel cylinder heads are completely different in design, combustion chamber shape, and porting, and they are not interchangeable under any circumstances. Always confirm the fuel type matches alongside the engine code when sourcing a used head. If you are unsure of your exact engine code, a VIN check will confirm both fuel type and the specific code you need.

Both years sit within the W211 generation (2002–2009), and if the engine codes match there is a reasonable chance of compatibility, but ancillary and mounting changes can occur mid-production even within the same generation. Confirm the engine code from your V5 and provide both the donor year and your registration to the breaker so they can check for any mid-cycle changes before supplying the part. Never assume fitment purely on shared generation — always verify with the breaker.