Turbos for the C-Class, E-Class, GLC, ML/GL, Sprinter and Vito — OM651 2.1 CDI and OM642 3.0 V6 CDI diesels (VNT / bi-turbo), plus M274 & M270 turbo-petrol units. Compare free quotes from verified suppliers across South Africa.
OM651 · OM642 · CDI · Illustrative
Variable-nozzle CDI diesels (OM651 2.1, OM642 3.0 V6 and the older 2.2 CDI) plus BorgWarner-era turbo-petrol (M274, M270). Suppliers cover the full C, E, GLC, ML/GL, Sprinter and Vito range.
Mercedes uses more than one part number per engine — a C220 CDI could be an OM651 or an older 2.2 CDI, and an E250 CDI may be a 2-stage bi-turbo. Tell us your VIN and we match the exact unit.
Compare tested used pull-offs, reconditioned/exchange units and new aftermarket — and on the VNT turbos check the actuator is included and calibrated, with warranty confirmed by each supplier.
Mercedes Turbochargers
Indicative SA pricing by engine and turbo code. Send your VIN for an exact match and a free quote.
Diesel Popular Code: OM651 VNT / R2S bi-turbo · 2.1 CDI (OM651)
Diesel Popular Code: GT2052V · A6420901480 · 3.0 V6 CDI (OM642)
Diesel Code: GT1852V / GT2256V · OM646 / OM611 / OM612 CDI
Petrol Code: M274 IHI RHF4 · 2.0 turbo (M274)
Petrol Code: M270 IHI RHF4 · 1.6 / 2.0 turbo (M270)
Product images are illustrative only — the exact turbo varies by supplier, condition and VIN.
Price guide
Indicative ranges by engine and turbo code. Actual quotes depend on condition and whether the unit is used, reconditioned/exchange or new aftermarket — and whether the actuator is included on the VNT units.
| Engine / Turbo | Price Range (ZAR) |
|---|---|
| C200/220 / E220/250 CDI / GLC250d / Sprinter / Vito — OM651 (VNT / bi-turbo) | R3,500 – R6,500 |
| ML/GL 320/350 / E320/350 CDI / S320 / Sprinter 319 — OM642 (GT2052V) | R4,500 – R8,000 |
| C200/220 / E200/220 / E270 / ML270 CDI / Sprinter / Vito — OM646 / OM611 / OM612 | R3,000 – R4,500 |
| C200/250 / E200 / GLC200/250 / CLA250 2.0 — M274 (IHI) | R8,000 – R11,000 |
| A200/250 / B200 / CLA200/250 / GLA200/250 1.6-2.0 — M270 (IHI) | R8,000 – R11,000 |
These are estimates based on current SA market data — request a free quote for an exact price on your specific model and year.
Condition & warranty
The same Mercedes turbo comes three ways in South Africa. Here's how they compare on price, warranty and what you get — so you can tell suppliers which to quote.
Tested second-hand unit removed from a low-mileage donor vehicle.
Your old core is surrendered; the unit is stripped, rebuilt and balanced.
A brand-new unit — aftermarket or genuine OEM-grade.
Not sure which to pick? Send your VIN and ask suppliers to quote all three — you compare price and warranty side by side.
Mercedes' CDI diesels run variable-nozzle (VNT) turbos — some in a 2-stage bi-turbo setup — while the petrols run IHI units. Find your engine family below, then send your VIN so suppliers quote the exact part.
Vanes & actuator adjust boost — soot makes them stick
The high-volume 2.1 CDI — a single VNT turbo on lower outputs, and a 2-stage bi-turbo (small high-pressure plus larger low-pressure) on the higher-output C250/E250, so confirm which yours runs.
The 3.0 V6 OM642 (Garrett GT2052V, A6420901480) plus the older four-cylinder OM646/OM611 2.2 and five-cylinder OM612 2.7 — all single VNT units; watch oil-cooler & swirl-flap on the V6.
Newer, higher-ticket units — integrated manifold & e-wastegate
The single IHI turbo-petrol 2.0 four — found on the 200 / 250 badges across the C, E and GLC.
The transverse sibling of the M274 — a single IHI turbo on the A-Class, B-Class, CLA and GLA (200/250). The newest, higher-ticket petrol units.
A bare CHRA "core" is only the centre cartridge — not a complete turbo with actuator and housings. It's cheaper, but check exactly what's included before you compare prices. On the VNT diesels especially, confirm the actuator is part of the deal.
Still not sure? and suppliers will confirm the exact turbo for you.
Find your model
Pick your model and we'll match the right turbo by engine and VIN. Tap any model to start a free quote.
On the CDI VNT diesels especially, most of these point to sticking vanes or a tired actuator rather than a dead turbo — so get it diagnosed before you replace the whole unit.
A turbo lives or dies on clean oil and heat management. A few habits go a long way on SA roads:
Most people looking for a Mercedes turbo in South Africa drive a C-Class, E-Class or an ML — and most of the demand sits on the diesel CDI engines. The four-cylinder OM651 2.1 CDI and the V6 OM642 3.0 CDI use a variable-nozzle turbo (VNT), where the vanes and actuator adjust boost across the rev range. When those vanes gum up with carbon and soot you get power loss, limp mode and a tell-tale whistle — the single most common reason owners end up here. Note the higher-output C250/E250 versions of the OM651 run a 2-stage bi-turbo rather than a single unit, so the exact setup depends on your model and output.
The biggest trap is buying the wrong part number. Mercedes fits more than one turbo per engine, and the model badge alone is not enough — a C220 CDI could be an OM651 or an older 2.2 CDI, and an E250 CDI may be a bi-turbo rather than a single turbo. The OM642 part number (A6420901480) also superseded over the years. Confirm yours by VIN or engine number before you buy. If you are weighing up the whole engine rather than just the turbo, it is worth comparing a used Mercedes engine or gearbox at the same time so you can plan the full job — see the related-parts links below.
VNT symptoms — power loss, limp mode, whistling, black smoke — are often the actuator or a stuck vane rather than a completely dead turbo, and worn injectors, EGR or a blocked DPF can mimic exactly the same signs. On the OM642 V6 in particular, oil-cooler and swirl-flap faults can present alongside a turbo issue. It pays to have the fault properly diagnosed before committing to a full unit, and to compare a used or reconditioned turbo against an actuator or clean-and-recon. Engine Finder is a marketplace — submit one free quote request and verified Mercedes turbo suppliers across South Africa come back to you with prices, warranties and availability.
It depends on the engine and condition. The older CDI family (OM646/OM611 2.2 and the OM612 2.7 five-cylinder) is the most affordable at roughly R3,000 – R4,500, with plenty of used pull-offs about. The high-volume OM651 2.1 CDI runs about R3,500 – R6,500 and the OM642 3.0 V6 CDI around R4,500 – R8,000. On the petrol side the newer M274 and M270 2.0 turbos both run roughly R8,000 – R11,000 because there is limited used salvage — mostly reconditioned and new-aftermarket. Submit one quote request and compare verified suppliers for your exact model.
The most common cause on these variable-nozzle (VNT) turbos is the vanes and actuator sticking with carbon and soot, giving power loss, limp mode, a whistling noise or black smoke. Sometimes it is just the actuator or a clean and recon rather than a whole turbo, and worn injectors, EGR or DPF issues can mimic the same symptoms — so it is worth a proper diagnosis first. The OM642 V6 in particular has known oil-cooler and swirl-flap talking points that can present alongside a turbo fault, so a good supplier will advise on the surrounding parts.
The OM651 is the current-generation 2.1 CDI four-cylinder — it runs a single VNT turbo on lower outputs and a 2-stage bi-turbo (a small high-pressure plus a larger low-pressure turbo) on the higher-output C250/E250 versions. The OM642 is the 3.0 V6 CDI with a single GT2052V turbo. The OM646/OM611 (2.2) and OM612 (2.7 five-cylinder) make up the older family that came before the OM651 — the simplest and cheapest to source. So a C220 CDI could be an OM651 or an older 2.2 CDI depending on year. Give your model, year and engine when you request a quote so suppliers match the correct turbo.
All three are common in SA. A used pull-off is the cheapest and fine if it has been tested and comes with some warranty. A reconditioned or exchange unit (you surrender your old core) is usually quote-only and carries a longer warranty. New aftermarket or OEM-grade units cost the most but are brand new. On the bi-turbo OM651 and the VNT diesels, check exactly which units are included and whether the actuator is calibrated. Watch out for cheap "CHRA core" listings — a bare centre cartridge is not a complete turbo.
Confirm it by VIN or engine number — Mercedes uses more than one part number per engine, and the model badge alone is not enough. A C220 CDI could be an OM651 or an older 2.2 CDI depending on year; an E250 CDI may be a 2-stage bi-turbo rather than a single turbo; and the OM642 part number (A6420901480) superseded over the years. Tell us your model, year and engine (and ideally your VIN) when you request a quote and verified suppliers will confirm the exact unit before you commit.
It varies by supplier. Tested used units typically carry a 30–90 day warranty; reconditioned and new aftermarket units usually 6–12 months. Because a failed turbo can be caused by oil-supply, EGR or DPF issues, a good supplier will also advise on fitting the correct oil feed/return and priming the unit. Always get the warranty terms in writing and confirm whether fitment at a qualified workshop is required.
Doing a bigger job than just the turbo? Compare quotes on these too.
Used & recon OM651, OM642, OM646, M274 & M270 engines from verified suppliers.
View engines →Manual & 7G-Tronic / 9G-Tronic automatic gearboxes for the C, E, GLC and ML range.
View gearboxes →Compare turbocharger prices across every make we cover in SA.
Browse turbos →Send us your Mercedes-Benz model, year and engine — and your VIN if you have it. We'll get verified suppliers to quote you on used, reconditioned and new-aftermarket turbochargers.
