The engine mounts on my 1989 300SE are the old massive rubber ones.
Is there an easy way to convert them to newer mounts, and what will be the effect?
The car is rather noisy. Are there other ways to reduce noise (cover under the engine ?). I also heard of improved door seals, will this help?

The 300SE mounts work just fine and they cost about one fifth of what a 300E mount costs. They put no hydraulic mounts in 126 chassis cars. They didn't need to. The mounts cost around $15 and last as long as any hydraulic mount.

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

Rob:

The reason that MB never put other than rubber mounts on the 300SE is that it is a smooth running ca (when everything is to specification). Liquid-filled mounts usually are required when there is some vibration due to primary or secondary imbalance that can't be engineered out easily (actually inexpensively).

Your other question was do you need an under-hood cover. The answer is that, yes you do, to keep the "noise " of the engine quieter. Remember, MB are supposed to be "luxury" cars, and hence quiet. This under-hood mat is very inexpensive, available from your local dealer, and yes you can install it yourself, as it just glues up using 3M spray adhesive, which the dealer also sells. Just makle sure that you do a very good job of clening off any residual adhesive, and that you spray both the underhood and the mat sufficiently to bond. You will have to spray both first, then carefully prsee the mat onto the underhood, and you have a quiter engine. Try it, you'll be amazed at the difference.

New door seals will help only with wind noise, not engine noise......Andras