Second Hand Mercedes-Benz ML Intercooler

Only the turbocharged diesel and turbocharged petrol variants of the ML have an intercooler — naturally aspirated petrol engines (such as the earlier V6 and V8 petrol units) do not use one. The ML range has always been predominantly diesel in the UK, so most examples you encounter will have an intercooler fitted, but it is worth confirming your engine type before searching. Check your V5 or run a VIN check to identify your exact engine code, as that tells you definitively whether an intercooler is part of your drivetrain.

The ML ran across three main generations: the W163 (1997–2005), the W164 (2005–2011), and the W166 (2011–2019, with a facelift in 2015). The intercooler is generation-specific and will not cross between these platforms, so a W164 unit will not fit a W166 and vice versa. Always identify which generation you have before ordering, and supply your engine code to the breaker to narrow it down further within that generation.

The W166 facelift arrived in 2015, and while the core generation is the same, ancillary components and mounting points can change at a facelift boundary. The engine codes on both sides of the 2015 update are your primary guide — if the codes match, fitment is more likely, but you should confirm with the breaker against your specific registration to be certain of any mid-production mounting or pipework changes.

Trim level — whether Sport, AMG Line, SE, or any other grade — does not affect intercooler fitment on the ML. The intercooler is determined by the engine code, not the badge on the tailgate. You may find cosmetic differences in ancillary brackets or heat shielding depending on the specific build, but the breaker will cross-reference your engine code rather than your trim to find the right part.

The ML320 CDI and ML350 CDI in the W164 generation use different engine codes (the 320 CDI typically runs the OM642 and the 350 CDI also uses a version of the OM642, but displacement and tune variants differ), so the intercooler may or may not be the same unit. Provide your exact engine code from the V5 or a VIN check to the breaker, as that is the definitive way to confirm whether the cores and pipework connections are compatible — do not rely on the badge alone.

No — the W163 (1997–2005) and W164 (2005–2011) are entirely different platforms with different engines, mounting arrangements, and pipework layouts, so parts will not interchange between them. The W163 diesel variants used earlier engine families that are not shared with the W164's OM642-based units. Source a W163-specific intercooler and give the breaker your engine code to ensure an accurate match.