Mercedes M-Class AMG: which version to buy
If you are choosing a Mercedes M-Class AMG rather than reading a model history, the catalogue has six AMG versions in five production windows from 2000-01-01 to 2015-12-31, all SUV 5-doors, all AWD, all Automatic.
If you are choosing a Mercedes M-Class AMG rather than reading a model history, the catalogue has six AMG versions in five production windows from 2000-01-01 to 2015-12-31, all SUV 5-doors, all AWD, all Automatic. The buying split is three engines named exactly as in the database: 5.4 AT (347 hp) in generation 1, 6.2 AT (510 hp) in generation 2, and two 5.5 AT versions in generation 3 — 525 hp and 558 hp. The 558 hp 5.5 AT is the strongest (558 hp, 760 Nm, 4.7 s to 100 km/h, 4.20 kg per hp). The 2000–2001 5.4 AT is the lightest (2060 kg). Generation 3 combined fuel use is 11.8 L/100 km versus 16.5 L/100 km on the 2008–2011 6.2 AT — 4.7 L/100 km less. There are no sale prices in this dataset.
Mercedes M-Class AMG generations: what each generation changed
Generation 1 (2000–2005), including restyling. Body: SUV 5-doors. Two catalogue versions, both named 5.4 AT, both 347 hp / 255 kW, both 5439 cm³ Gasoline V-shaped 8 with 3 valves per cylinder, boost No, 5-speed Automatic, AWD, 6.9 s, 235 km/h. The 2000-01-01 to 2001-12-31 car kerb weight is 2060 kg, ground clearance 193 mm. The 2001-01-01 to 2005-12-31 restyling keeps the same 5.4 AT power and 6.9 s / 235 km/h, but kerb weight rises 240 kg to 2300 kg and clearance falls 13 mm to 180 mm. Payload falls from 690 kg (2750 − 2060) to 570 kg (2870 − 2300). Same engine, heavier SUV: 6.63 kg/hp after restyling versus 5.94 kg/hp before.
Generation 2 (2006–2011), including restyling. Body: SUV 5-doors. Two catalogue versions, both named 6.2 AT, both 510 hp / 375 kW at 6800 rpm, 630 Nm at 5200 rpm, 6208 cm³ Gasoline V-shaped 8, 4 valves per cylinder, boost No, 7-speed Automatic, AWD, 5.0 s, 250 km/h. Versus generation 1 that is +163 hp, +120 Nm, +0.769 L displacement, +2 gears, −1.9 s to 100 km/h, +15 km/h top speed. The 2006-01-01 to 2008-12-31 6.2 AT uses 95 fuel, independent spring suspension, 23.1 / 12.2 / 16.1 L/100 km, tank 95 L. The 2008-01-01 to 2011-12-31 restyling 6.2 AT keeps 510 hp and 5.0 s, switches fuel to 98, suspension to independent pneumatic, and uses 24.1 / 12.2 / 16.5 L/100 km — city +1.0 L/100 km, combined +0.4 L/100 km versus the pre-restyle 6.2 AT. Kerb 2310 kg, gross 2880 kg, clearance 200 mm on both generation-2 cars. Weight per hp: 2310 / 510 = 4.53 kg/hp (better than restyled generation 1 at 6.63).
Generation 3 (2012–2015). Body: SUV 5-doors. Two versions, both named 5.5 AT, both 5461 cm³ Gasoline V-shaped 8, 4 valves, Turbo, front longitudinal, direct injection (direct), compression 10, bore/stroke 98 × 90.5, 98 fuel, 7-speed Automatic, AWD, 250 km/h, 15.7 / 9.6 / 11.8 L/100 km, tank 93 L, CO2 199 g/km, Euro 5, kerb 2345 kg, gross 3050 kg, clearance 200 mm, independent spring, ventilated disc front, Disc ventilated rear. Difference is only output and how it is delivered: 5.5 AT 525 hp / 386 kW at 6800 rpm and 700 Nm at 5200 rpm (4.8 s); 5.5 AT 558 hp / 410 kW at 5750 rpm and 760 Nm at 2000–5000 rpm (4.7 s). Same kerb, same consumption, +33 hp, +60 Nm, −0.1 s. Versus generation-2 6.2 AT, generation 3 is smaller in displacement (−747 cm³) yet stronger (+15 hp on 525, +48 hp on 558) because boost is Turbo instead of No.
The dataset lists 5 generation keys and 6 modifications. Restylings are counted inside generation 1 and generation 2, not as extra generations.
Mercedes ML AMG engine and specs
What engine does a Mercedes AMG have in this M-Class line? Only the three names below. Cylinder count and layout are taken from the data (8, V-shaped), not from outside labels.
| Version | Years | hp (kW @ rpm) | Nm @ rpm | cm³ | Fuel | Cyl. / layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4 AT 347 hp | 2000–2001 | 347 (255 @ 5500) | 510 @ 2800–4500 | 5439 | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped, 3 valves | No | Automatic 5 | AWD |
| 5.4 AT 347 hp | 2001–2005 restyling | 347 (255 @ 5500) | 510 @ 2800–4500 | 5439 | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped, 3 valves | No | Automatic 5 | AWD |
| 6.2 AT 510 hp | 2006–2008 | 510 (375 @ 6800) | 630 @ 5200 | 6208 | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped, 4 valves | No | Automatic 7 | AWD |
| 6.2 AT 510 hp | 2008–2011 restyling | 510 (375 @ 6800) | 630 @ 5200 | 6208 | Gasoline, 98 | 8, V-shaped, 4 valves | No | Automatic 7 | AWD |
| 5.5 AT 525 hp | 2011–2015 (gen. 3) | 525 (386 @ 6800) | 700 @ 5200 | 5461 | Gasoline, 98 | 8, V-shaped, 4 valves | Turbo | Automatic 7 | AWD |
| 5.5 AT 558 hp | 2011–2015 (gen. 3) | 558 (410 @ 5750) | 760 @ 2000–5000 | 5461 | Gasoline, 98 | 8, V-shaped, 4 valves | Turbo | Automatic 7 | AWD |
Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 5.4 AT 347 / 5.439 = 63.8 hp/L; 6.2 AT 510 / 6.208 = 82.2 hp/L; 5.5 AT 525 / 5.461 = 96.1 hp/L; 5.5 AT 558 / 5.461 = 102.2 hp/L. Torque per litre: 93.8, 101.5, 128.2, 139.2 Nm/L in the same order. Generation 3 5.5 AT 558 hp makes 38.4 hp more per litre than generation 1 5.4 AT.
Injection: 5.4 AT and both 6.2 AT use distributed injection (multi-point). Both 5.5 AT use direct injection (direct). Compression: 10.5 (5.4 AT), 11.3 (6.2 AT), 10 (5.5 AT). Bore × stroke: 97 × 92 (5.4 AT), 102.2 × 94.6 (6.2 AT), 98 × 90.5 (5.5 AT). Engine location on every version: Front, longitudinal.
“AMG kit” is not a row in this catalogue. These six lines are complete AMG powertrains (hp, Nm, gearbox, AWD), not a body-kit option with unspecified output.
Performance, mpg, and what the extra output buys
0–100 km/h: 5.4 AT 6.9 s; both 6.2 AT 5.0 s (−1.9 s); 5.5 AT 525 hp 4.8 s (−0.2 s vs 6.2 AT); 5.5 AT 558 hp 4.7 s (−0.1 s vs the other 5.5 AT, −2.2 s vs 5.4 AT). The last 33 hp buy one tenth of a second, not a new drivetrain.
Top speed: 235 km/h on both 5.4 AT; 250 km/h on both 6.2 AT and both 5.5 AT (+15 km/h from generation 1 to later cars). Generation 3 does not raise the 250 km/h figure versus generation 2.
Fuel consumption (city / highway / combined, L/100 km):
- 5.4 AT (both generation-1 windows): 19.8 / 11.1 / 14.3
- 6.2 AT 2006–2008: 23.1 / 12.2 / 16.1
- 6.2 AT 2008–2011: 24.1 / 12.2 / 16.5
- 5.5 AT (525 hp and 558 hp): 15.7 / 9.6 / 11.8
Generation 3 combined is 4.3 L/100 km below generation 1 (14.3 − 11.8) and 4.7 L/100 km below restyled generation 2 (16.5 − 11.8). City: 5.5 AT uses 8.4 L/100 km less than restyled 6.2 AT (24.1 − 15.7). Highway: 2.6 L/100 km less (12.2 − 9.6). The 525 hp and 558 hp 5.5 AT share the same 15.7 / 9.6 / 11.8 — extra 33 hp is not paid in this consumption table.
Range from tank ÷ combined × 100 (arithmetic on given tank and combined): 5.5 AT 93 / 11.8 × 100 ≈ 788 km; 5.4 AT 93 / 14.3 × 100 ≈ 650 km; 6.2 AT 2006–2008 95 / 16.1 × 100 ≈ 590 km; 6.2 AT 2008–2011 95 / 16.5 × 100 ≈ 576 km. Largest tank is 95 L on 6.2 AT; shortest implied combined range is still that 6.2 AT because 16.5 L/100 km dominates the extra 2 L of tank versus generation 3.
CO2 and eco class: 5.5 AT both 199 g/km, Euro 5. 6.2 AT and 5.4 AT: CO2 not measured, eco class not measured.
2015 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML 63 AMG 4MATIC reliability / are Mercedes AMG reliable: reliability, workshop life, and sale listings are not measured in this dataset. Do not treat silence as “no problems.”
Dimensions, weight, ground clearance, tank, wheels
Wheel sizes: not measured on every version.
| Version | Kerb kg | Gross kg | Payload kg (gross − kerb) | Clearance mm | Tank L | kg per hp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4 AT 2000–2001 | 2060 | 2750 | 690 | 193 | 93 | 5.94 |
| 5.4 AT 2001–2005 | 2300 | 2870 | 570 | 180 | 93 | 6.63 |
| 6.2 AT 2006–2008 | 2310 | 2880 | 570 | 200 | 95 | 4.53 |
| 6.2 AT 2008–2011 | 2310 | 2880 | 570 | 200 | 95 | 4.53 |
| 5.5 AT 525 hp | 2345 | 3050 | 705 | 200 | 93 | 4.47 |
| 5.5 AT 558 hp | 2345 | 3050 | 705 | 200 | 93 | 4.20 |
Lightest AMG M-Class here is generation 1 5.4 AT at 2060 kg. Heaviest is generation 3 5.5 AT at 2345 kg (+285 kg vs 2000–2001). Highest payload is generation 3 (705 kg), then 2000–2001 5.4 AT (690 kg); restyled generation 1 and both 6.2 AT sit at 570 kg. Lowest ground clearance is restyled generation 1 at 180 mm; generation 2 and 3 sit at 200 mm; original generation 1 is 193 mm.
Suspension (buyers comparing ride hardware, not inventing types): 5.4 AT independent torsion front / independent spring rear; 2006–2008 6.2 AT independent spring both ends; 2008–2011 6.2 AT independent pneumatic both ends; both 5.5 AT independent spring both ends. Brakes on all six: ventilated disc front, Disc ventilated rear.
Which Mercedes M-Class AMG version to choose
Choose generation 3 5.5 AT 558 hp if the decision is maximum power, maximum torque, lowest seconds, and best weight-to-power on this list: 558 hp, 760 Nm from 2000–5000 rpm, 4.7 s, 4.20 kg/hp, 102.2 hp/L, same 11.8 L/100 km combined as the 525 hp twin, same 2345 kg, Euro 5, CO2 199. Versus 5.5 AT 525 hp you gain 33 hp and 60 Nm and 0.1 s; you do not gain a different gearbox, drive, tank, or consumption figure. Peak power rpm is 5750 versus 6800 — 1050 rpm lower — so the 558 hp 5.5 AT is the one whose torque band is written as a range, not a single 5200 rpm point.
Choose generation 3 5.5 AT 525 hp if you want the generation-3 Turbo 5461 cm³ package (96.1 hp/L, 4.8 s, 11.8 combined, 788 km implied range, 705 kg payload) and the 33 hp step is not the reason to buy. Against restyled 6.2 AT this 5.5 AT is +15 hp, +70 Nm, −747 cm³, Turbo instead of No, −0.2 s, same 250 km/h, −8.4 city / −2.6 highway / −4.7 combined L/100 km, tank −2 L, kerb +35 kg, gross +170 kg.
Choose generation 2 6.2 AT 2006–2008 if the goal is the largest displacement (6208 cm³), boost No, 95 fuel, 510 hp, 5.0 s, 7-speed Automatic, spring (not pneumatic) suspension, and you accept 16.1 combined versus 11.8 on 5.5 AT. Versus 5.4 AT it is the step that adds 163 hp and two gears and 15 km/h. City 23.1 is 3.3 L/100 km above 5.4 AT 19.8 — more engine, more city fuel.
Choose generation 2 restyling 6.2 AT 2008–2011 only if independent pneumatic suspension is the differentiator you want: power, 5.0 s, 250 km/h, 2310 kg, 200 mm, 95 L match the 2006–2008 6.2 AT. Fuel becomes 98. Combined rises 0.4 L/100 km to 16.5; city rises 1.0 to 24.1. That restyle does not add horsepower.
Choose generation 1 5.4 AT 2000–2001 if lowest kerb (2060 kg) and 193 mm clearance matter more than 347 hp and 6.9 s. It is 285 kg lighter than generation 3 and 250 kg lighter than 6.2 AT, with 690 kg payload close to generation 3’s 705 kg. Combined 14.3 sits between generation 3 (11.8) and 6.2 AT (16.1–16.5). Five speeds, 3 valves per cylinder, boost No, 95 fuel, top speed 235 km/h.
Choose generation 1 restyling 5.4 AT 2001–2005 only if that year window is the constraint. Same 347 hp, same 6.9 s, same 19.8 / 11.1 / 14.3 as 2000–2001, but +240 kg, −13 mm clearance, −120 kg payload. It is the weakest kg/hp ratio here (6.63). A 2005 Mercedes M-Class AMG in this catalogue is this 5.4 AT, not a 6.2 AT or 5.5 AT.
Arithmetic ranking (higher/better except time and consumption):
- Power: 558 > 525 > 510 > 347
- Torque: 760 > 700 > 630 > 510
- hp/L: 102.2 > 96.1 > 82.2 > 63.8
- 0–100 (lower better): 4.7 < 4.8 < 5.0 < 6.9
- Combined L/100 km (lower better): 11.8 < 14.3 < 16.1 < 16.5
- kg/hp (lower better): 4.20 < 4.47 < 4.53 < 5.94 < 6.63
- Payload: 705 > 690 > 570
Prices, “for sale UK / South Africa / Australia / near me,” and reliability scores are not measured. The numbers that are measured say: generation 3 5.5 AT 558 hp is the performance and economy peak of this list; generation 3 5.5 AT 525 hp is the same car on every consumption and mass row except 33 hp / 60 Nm / 0.1 s; 6.2 AT is the large-displacement, boost-No path with the highest L/100 km; 5.4 AT 2000–2001 is the light path; restyled 5.4 AT is the same engine in a heavier, lower SUV.