MeanRedSpider
Active Member
My parents have, unfortunately, managed to "hydraulic" the engine on their 02 E320CDI - floodwater under a railway bridge - had no idea that it was so deep.
This is particularly sad because their car is immaculate inside and out.
In the meantime, we have a 2001 Y reg E320CDI, which, as far as I can tell, is absolutely identical save for the colour. Ours, however, is far more "used" inside (because it has been far more used - 2 dogs and 3 kids and motor racing etc etc used)
A plan I'm hatching is to transplant the engine (and maybe gearbox) from one to the other depending upon what value the insurance company put on the written-off car (they have, already, written it off).
My question is relatively simple: what sort of a job is an engine transplant on these cars? I'd describe myself as a very competent DIY mechanic - I prepare and maintain my own race car (albeit 60's/70's technology) but I know that swapping a modern engine can be an epic spannering job. Is keeping the gearbox attached a help or a hinderance? I've towed my race car a fair bit with our car so I'm sure that will have taken a bit of a toll on the 'box.
Finally, would I be better just pulling the good bits off the written-off car and generally breaking it for spares?
Both cars are reasonably rust-free (following extensive Mercedes warranty work) and both have done a shade over 110k miles.
Thanks (and happy new year)
Richard
This is particularly sad because their car is immaculate inside and out.
In the meantime, we have a 2001 Y reg E320CDI, which, as far as I can tell, is absolutely identical save for the colour. Ours, however, is far more "used" inside (because it has been far more used - 2 dogs and 3 kids and motor racing etc etc used)
A plan I'm hatching is to transplant the engine (and maybe gearbox) from one to the other depending upon what value the insurance company put on the written-off car (they have, already, written it off).
My question is relatively simple: what sort of a job is an engine transplant on these cars? I'd describe myself as a very competent DIY mechanic - I prepare and maintain my own race car (albeit 60's/70's technology) but I know that swapping a modern engine can be an epic spannering job. Is keeping the gearbox attached a help or a hinderance? I've towed my race car a fair bit with our car so I'm sure that will have taken a bit of a toll on the 'box.
Finally, would I be better just pulling the good bits off the written-off car and generally breaking it for spares?
Both cars are reasonably rust-free (following extensive Mercedes warranty work) and both have done a shade over 110k miles.
Thanks (and happy new year)
Richard
