What a strange swap! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

todds · #1 09-04-2009, 01:20 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1966-Mercedes-300SE-engine-transmission-in-250-coupe_W0QQitemZ300344200087QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item45ede8cb97&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

Who ever would've thought to swap IN an m189? I know they were powerful and relatively light but yikes!

cth350 · #2 09-04-2009, 06:10 PM

in case anybody's wondering, that's an M189.989, meaning it's the motor from a 300se/8, which was a W108 body car w/o air suspension. No clue what it would take to use the motor for an air suspension car.

-CTH

Skippy · #3 09-04-2009, 07:02 PM

Pardon my ignorance, is there something bad about the M189?

junqueyardjim · #4 09-04-2009, 08:37 PM

The Ebay guy thinks he really has something. I think he has a lot of junk, but a couple parts might have some value. That engine in it's prime was a dandy, who knows at this time what it needs. Transmission and clutch, hey, just got find something it will fit. It obviously fits that old injected 300.

Yak · #5 09-04-2009, 09:47 PM

Maybe he'll update the description "Classic California Mercedes Coupe with hot rod engine! A lost classic stored in a barn for the last few years. Mel Gibson wants one like this for his next movie!"

Ya gotta love the "truth in advertising" photos of the trash and rust on the floor.

Wodnek · #6 09-04-2009, 10:56 PM

It is a later M189. The late ones used the 6 plunger setup on the injector pump for an extra 10 hp, or 195 hp.

There is nothing inherantly bad about the engine, it is quite peppy throughout the rpm range. Parts and rebuilding are very expensive. $450 for the disrtributer cap for instance.

Wodnek · #7 09-04-2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cth350

in case anybody's wondering, that's an M189.989, meaning it's the motor from a 300se/8, which was a W108 body car w/o air suspension. No clue what it would take to use the motor for an air suspension car.

-CTH

A 111 is a springer. The 112 is the air ride. Since a 112 chassis is the same as a 111 other then suspension, i would think it an easy swap, as far as swaps go.

mercmad6.3 · #8 09-05-2009, 01:27 AM

I wish it were closer,an alloy block M189 with four speed is a valuable piece. The rest sounds like junk.

todds · #9 09-05-2009, 11:19 AM

I wasn't knocking the engine, in fact I have no experience of them other than through their specs, which are impressive. I'm only surprised because of the costs, rarity and upkeep of such a motor. Most people would opt for an m130 or an eight for a swap. I actually think it'd be a wonderful car driving-wise with that engine. (The condition of this particular car is irrelevant - it's clearly a parts car)

bwostosh · #10 09-05-2009, 04:34 PM

Once upon a time I would had to have that car,
I do have a W111 64 coupe same color combo, M127 engine (original) restored body interior.
Was almost the same condition but no rust.
That motor / trans IS worth having tho....
It is on the other coast darn it.

GGR · #11 09-06-2009, 09:43 AM

These engines are nice. On paper their performance look close to the M130. But in real life, fore having driven both, the torque and power of the M189 is better spread over the rev range and the noise is a fantastic one, nothing to do with the one of the M130 (which sounds like a sowing machine). Technically, it's a very beautiful piece, but quite complicated and very expensive to overhaul. Putting a M189 with manual trans in a 190 SL would be a beautiful combo.

mercmad6.3 · #12 09-06-2009, 06:53 PM

If you read some of the contemporary road tests of the 300SE ( and i understand this seller has several including a $100,000 resto of a cabriolet) you will see they are capable of 125 mph with ease. All from a 6 cylinder engine of only 3.0 liter. it took a mighty big V8 of US origin to achieve that.
To fit one in a 190SL wouldn't work because of the height of the engine, the 300SL's demonstrate this by have the engine lay over.
A more interesting approach was this..The rarest 190SL in the World,the only remaining W127 as built by the factory,raced in macao then forgotten about after it was sold in Australia as a used car. it didn't occur to the dealerships and used car sales people in those days that is was in fact a different sort of car to the 190 as the six cylinder engine had been removed and replaced with Four. it has now been restored to it's new condition complete with M127 engine. And you saw it here first.

GGR · #13 09-06-2009, 11:03 PM

That's the car I had in mind. Is the M189 that higher than the M130? It may be lighter too, as it's an alloy bloc.

mercmad6.3 · #14 09-07-2009, 07:09 AM

it's higher,longer,wider and heavier in both iron and alloy block versions. i have a spare ponton sedan here and i'm keeping my eyes open for a SL body to drop on top. The Ponton bodies are simply welded to a square tube frame which is the same as the Sl's. my idea is to have a six cylinder Sl rather than four cylinder car with a six squeezed in. here is a M189 in a SL chassis, you can see how big the engine is and why it is tipped over to fit in.

GGR · #15 09-07-2009, 07:55 AM

Yes indeed, its a big engine. Did the 300 SL already have brake discs or is that an upgrade on the pictures chassis?

I heard the rear axle of the 190 SL was rather weak and would not cope well with additional power and torque. Do the ponton six have a different axle? The idea you have is a nice one. With a developed M110, three side draft webers etc you could end up in the same range of performance as the Jaguar E Types... the aspect of the twin cam M110 could be worked so that it looks of the era. I read people were increasing the capacity of later MB 6 cylinders by fitting Diesel crankshafts. a 3.8L Twin cam M110 in a 190 SL would be fun!