I'm looking for a good used 617 (preferably non-diesel) to put into a non-MB vehicle. I'm in Ontario.

Have been asking locally for such an engine (want to avoid the hassles and costs of shipping if I can) from a couple of places that deal with refurbishing/selling older MB's etc. The price they tell me is between $1500-2000 Canadian (about $1200-1600 US I suppose) for a "good diesel engine". One seller said that at $1500 Canadian, it might "benefit from new rings". New rings??? Doesn't sound like a "good diesel engine" to me!

Anyway, I've seen what are described as reasonably low mileage, good running 616/617's on EBay for around $500 US. So I assume the prices I am given locally are inflated, if not laughable.

What's the going rate for a good 617 in your parts?