Typical price on a rebuild on a 81-85 300SD? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

86560SEL · #1 11-20-2003, 02:54 PM

If someone had a 81-85 300SD and later on it needed a rebuild for some reason- what is a typical/fair price for a complete rebuild (parts included) on one of these cars and who did the repair? Dealer? Independent Mercedes specialist? etc.

Thanks.

rickg · #2 11-20-2003, 02:58 PM

I heard that the PO of my car spent around $4k for a factory rebuilt engine. But that's what they call a "crate engine", which is a complete engine with everything on it new: water pump, injection pump, turbo, belts, hoses, ect, ect. A complete drop in engine.
I'm sure just a rebuild would be way less.

86560SEL · #3 11-20-2003, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rickg
I heard that the PO of my car spent around $4k for a factory rebuilt engine.
I'm sure just a rebuild would be way less.

I would hope so.

Rick Miley · #4 11-20-2003, 04:27 PM

Metric Motors (highly regarded by many)

Adsit (not recommended)

86560SEL · #5 11-20-2003, 04:34 PM

Thanks for the link. Hopefully the one I buy will not have to have a rebuild anytime soon, if prices elsewhere are about the same as those "suggested retail" prices. Those prices are ludicrous. One could buy a very nice lower mile 300SD for that price. $5100 for an engine? Does that include everything? It should- and should also include the transmission.

: Thanks again.

rickg · #6 11-20-2003, 04:36 PM

Ooouuuchhh!!

Metric Motors shows $5700 for my engine. I guess my cars PO got a good deal. (But then that was a couple years ago)
But that just shows why I was willing to spend more than most are on one of these old cars. I let the PO spend the big-bucks.

86560SEL · #7 11-20-2003, 04:40 PM

I just read the "what you get link". Transmission not included.

Some of those engines listed there are nearly $10,000.

I know you get a warranty, but I would have to have a perfect low mile car before I would spend that on a engine and if that was the case- it should have a good engine to start with.

rickg · #8 11-20-2003, 04:48 PM

I'm wondering if it would still cost that much if you yanked out the engine, stripped it down, and took it into a good rebuild shop.

86560SEL · #9 11-20-2003, 04:52 PM

That is what I would like to know.

rickg · #10 11-20-2003, 04:52 PM

Something else to consider however, that $5k would only have to be spent every 300k miles at worst. So if you have a good solid car, slam in a rebuilt engine, and forget about it for another 10-20 years. Really not bad in the big picture.

Rick Miley · #11 11-20-2003, 05:32 PM

Since the bottom ends of Mercedes engines are almost indestrucible (unless you run them out of oil), maybe this will make you feel better:

Head Rebuilding

The engine for my E300 isn't listed, but I think it goes for something like $12,000.

86560SEL · #12 11-20-2003, 05:42 PM

Those prices look much better, but I do not see the 300SD listed.

Quote:

Originally posted by Rick Miley
Since the bottom ends of Mercedes engines are almost indestrucible (unless you run them out of oil), maybe this will make you feel better:

Head Rebuilding

The engine for my E300 isn't listed, but I think it goes for something like $12,000.

#13 11-20-2003, 06:07 PM

I blew the engine on my 81 a couple of years back. Looked briefly at some long blocks. Mostly ran close to $5500.
I put in a used and have since scoped out rebuilding the old engine. Best adivce I was given is $3000 in parts and machine shop labor, as a worst case, so long as I would do the basic labor myself. Most will come in for less. Depends on how much is found worn out inside there.
I will likely rebuild the old engine at some time. So far the used is ok, but not what I really want.