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Mercedes-Benz M119 specs: 4.2L (256 ci) 8-cylinder, 92 x 78.9 mm (3.6220 x 3.1063 in) bore and stroke. Rated 275 hp, 1992–1999.
The Mercedes-Benz M119 is oversquare — the 3.622" bore exceeds the 3.1063" stroke by 16.6% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.1063" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 7,750 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. Each of the 8 cylinders displaces 32.0 ci (524 cc).
It is one of 3 engines in the Mercedes-Benz 256ci family, all of them 256 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 9 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 275 hp across 1992–1999.
| Displacement | 256 ci / 4.2 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.622" |
| Stroke | 3.1063" |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Configuration | V8 |
| Compression ratio | 10–11:1 (published figures vary) |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.166 |
| Fuel type | gas |
|---|---|
| Advertised HP | 275 hp |
| Years | 1992–1999 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.166 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,106 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Displacement per cylinder | 32.0 ci |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | — | M119 |
| 1993 | — | M119 |
| 1994 | — | M119 |
| 1995 | — | M119 |
| 1996 | — | M119 |
| 1997 | — | M119 |
| 1997 | 275 hp | M119 |
| 1998 | — | M119 |
| 1999 | — | M119 |
2 factory vehicles, 1992–1999. Each year opens that model's engine table.