I have noticed that the M104 engine in my 1994 E320 wagon sits offset in the engine compartment. It doesn't sit directly 'north to south ' and the back of the engine appears to point towards the passenger seat by a couple of degrees off center. Is this normal and if so why did MB do this?

Hmm...
 

I'm not sure, here's a picture of the engine in my '95 wagon. Does it look the same to you?
http://www.tokuhara.net/cars/e320/misc/e320_engine.jpg

Engine placement
 

The M104 in my '95 C280 sits just as you describe. It appears to be a little off centerline at the rear. Must be Ok. The photo provided by Glen appears this way also.

300CE-24
 

This is a picture of the engine in my 300CE-24...

http://216.122.199.143/gallery/goto.asp?id=338

...looks pretty in-line to me...

greetingz,

I was looking under my hood and too noticed the slight 'mis' alignment. I never noticed it this thread was brought up. It must be normal then!

(BTW, door sills look GREAT!!)

looked under my hood, and the same is true for the M103 in my 190e2.6.

my guess is that this is done to align it with the pinion shaft of the differential, which is off-center, on the passenger's side.

never noticed it until this thread ...