Used Mercedes-Benz G-Class Air Flow Meter

Yes, the G-Class has used mass air flow (MAF) meters across its long production run, but only on petrol engine variants that use this type of induction measurement — diesel variants of the G-Class generally do not use a MAF sensor in the same way, relying instead on a boost pressure and air temperature sensor setup. If your G-Class is a diesel (for example a 270 CDI or 320 CDI), the part you may actually be looking for is a boost pressure sensor or air temperature sensor rather than a MAF meter. Confirm your fuel type and engine code before searching to make sure you're requesting the right component.

The G-Class W463 generation ran from 1989 through to 2018, so both a 2005 and a 2012 car sit within the same broad generation body — however, Mercedes-Benz made significant engine and management system updates across that span, including the mid-2000s move to newer V8 and straight-six units with different ECU calibrations. The engine code is the critical factor here: if both vehicles share the same engine code (for example M113 or M272), there is a much stronger chance of compatibility, but you should confirm the specific part number and any mid-production ancillary changes directly with the breaker against your registration before purchasing.

The trim or badge designation (G350, G500, G55 AMG and so on) does indicate different engine variants on the G-Class, so in this case it does matter — not because of the trim itself, but because different badges correspond to entirely different engines and therefore different MAF sensors. A G500 with the M113 V8 will require a different air flow meter to a G350 with a straight-six petrol engine. Always cross-reference the engine code from your V5 or a VIN check rather than relying on the badge alone, and provide that code to the breaker.

The G55 AMG used a supercharged V8 petrol engine (engine code M113K in later form), and supercharged petrol engines do use a mass air flow meter as part of their engine management — so yes, this variant does have one. However, the AMG-specific engine management setup means the sensor specification may differ from the standard G500 even if the base engine family looks similar, so you should supply the full engine code and registration to the breaker rather than assuming cross-compatibility with a non-AMG unit.

The W464 generation launched in 2018 as a substantially re-engineered vehicle with new engine families and updated management systems, so its air flow meters are very unlikely to be directly compatible with the outgoing W463 even where engine displacements look similar on paper. These two generations represent a firm boundary for this type of mechanical and electronic component, and crossing that boundary is something you must confirm with the breaker against both registrations rather than assume. Provide the engine code for both vehicles if you are exploring this swap.

It is possible that the G-Class shares an engine code with other Mercedes-Benz models from the same era — for instance, the M113 V8 appeared in several W-series vehicles — and where the engine code, management system, and part number match exactly, a MAF sensor from another model may be compatible. However, ECU pairing, sensor calibration, and any immobiliser or coding requirements are things you must confirm with the breaker rather than take as given, as these vary and cannot be guaranteed from the outside. Always supply your full engine code and registration to the breaker and ask them to verify the part number before buying.