Having diagnosed a failed or failing head gasket on an 164,000 mile base W203, what would be the best course of action? Remove the head and have it magnafluxed and machined replace gasket or replace the entire engine with a salvage unit with lower miles? I have gotten quotes as low as $1450.00 for 69K engine and as high as $1975.00 for a 56K unit. either solution is going to cost about $3500. The car is in overall excellent condition and is our only usable car. This could take weeks to get done and aside from the expense alternate transportation will be needed in South Jersey where public transit is horrible.