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Just in case anyone is looking. I am considering selling my M104 stash since I never seem to come across any clean cars to accept this swap. None of this would be cheap but for the right buyer this is a great find for the 2.6 owner looking to upgrade a really clean car with a factory level swap without searching for all the individual components. 1990 300CE with 61K miles, Includes complete engine harness removed without cutting a single wire. All accessories included and I even pulled a vacuum on the a/c compressor. Everything worked just fine when pulled and I know as I had been servicing this car before the accident. CIS-E module included.
Last edited by bicylindrico; Nov 9, 2021 at 10:02 AM.
So sorry for your accident and I hope you and the other driver weren't hurt. The swap you're suggesting sounds like it might still be a pretty tight fit as the M103 engine in the W201 2.6 is already a pretty tight shoehorn effort by MB itself. In addition, really clean W201s are pretty rare now and because of that rarity, the owners now are likely less likely to want to modify them away from stock since the ;pw mileage, all stock ones are now selling for the most money.. Maybe some of the threads for the newer and larger MBs might be better places to suggest your upgrade. Just my 2 cents.
So sorry for your accident and I hope you and the other driver weren't hurt. The swap you're suggesting sounds like it might still be a pretty tight fit as the M103 engine in the W201 2.6 is already a pretty tight shoehorn effort by MB itself. In addition, really clean W201s are pretty rare now and because of that rarity, the owners now are likely less likely to want to modify them away from stock since the ;pw mileage, all stock ones are now selling for the most money.. Maybe some of the threads for the newer and larger MBs might be better places to suggest your upgrade. Just my 2 cents.
The customer totaled their car, I just purchased it to salvage all the great parts. Clean 190's are still plentiful and rather cheap. 5k-10k for a car isn't exactly expensive so tastefully modifying one with factory parts done properly would only increase its value.
This modification has been done hundreds of times already as the engine is basically the same, it just has the 4 valve cylinder head and a little extra displacement. This M104 has the exactly same CIS-E fuel system as well so much of the swap is plug and play if you have access to both complete drivetrains. The 722.3 transmission is slightly longer but much stronger so the driveshaft would need shortened but even the driveshaft is included in this package.
It's just some extra stuff I have around the shop so I don't care if I sell it now or not. I would never know if someone would have interest though unless I ask. I would actually prefer to do the swap myself as opposed to selling the kit. I have been around these cars since they were sold new so they get rather boring seeing them stock all the time. Personally I would pay more for a clean car with this swap properly done. Cheers!
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
If I was not the original owner of my car and did not live in California, this is the only swap I would consider for the W201.
It would be a great car plus it would bolt on to my manual transmission directly with no mods. And practically nothing changes but I think the ECU may have to be compatible with the year as I assume it has a MAS unit.
Issue in California is that passing smog will get tricky since swaps are not allowed out here.
BTW, you should have no issue selling this depending on what you are asking for it, there are plenty of people with 2nd, 3rd hand cars who would jump at this opportunity.
If I was not the original owner of my car and did not live in California, this is the only swap I would consider for the W201.
It would be a great car plus it would bolt on to my manual transmission directly with no mods. And practically nothing changes but I think the ECU may have to be compatible with the year as I assume it has a MAS unit.
Issue in California is that passing smog will get tricky since swaps are not allowed out here.
BTW, you should have no issue selling this depending on what you are asking for it, there are plenty of people with 2nd, 3rd hand cars who would jump at this opportunity.
Cheers!
Thank you! You must understand the potential and appreciate the authenticity of this swap. It's the swap MB never did but should have considering how simple it can be and still be old school Mercedes-Benz of the correct era (CIS).
Yes, the car had a MAS unit which still has the factory connection on the harness. The M104 CIS-E module was unique and is included. Again, wanting to do this swap myself the more I think about it.
Nice bolt in swap kit! If I just didn't do a head gasket and fresh rebuilt cylinder head on one of my cars I would definitely consider the swap because it really wakes the car up and bolts straight.
The customer totaled their car, I just purchased it to salvage all the great parts. Clean 190's are still plentiful and rather cheap. 5k-10k for a car isn't exactly expensive so tastefully modifying one with factory parts done properly would only increase its value.
This modification has been done hundreds of times already as the engine is basically the same, it just has the 4 valve cylinder head and a little extra displacement. This M104 has the exactly same CIS-E fuel system as well so much of the swap is plug and play if you have access to both complete drivetrains. The 722.3 transmission is slightly longer but much stronger so the driveshaft would need shortened but even the driveshaft is included in this package.
It's just some extra stuff I have around the shop so I don't care if I sell it now or not. I would never know if someone would have interest though unless I ask. I would actually prefer to do the swap myself as opposed to selling the kit. I have been around these cars since they were sold new so they get rather boring seeing them stock all the time. Personally I would pay more for a clean car with this swap properly done. Cheers!
Too each there own. Really good W201s aren't quite so common and they've begun to go up in value because the supply of them is getting smaller. Typically in MB world, modification lowers the value. If it was a basket case care that was being rescued, I would have no problem with it in that case.
Too each there own. Really good W201s aren't quite so common and they've begun to go up in value because the supply of them is getting smaller. Typically in MB world, modification lowers the value. If it was a basket case care that was being rescued, I would have no problem with it in that case.
One more point. One could install this swap without cutting or modifying a single thing permanently to your vehicle. Anything done during this swap could then be returned to original condition and you would still be left with the 'swap' as a sellable package in the future (likely for much more than you paid). Just tuck the original tired drivetrain into the corner of the garage when you pull it and keep for later. Maybe put 10k miles on the swap and pull it back out over a weekend and resell it. It would still only have 71k miles on it years later. Sounds like an investment to me?(which is why I have a bunch of this stuff lying around and what I tell my wife.)
I have this exact swap in my 93' 190e sportline which is in really great shape. Except with a manual transmission in mine. It looks and feels oem to me, I would call OEM+. Mercedes did some stupid things to the early 90's cars and with afterthought, they could've done things a lot better. Putting the 24v m104.980 in an 190e should've been something they did from the factory lol.
To the seller:
A lot of MB guys think modding a car is bad and they harp on future value as if everyone buys a car with the mindset that it'll be an appreciating asset. Especially with MB that arent particularly special, w201's for example lol. Which is funny because cars shouldn't be thought of that way. Enjoy your car how you want, keeping it stock or extensively modding it, nobody is wrong. My car will eventually get a sheetmetal intake manifold and/or ITB's as well as a standalone EFI. Because, the hell with CIS-E. It works but I can do it better and I have before lol.
Are you selling any parts individually? I wouldn't mind some spare parts for mine.
Last edited by Pirublues; Mar 10, 2023 at 02:27 PM.
I have this exact swap in my 93' 190e sportline which is in really great shape. Except with a manual transmission in mine. It looks and feels oem to me, I would call OEM+. Mercedes did some stupid things to the early 90's cars and with afterthought, they could've done things a lot better. Putting the 24v m104.980 in an 190e should've been something they did from the factory lol.
To the seller:
A lot of MB guys think modding a car is bad and they harp on future value at if everyone buys a car with the mindset that it'll be an appreciating asset. Especially with MB that arent particularly special, w201's for example lol. Which is funny because cars shouldn't be thought of that way. Enjoy your car how you want, keeping it stock or extensively modding it, nobody is wrong. My car will eventually get a sheetmetal intake manifold and/or ITB's as well as a standalone EFI. Because, the hell with CIS-E. It works but I can do it better and I have before lol.
Are you selling any parts individually? I wouldn't mind some spare parts for mine.
Sorry I want to keep this together as a kit. This could also fit older chassis cars with the fuel pump/accumulator setup which I do still have that could be part of a deal. I personally feel factory MB mods are acceptable but again if one sticks to keeping it as MB would have done when the vehicle was produced. Thanks for the supportive input.
Did i miss how much you are asking? Also would you be willing to ship it?
61K mile complete engine, transmission, CIS-E module, harness, driveshaft is included with the 'kit.' All documented. I am curious of what others think this is worth for a 31 year Mercedes-Benz engine/trans setup. Every original bolt I touched to remove the engine was put back in it's hole. Every wire removed from it's connector instead of clipping.
I don't think I would try to ship this myself but I am willing to assist with helping a buyer. I would imagine a car hauler individual would accept this as they were passing through. I feel this is for someone that has a very nice W201 example that wants to replicate a factory install with an emphasis on duplicating a factory install.
I promise to post the install if I ever find a really nice W201. A Sportline is the perfect recipient. I too love the W201 chassis
Last edited by bicylindrico; Nov 10, 2021 at 05:15 PM.
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
I'm not sure about the pricing as this is simply supply and demand. Correct me if I'm wrong but the driveshaft/transmission may not be usable/desirable for a W201.
Anyone who would want this engine may also want a manual transmission to go with it.
Just curious if someone delivered you the car would you swap it in for them?
I have be rebuilding a 92 sportline. I am just not a big fan of the power plant. I have been thinking about a k swap or a m113 (found a clk430 for 1300 bucks) just not sure. If you gave me the right price i might just pick it up. Thats kind of where I am at.
I'm not sure about the pricing as this is simply supply and demand. Correct me if I'm wrong but the driveshaft/transmission may not be usable/desirable for a W201.
Anyone who would want this engine may also want a manual transmission to go with it.
Just curious if someone delivered you the car would you swap it in for them?
I honestly don't know what could be compatible with the driveshafts. The easiest thing would probably be the have the front shaft shortened and balanced. This should be the only modification I can think of.
No, I don't do swaps for people.
I have be rebuilding a 92 sportline. I am just not a big fan of the power plant. I have been thinking about a k swap or a m113 (found a clk430 for 1300 bucks) just not sure. If you gave me the right price i might just pick it up. Thats kind of where I am at.
I don't think this is the setup for you and good luck with an M113 swap. More work than most people expect.
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