Cheap Mercedes-Benz GLS Crankshaft

Yes — a crankshaft is a fundamental internal combustion engine component, and every GLS variant sold in the UK has one, whether it runs on petrol, diesel, or as a mild hybrid. Even the plug-in hybrid GLS 580e retains a combustion engine and therefore a crankshaft. There is no GLS variant that is fully electric, so no variant is without one.

The GLS X166 ran from 2016 to 2019, and the current X167 generation launched in 2020, so these are two distinct platforms with different engine families — a direct swap across that generation boundary is very unlikely. Even where an engine code appears similar between generations, internal dimensions and ancillary interfaces can differ. Share your engine code (found on your V5C or via a VIN check) with the breaker and ask them to cross-reference it against the donor vehicle's code before agreeing a sale. Never assume fitment across a generation change without confirmation.

Trim level itself does not determine crankshaft fitment — what matters is the engine code, which is tied to the engine variant rather than the trim name. An AMG Line GLS and a standard GLS sharing the same engine code, such as the OM656 diesel, will use the same crankshaft. The AMG 63 variants use a different engine (the M177 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8) and therefore a completely different crankshaft, but that is because the engine itself is different, not because of the AMG badge. Always quote your engine code to the breaker rather than your trim name.

No, diesel and petrol crankshafts are not interchangeable — they are engineered to different compression ratios, bore dimensions, and firing characteristics. For example, the OM656 diesel crankshaft used in the GLS 400d is entirely different from the M256 petrol crankshaft used in the GLS 450. Always confirm your fuel type and engine code with the breaker so they can source from a matching donor vehicle.

The GLS X166 generation ran from 2016 to 2019 without a mid-cycle facelift in the traditional sense, so a 2017 and 2019 GLS 350d are likely to share the same engine code (OM642 or OM654 depending on specification) and the same crankshaft. However, confirm with the breaker that both vehicles carry the identical engine code, as Mercedes did update engine variants within that production window. Quoting your exact engine code alongside your registration gives the breaker the best chance of confirming a match.

The single most useful piece of information is your engine code, which you can find on your V5C logbook or by running a VIN check — it tells the breaker exactly which engine family your GLS has, far more precisely than the model year or badge alone. Also state your fuel type and gearbox type (automatic or manual, though virtually all UK GLS models are automatic). The breaker will then match these details against the donor vehicle to confirm compatibility before you commit to a purchase.