Mercedes M278 vs Range Rover V8 (AJ133): Reliability Comparison
Common Failure Points & Costs
| Component | Failure Mileage | Symptom | Est. Cost (USD) | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timing Chain Issues | 60k - 100k miles | M278: Check valves/tensioners. AJ133: Guide wear/slack. | Mercedes: $3k - $5k | Range Rover: $5k - $8k | High |
| Piston/Cylinder Health | 80k+ miles | M278: Scoring risk (Fatal). AJ133: Generally robust liners. | Mercedes: $15k+ (Engine) | Range Rover: N/A | Critical |
| Cooling System | 50k - 70k miles | M278: Turbo lines leak. AJ133: Valley pipes burst. | Mercedes: $1,500 | Range Rover: $2,500 | High |
| Induction System | 100k miles | M278: Turbo wastegates/seals. AJ133: S/C Isolator rattle. | Mercedes: $4,000 (Turbos) | Range Rover: $1,200 (Snout) | Medium |
Reliability Verdict
The Mercedes M278 is a 'silent killer'—it runs beautifully until it scores a cylinder or leaks oil into the wiring harness. The Range Rover AJ133 is a 'loud killer'—it rattles (chains) and smells (coolant). The AJ133 is higher maintenance, but the M278 has a higher risk of total engine write-off due to Alusil scoring.
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Mercedes M278 vs Range Rover 5.0 SC (AJ133): The V8 Showdown
You are buying a used luxury flagship. You want a V8. You are looking at a Mercedes S550 / GL550 (M278 Engine) and a Range Rover Supercharged / Sport (AJ133 Engine).
Both are depreciated titans. Both are fast. Both have terrifying reputations. Which one will bankrupt you first?
This guide compares the Mercedes M278 4.7L Twin-Turbo V8 against the Jaguar Land Rover 5.0L Supercharged V8.
1. Engine Architecture
| Feature | Mercedes M278 | Range Rover AJ133 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | 4.7L Twin-Turbo V8 | 5.0L Supercharged V8 |
| Induction | Turbos (Lag, then torque) | Supercharger (Instant torque) |
| Block | Alusil (Silicon-Aluminum) | Aluminum with Iron Liners |
| Injection | Direct Injection | Spray-Guided Direct Injection |
| Common Cars | S550, CLS550, GL550, E550 | Range Rover, Sport, F-Type, XJ |
The Key Difference: The M278 uses Alusil cylinder walls (the aluminum is the wall). The AJ133 uses cast-in iron liners. This single difference dictates the long-term survival of the block.
2. The Catastrophic Failure Points
Mercedes M278: Cylinder Scoring (The Silent Death)
The M278’s Alusil coating can degrade. The piston rings drag against the raw aluminum.
- Result: Scored cylinder walls. Loss of compression. Engine is trash.
- Risk: Moderate to High (increases with mileage/poor maintenance).
- Cost: $15,000 - $20,000 (Full engine replacement. You cannot bore it out).
Range Rover AJ133: Timing Chains & Cooling Pipes
The AJ133 doesn’t usually destroy its own block. It destroys the plastic attached to it.
- Timing Chains: The guides wear out (Pre-2015).
- Cooling Pipes: They burst in the valley.
- Risk: 100% (It will happen).
- Cost: $6,000 (Chains) + $2,500 (Pipes).
Verdict: The Range Rover issues are repairable. The Mercedes issue is terminal.
3. Ongoing Maintenance & Annoyances
Mercedes M278
- Oil in Harness: Cam sensors leak oil into the wiring harness. It wicks up to the ECU and destroys the computer. ($3,000 fix).
- Turbo Coolant Lines: Plastic lines crack. ($1,500 fix).
- Timing Check Valves: Early models rattle. TSB fix required.
Range Rover AJ133
- Supercharger Snout: Isolator rattles. ($1,000 fix).
- Water Pumps: Leaks every 40k miles. ($800 fix).
- Injectors: Seize in the head. ($3,000 fix).
4. Driving Experience
- Mercedes M278: Effortless, quiet wave of torque. The turbos mute the sound. It feels like a relentless shove. Great for Autobahn cruising.
- Range Rover AJ133: Violent, loud, theatrical. The supercharger whine + distinct V8 exhaust note. Throttle response is instant. It feels like a muscle car engine in a tuxedo.
Winner: AJ133. It has more character.
5. Which One Should You Buy?
The Case for Mercedes (M278)
Buy the Mercedes (S550/GL550) if you want a smoother daily driver and you plan to verify the engine health with a compression test before buying. 2015+ models are generally reliable if they don’t score.
The Case for Range Rover (AJ133)
Buy the Range Rover if you want character and you are willing to perform preventative maintenance.
- If you replace the cooling pipes with aluminum and verify the timing chains (or buy a 2016+), the AJ133 is actually a very durable block. The iron liners make it far more resistant to piston scuffing than the Mercedes.
Final Verdict:
- Reliability Winner: Mercedes M278 (Marginally, due to fewer external leaks).
- Longevity Winner: Range Rover AJ133 (The block outlasts the M278 block).
- Wallet Winner: Neither. Buy a Lexus LX570.
Expert Buying Advice
If you want a car you can fix for $3k every 2 years, buy the Range Rover (post-2015). If you want a car that might run 150k miles with nothing OR might blow up tomorrow, buy the Mercedes. We slightly prefer the AJ133 for DIYers due to lack of bore scoring risk.