Used Mercedes-Benz GLE Radiator

The GLE spans two clear generations: the W166 ran from 2015 to 2019, and the all-new W167 launched for 2020, bringing a completely different platform and engine lineup. A radiator from a 2016 W166 will not cross over to a 2020 W167, so you need a donor car from the correct generation. Always confirm the exact fit with the breaker against your registration to be certain.

Yes, engine code is the primary factor for radiator fitment, and the 250d and 350d use different engines — a four-cylinder OM651 versus a six-cylinder OM642 respectively — so their cooling requirements and radiator specifications differ. Even within the same W166 generation and the same year, you should quote your engine code to the breaker rather than just the badge. Your engine code appears on your V5C or can be retrieved via a VIN check.

Trim level alone does not affect radiator fitment; the radiator follows the engine code, not the trim badge. An AMG Line and a Sport model sharing the same engine and gearbox will take the same radiator, though the breaker's donor car may have slightly different ancillary brackets or cooling system pipework depending on optional equipment fitted — worth a quick check. What matters is matching engine code, fuel type, and gearbox type, so lead with those details when contacting a breaker.

The W166 GLE received a facelift for the 2019 model year, which brought revised front-end styling and some mechanical updates. Whether the radiator changed at that facelift point is not something to assume either way — confirm with the breaker against your registration number, as ancillary and mounting changes mid-production are exactly the kind of detail individual dismantlers can verify against the specific donor vehicle they hold. Giving the breaker your full VIN gives them the best chance of matching correctly.

Fuel type directly affects the engine code, and different engines have different cooling demands, so diesel and petrol radiators are not interchangeable even within the same generation and year. For example, a W166 GLE 350d diesel and a GLE 400 petrol use entirely different engines and will need their own matching radiators. Always specify your fuel type and engine code when requesting a quote from a breaker.

Both sit within the W166 generation (2015–2019), so the core engine architecture is shared, which is a promising starting point. However, whether the radiator itself interchanges across the pre- and post-facelift boundary — including any bracket or mounting changes — is something you should confirm with the breaker against your specific registration, as mid-production changes can affect ancillary fittings even when the engine code matches. Provide your engine code, gearbox type, and build date to give the breaker the best chance of confirming a clean swap.