Today I'm leaning over my engine in my girlfriend's driveway when her Dad walks by and says jokingly "what are we breaking now?" I have spent a lot of time fussing with this car and now it is once again beginning to leak oil on his driveway (sigh). So he comes up with the idea of finding a junked w124 with an m103 engine that's in good shape (as far as the block is concerned), and replace all the gaskets, hoses, and any other repairable items on this junked car, get it running perfectly, then swap the engines into my current pristine looking, crappy running 87 300e. Says he used to do it with old VW bugs every weekend. I am forced to buy a junker car to obtain the engine because unfortunately I only have 1 car right now, which I need every day.

Is this something to consider? Is it economical at all? Granted, I would do it more for the experience than anything else, but what would a junked w124 with a solid engine and all the wear and tear parts for the engine cost? (shudder)

Is it even possible to find a junked w124 with a solid engine? maybe a bad rear-end accident?

The more I think about it, the more I like it, but I'm probably not thinking rationally. It would mean daily posts on my part about many, many different things. (just warning everyone)

What does everyone think about this? Any experiences of this nature?

p.s. I am fairly mechanically inclined, but have never attempted something this complex, my girlfriend's dad is a 30 year+ mechanic and willing to give some (emphasis) SOME assistance.

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