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maros733 · 02-08-2013, 09:06 PM

Dear ecomodders,

I have a chance to buy a nice Mercedes 250SE Coupe (W111 platform). Car is in the middle of restoration, but it is missing engine and transmission. I was thinking of diesel conversion with modern engine and 6-speed manual gearbox and use it as highway cruiser for long trips. Unfourtunately (or luckily?) this car has no electronics, CAN bus or ABS sensors, which is normally necessary to fire up modern ECU operated engine. There are other problems too, like connecting it with mechanical speedo and rev counter. What should I do? Is there any crate diesel manufacturer with engine and transmission that would fit? Or should I buy used donor vehicle (like older 1.9TDI VW Passat) and transplant all the electrics if possible? Or it is just not possible? Car itself is quite light, about 1200kg without engine, but can support heavy one.

- My budget is about 22 000€, including work (I want it to be build by professionals, which means about 20€/hour of labour)
- Displacement should not be over 2.5L, 1.9L would be nice
- I want to get reasonable mileage (about 5-6 L/100km or less)
- Parts and service available in Europe

Thanks for any advice.

02-08-2013, 09:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
maros733 EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Slovakia Posts: 3 Duck - '07 Citroen C3 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Mercedes 250SE Coupe ('65) - Engine choice Dear ecomodders, I have a chance to buy a nice Mercedes 250SE Coupe (W111 platform). Car is in the middle of restoration, but it is missing engine and transmission. I was thinking of diesel conversion with modern engine and 6-speed manual gearbox and use it as highway cruiser for long trips. Unfourtunately (or luckily?) this car has no electronics, CAN bus or ABS sensors, which is normally necessary to fire up modern ECU operated engine. There are other problems too, like connecting it with mechanical speedo and rev counter. What should I do? Is there any crate diesel manufacturer with engine and transmission that would fit? Or should I buy used donor vehicle (like older 1.9TDI VW Passat) and transplant all the electrics if possible? Or it is just not possible? Car itself is quite light, about 1200kg without engine, but can support heavy one. - My budget is about 22 000€, including work (I want it to be build by professionals, which means about 20€/hour of labour) - Displacement should not be over 2.5L, 1.9L would be nice - I want to get reasonable mileage (about 5-6 L/100km or less) - Parts and service available in Europe Thanks for any advice.