Considering purchasing 2007 E63 AMG
The engine is frozen and needs to be replaced
What are the potential costs and issues involved in doing this?
Will need to find someone skilled and has the equipment to performance work
i live in Orange County CA

 

 

Unless the car is damn near free, you'd probably be better off buying one that doesn't need an engine since you can't DIY it. Having a shop do it won't be cheap. You'll also want to do the head bolts and lifters before the engine goes in the car if you can't confirm they've been done on the new one.

If I were doing what you want to do I'd budget at least $10,000 for the project. Probably more as unknowns will could very well come up. Seems like people are asking $6,000+ for complete, higher mileage M156 engines (I just did a quick search). If it came out of car approaching 100k miles, I'd probably want to have it rebuilt prior to installation. It's easier to do that with it out of the car than in it.

 

I also agree you are much better paying significantly more for a working example. Stirgoi why can't you DIY it? Serious question.

Obviously you need a full complement of tools and engine lifts and some advanced mechanical knowledge/experience but you shouldn't need even need STAR for a complete swap, use the ECU and TCU in the car so no mating required. A copy of WIS, some OEM updated headbolts, SLS valve buckets and if the engine is out might as well get a full upper gasket set and take the heads off rather than the in-car one by one approach.

 

If one is skilled enough, with all the necessary equipment, then you can do it yourself. I have friends that are certified MB mechanics, and they have removed and replaced complete engines.

 

I meant OP since he said he couldn't DIY it. Of course anyone with the know how and tools can do it themselves.

 

My mistake, comprehension issue.

Yuille i don't think you need to be certified tech to do this but certainly wouldn't hurt.

 

Yes....Sir, you are correct! But having friends that are doesn't hurt, especially when you have a lot of questions.

 

snapped a head bolt?

 

Engine swap is nothing special, to repair an engine you want a real tech but swapping just requires equipment.
That said, as others mentioned, with the price of an engine being what it is and the price of working 2007 e63s being what it is I do not know why you would do this.

 

Have to agree. Unless you can buy the car, engine and get it installed and working for no more than $10-$12k, why would you do this? Used E63's with 150k+ miles or so are in the $12-$16k price range, and you would have a car with no stories. I totally understand the enjoyment of getting a project and bringing it back to life, but it has to be less than buying a similar car.