OK, here's another question. Is the M112 motor the only motor that will fit in this car, or are there other plug and play swaps? I am considering looking for a motor out of a crashed car, and was wondering what my options are, if any.


Thanks for all of the input so far, I've learned quite a bit about MB cars because of this little episode. :book:

1998 MY is ambiguous
 

From what I was told by a dealer's service manager, some of the earlier imported '98s had dino oil and the later ones synthetic. There must be some way to run your VIN to see what was originally in your father's car. I happen to know this because I had a 1998 E430 so the question came up. That SM did a search of some kind and determined mine had synthetic from the factory. Hope this helps, and good luck.

M113
 

I think the M113 V8 (from E430 for example) will fit but probably requires different motor mounts and most likely stronger shocks or front suspension due to the increased weight.

Thanks! I just talked to the guys a Potomac German Auto. I think I'll probably just get a used M112 motor from them to drop in it.

Keep in mind that it isn't as simple as changing a motor. You'd have to change the engine computer as well. Count on that adding significantly to cost.

Yeah, that's what I gathered from talking to the guys at PGA.

This was my first thought, too. Running *****ty oil can certainly foul rings and seize them in place preventing them from doing their job. Petro-based oil doesn't oxidize cleanly, the mfr-spec'ed oils do. :)

A dose of autorx might be worth a try to see if there's any improvement.

I thought about that, but the shear amount of smoke under WOT is such that I think the rings are beyond "unsticking." The car leaves a smoke screen that Bond would be jealous of if you press the accelerator to the floor.