M104 3.2L I6 swap into 280S...how hard...

[chinny4290]

can that be? As Jeremy Clarkson would say....

I know it's been a while but I had to halt the restoration of my 280S because of money and just recently my E320 Coupe was in an accident totaling it

I have a mint condition M104 I6 3.2L and the transmission is mint, so is the diff.

Is a swap possible?

[s class]

The diff will be a tough one to fit as the W124 uses the multilink plus subframe rear end setup, different to the W114/115/116/123/126 arrangement.  I don't specifically know if the intended transplant will physically fit, but I suspect it should be doable because the W116 engine bay is pretty roomy.  You will need to transplant all the fuel injection and engine managment stuff too.  You may need a custom prop shaft. 

[Big_Richard]

anything is possible.

there are several 116's getting around with non mb engines in them, so this wont be any harder than that.

is the speedo electric in the w124? this may be a problem to rectify, but not impossible - because theres an electric 116 style speedo in late 107's which can be used.

I would do it, but i would expect it to take quite alot of sundays 

[WGB]

124's had cable drive speedos.

I would think the rear suspension would be a big ask but possibly the diff would swap if the ratio was required.

Bill

[npn]

c124 E320 Coupe (1993/07-1996/03) with 5 speed auto gearbox have the same diff ratio as w116.020/024/025 with auto or 4 speed manual gearboxes - 3,69. I dont think that would be big problems with engine fitting, for example w116 and w123, w126 have the same m110 engines, w123 and w126 have same m102 or m103 engines as 124 model which also has that m104. Difficult part should be electronics adopting.
But why are doing this? I think w116, if it is in good condition, is more valuable with it`s original engine, in future you would have less problems compared to that custom installation with mixed parts from two or more models. And the difference if you change it isn`t so big... Lots of work and finally you got only ordinary small I6 engine...