I got an 85 190e with the 8 valve engine, it's going to need a rebuild or replacement on the engine sometime next year. I've been looking for used engines, but all I seem to be able to find are the 16v or else people who don't know whether it's 8 or 16. Are they interchangeable, if I keep the correct computers etc with the engines?

Thanks!

When looking for a replacement M102 engine, your path of least resistance will be one of the same year and displacement, since you won't need to change the auxillary parts, like radiators, a/c compressors, electronic control units and sensors. During the production of the W201, there were approximately 3 major engine/fuel system changes to the M102 during the 10 year run, but they will all drop into the engine bay and bolt up to the transmission like your '85, you just have to have the other components that go along with the engine for a complete transplant. Are you sure that the whole engine has to go?

It has WBBB (Wicked Bad Blow By), but runs ok. I guess I may be a bit pessimistic, I haven't checked the PCV valve yet, or done the compression check, but I suspect I haven't lived that clean of a life :-)

I only paid $850 for it, so I'm not complaining, and I just got it as a backup vehicle in case one of my other cars wouldn't start or needed to be out of commision for a day or two. But it's in pretty fair shape and if I could find a decent used engine, I've done engine swaps before. If the 8's & 16's were really easily interchangeable then it would just open up my options more. Also the local junkyard guy said there was only one option in a used engine for that year. he may not be able to cross reference properly as this car was actually sold in Germany to a serviceman and then imported to the US. (Wanted $1000 for the one he had in stock but couldn't tell me if it was 8 or 16).

So that's my long and boring story.

Thanks!