Alastair:
You are probably right - the 606 parts are here in the US, and I believe the OM606/W201 project has been successfully completed by others.

However, at this point, I'm still thinking "Logic be damned, I WANT one of the OM605's". When I close my eyes, I can just picture the wide valve cover looking back at me when I pop the hood open.

Buying an engine isn't too difficult, it's arranging for the importation and the paying of fees (if any) that needs to be figured out. I have a few leads that I'm exploring, hopefully someone can help me through the process of shipping an engine like this. I'm hopeful that I can get in touch with the right person, maybe someone who already imports automotive items from England, Germany, Spain, Portugal, etc.

SteveM

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'93 190E/D 2.5 Turbodiesel 5-speed (daily driver)
'87 190D 2.5 Turbo rustbucket - parts car
'84 Dodge Rampage diesel - Land Speed Record Holder
'13 Ram 2500 Diesel
'05 Toyota 4Runner

Yup, I know EXACTLY where you're coming from!

For a long while--going on a few years--I have hankered after a Proper, genuine OM.617.952 Turbo motor, But--like the 605 in the US-- it was Never officially imported here to the UK...
--I did hear of one a while back, but it was of dubious condition and Very expensive,--It may not have been a genuine .952 either!

So, after much thinking about all the hassles of importing one I gave up and then directed thought to a OM.606 Turbodiesel into my W123.
--At least most if not all the parts are available here for me to swap one in, and the engine itself is very readily available due to the W210 and its Rusting issues.
--I bought a complete W210 for a few hundred quid with a great OM.606.962, so now the search for all those odd items I need to fit it starts!

But I certainly know what you mean--Those daydreams are what keep us going!

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http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...0TDnoplate.jpg

Alastair AKA H.C.II South Wales, U.K. based member

W123, 1985 300TD Wagon, 256K,
-Most recent M.B. purchase, Cost-a-plenty, Gulps BioDiesel extravagantly, and I love it like an old dog.

W114, 1975 280E Custard Yellow,
-Great above decks needs chassis welding--Really will do it this year....

Alistair--there were someone doing turbo kits for non turbo cars over there somewhere werent'they??

What?--For the 617...?

There was a supplier of conversions in the day when 616/7 were popular, Ive heard of the odd one surviving but never actually seen one or been offered one....

It did cross my mind maybe to buy the various parts from a friendly US member and ship them back to fit to my W123 280TE/300TD conversion with rebuilt N/A 617 here....
(The car in sig. is a genuine 300TD, so that will be staying as standard, My other W123 will be the 'test-bench')

Maybe one day....

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http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...0TDnoplate.jpg

Alastair AKA H.C.II South Wales, U.K. based member

W123, 1985 300TD Wagon, 256K,
-Most recent M.B. purchase, Cost-a-plenty, Gulps BioDiesel extravagantly, and I love it like an old dog.

W114, 1975 280E Custard Yellow,
-Great above decks needs chassis welding--Really will do it this year....

If your looking for a lead on euro parts this fellow may be able to help you ryanparkin1@googlemail.com, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK
Over on TDIClub he is one of the leading supplier of euro VW diesel bits for us US TDI junkies. I don't know if he is interested in sourcing MB stuff or not but he has an established relationship with many breakers in the UK, is an ace at the shipping/tracking process, and is an all around stand up guy. If nothing else he may be able to point you toward someone who specializes in MB stuff.

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'00 Golf TDI- 175k, more mods=+++mpg
'02 Honda Odyssey- 164k on original trans, knock on wood every time we drive it
88' GMC SLX 4x4- 182k
'80 Kubota B7100
'55 Ford 650