3.8L or 4.0L or 5.0L in a 300CE - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

franj · #16 02-13-2003, 12:51 AM

Mike,

I have a '93 E220 and a V6 Passat. Sold my 190E 2.6 a while back. Love the W124 but the E220 is painful to drive,ie slow (done 85000km).

You are right about buying interstate for there are very few CEs in Perth. Saw a 320CE the other day that looked absolutely mint, but couldn't catch it on foot!!!

I've seen a few cheaper ones but with high mileage. I really want a later model >1990 and preferably a 5 speed auto. I'll keep on looking, my options are an E280 or E320 four door around 1994 - 1995.

Alon.

Yes, if you can buy cheaper from someone you know, why not? BTW your US$ is twice the value of our A$, so hopefully it is less painful for you.

franj

Ashman · #17 02-13-2003, 01:22 AM

Franj.... keep searching for the CE, you will love it when you find it.

I'm just one who prefers to buy from members if possible. I know I can just buy one form a parts place, but I like to deal with members. there is I think just a bit more trust when you know the member like we know each other on here.

Alon

Mike300ce · #18 02-13-2003, 03:59 AM

yeah franj mine has got high milage, thats why i'm looking to do an engine conversion. i figure i could probably get one with a heap less kms and lots more power.

alon,
my mate whos a wrecker is keeping his eyes pealed for a really good one, the bloke from mercedes didn't seem to want to help he said that it was dangerous to try to modify a mercedes in that way. (I swear they get that stuff bashed into their heads with a baseball bat) I asked him if it was a flat or angled mirror, he said flat, i said so whats the problem how is it dangerous? he said because mercedes didn't make it like that. dumb reason, eh. oh well my mate from the smash is gonna look into it.

starquest -
about your wifeys 500e is it gonna be a RHD one because if it is then let me know how it all looks as it fits because from what i've heard they just don't fit.

Ashman · #19 02-13-2003, 09:47 PM

yeah I find most mercedes guys dont want you to change things and mod them to the way they should have been.

Alon

franj · #20 02-14-2003, 12:21 AM

Alon & Mike,

I guess no motor is bulletproof, but what should I be mindful of when buying a higher mileage CE? I do fancy the thought of buying one cheap and then undertake to upgrade the parts as and when they are needed......or am I just kidding myself? I am aware of how expensive it can get!

Is there a good year for the CEs?

What do you guys think of the 24V engine compared to the 12V?
I heard the 12 is smoother (!).

Any thoughts, advice or experiences in regards to the CE would be appreciated and welcomed!!!

Cheers

franj

Ashman · #21 02-14-2003, 02:45 AM

I love the engine in my car, but would love to make it better too.

My car has been very reliable. engine is smooth, and Drives great. My car has 103k on it, no known issues except a minor hard starting issue I havent had looked at yet. I just have to crank and then do it once more then it fires up. Nothing too major.

I would look for a 1990-1992 24v. Unless you can find a 93-95 3.2-24 which has had the wiring harness done and head gasket.

The head gasket, and wiring harness are the only major issues with the M104.

The M103 suffers from needing valve stem seal upgrades, and head gaskets I think too.

They are both great engines. The 24V will have more horsepower and torque over the 12v.

Alon

Mike300ce · #22 02-15-2003, 06:43 AM

alon has it right, the 12v is a good engine, and i swear i beat a 2002 model Volkswagen 4motion V6 today at first i thought the guy wasn't going hard cos i had the music up but then i paused it and his motor was growling just as loud as mine. the 24v has more power in the earlier models at a bout the same rev range, then the later model has more power at lower revs, the gearing on the 93-95 was apparently the best, then the 88-89 had good gearing aswell but the 90-92 had more power therefore it was still a little faster than the 88-89 even though the gear ratios weren't as good. the smoothness issue isn't gonna be a real problem, i don't think that mercedes would have brought the motor out if it shook like a rotary.

you'll most likely find that the 12v has a really solid bottom end, if it has high kms then you may have to change the head, and when you do that you could easily put the 24v on top it is the same block and apparantly its not to hard a conversion.

every engine after long enough will need some work, you just have to find one that has been treated well.

i have a problem with my engine right now that gives me the *****s, i need to change the ignition leads on it because the engine stutters when you accelerate with any load on the engine. but other than that mine is fine. it all depends on what you can find. but definately get the car checked out by some one, if you guys have pedders pay them $14 and get the 28 point suspension check, and take it to a mercedes dealer ship and get them to have a quick look over it, its worth wile you don't want to put lots of money into a dud, then have to pay more to fix the dud.

#23 02-15-2003, 02:08 PM

I've seen a coupe/convertable with the 5.0L convertion, and the guy also changed the front end to an E500 widebody..it was a beautiful car.

one question....what parts would I need to convert my car to a Righ Hand drive (RHD)? I've been wanting to do this for a while but never understood what I need to do....

Thanks guys,
Albert S.

#24 02-15-2003, 07:18 PM

mike,
no its not RHD and i will send pics and keep u up to date

Mike300ce · #25 02-16-2003, 07:42 AM

extreme e500
why would you want to change your car to a RHD?
you would need a whole new dash, drivers and passengers seat, steering box, pedal box, brake master cylinder, power steering pump probably, and you may not be able to fit the RHD in with the V8 so you'd have to change that

too much hassle for no/not enough gain.

Starquest
yeah thats what i thought, because from what i have heard they won't fit in with the current engine bay layout of the RHD drive cars. but do keep me informed i'm always interested to know about peoples projects.