Everything was going along as planned with me bringing my car down to Enrique until Thursday when he reported some very bad news that the car was a loss.He says in all of his 38 years he had never seen this. Apparently before I took the car in June of last year someone drove it for a very short while with no oil and it only damaged the last cylinder (next to firewall).I did not and maybe still not (denial) understand why only that cylinder would be gone.He says that the fan and water can only reach so far (which made sense) and the last one would get the hottest.He wants me to see this (since he has the head off and everything) but I really do not want to.He has reservations about putting in a rebuilt motor and I personally can not justify $9500.00 for an engine in the crate.I have a bad feeling it will just start the money pit.Enrique feels really bad about this and ( this is really classy)since we had paid $300.00 to have it towed there is offering $500.00 and I turn the pink slip over.So I would like to thank you people who recommended him and apologize to others in my last free form letter that was apparently too long and missed a few periods at the end of sentences and wished I found you people back in June and (besides snide comments about my length of content and punctuation) you have hopefully learned from me what a very bad "authorized MB dealer" can,choose and still does do.

D.H.H.

mrd - Where did you come up with the $9500? You should be able to get a good engine off of ebay for a fraction of that. If you really don't want to go that route just try to find another 300D.

__________________
Jim

mrd,

Jim is correct there, and if you want a quality remanufactured engine for that car you should be able to pick one up for under half the near $10k figure. If your head is still good, the cost from Metric Motors (http://www.mercedesengines.net/300s.htm) for a remanufactured short block is $2900. This unit comes without a head or the auxiliaries, which must be transplanted from the old engine. I would expect the head is not ruined, and that most parts are reuseable with the exception of guides and seals.

The value of an older car to you or another person may not justify spending much money to get it back in shape, and that is understandable so don't feel pressured here, these are only suggestions if you want to proceed. With a little time you should be able to find a solution that either matches a budget/value threshold that is at least closer to a reasonble figure than $10K which most of us would not pay for one of these entire cars in really good shape.

Sorry to hear of your disappointment, and hope you find an acceptable outcome. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

My buddy, Larry Delor, got a rebuilt for his '83 300D on ebay. It was only $1500 and that included shipping to his front door. (he lives in Florida and the seller was in Florida also) No core charge. The engine came with a 1 year warranty also.

If you look around you should be able to find something that works for you.

Good luck.

Frank

__________________
Frank
84 500SEL EURO 101K ( JUST LIKE MY 1ST WIFE. GLAD TO GET RID OF HER! )
85 300D 310K (sold)
90 350SDL 184K sold
83 300D 118K (sold)
88 300E 153k (sold)
93 400E 105K (sold)

W123 motors are becoming inexpensive. I bought a used 83' turbo with 150K miles including all accessories for $450 from a wrecked sedan in Houston late last year. I did have to pull the motor myself.