W211 E320 M112 to M113 swap

[pablo2696]

Hello all!

I currently own a 2004 E320 loaded with a bunch of features, with only 40k miles, and in mint condition, which I like a lot. I have the possibility to purchase a 2004 E500 in fair condition with 60k miles at a very low price, so I was wondering what is involved in swapping the engines.

I know it's easier to just sell the E320 and keep the E500, but mine is in better shape, has more features, and I prefer it a lot (except for the M112 that feels underpowered...).

I’ve done my research and found that the axles, diff, cooling, and steering system do not need to be swapped. As of now, I know that wiring and exhaust manifolds also need to be swapped. As for the transmission, my E320 has the 722.618 and the E500 has the 722.633. It is my understanding that I also need to swap transmissions.

I was wondering if, size-wise, the M113 from a W211 would fit well into an E320 W211. Will the oil pan fit? Are the motor mounts the same (or easily adjustable)?

What other components need to be swapped? Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Stevester 500E]

I know it's easier to just sell the E320 and keep the E500, but mine is in better shape, has more features, and I prefer it a lot (except for the M112 that feels underpowered...).....

 

[gsxr]

Since the W211 came from the factory with both engines, everything should be plug+play. And yes, you have to swap the transmission too. The more difficult part could be the electronics / module coding / programming, as some modules are "locked" to others.

Ideally, you'd find an E500 (or later E550) wth all the options you want, in the right color combo, in nice condition, and buy that to replace your E320. Even if it costs more up front, you'll save a ton of headaches and dozens of hours of labor...

 

[PJmak]

Most likely will need an oilpan from a w210 m113

 

[Alphasud40]

Definitely agree with gsxr on that as well. Just the thought of all that work makes my head hurt. In some cases I get the appeal such as finding a E420 and swapping in a 5.0 M119 or in my other dream swapping an early 500SL M119 into my C126. Power train swapping a chassis that already comes with that option wouldn’t be worth the effort and create headaches for service shops.

 

[pablo2696]

Hello all,

I know it would be ideal to purchase an E500 instead of doing the swap; however, I haven’t seen one locally in the last couple of years that is in better shape than my E320.

As for the swap, I’m undertaking it myself with the help of a friend who is an MB technician and has his own independent shop. I'll be conducting the swap at my place, and I have all the necessary tools (engine hoist, garage pit, etc.), so I'm not too worried about labor costs. He has never done a swap of this kind, and even though it sounds straightforward, it might not be...

I’m viewing this more as a project and am quite excited to do it, but I want to consider absolutely everything involved before making the decision to actually proceed with it.

Thanks!

 

[gsxr]

I know it would be ideal to purchase an E500 instead of doing the swap; however, I haven’t seen one locally in the last couple of years that is in better shape than my E320.

Any chance you can import a car from the USA or elsewhere? Are the costs to transport / import duties excessive?

...and even though it sounds straightforward, it might not be...

I think mechanically it will be straightforward, but the electronics - don't even think about it without an SDS with "developer" mode enabled.

 

[pablo2696]

Any chance you can import a car from the USA or elsewhere? Are the costs to transport / import duties excessive?

I think mechanically it will be straightforward, but the electronics - don't even think about it without an SDS with "developer" mode enabled.

We do have an SDS with developer mode enabled so we have already completed 1% of the project!

I'm still researching to decide what is the best way to tackle the electronic programming... I'll post an update soon to let you all know whether I'm going to undertake this project or not. I'm very excited to do it, but it might be above my and my friends' skills to reprogram the ECU and all other controls that will be needed to update after the swap.

 

[pablo2696]

Hello all! I bought the E500 and I will do the swap during the following months (I'm not rushing). The donor car is a 2003 E500 platinum blue with gray interior and 59k miles. It runs and drives great but I rather keep my 2004 E320 (except the engine) that has 45k miles with black leather/black maple wood interior in mint condition.

I'll post some pictures soon. I will swap the M113 engine/trans into the E320 and vice-versa, and then I will sell the E500 with the M112 and keep the E320 with the M113 engine.

I'm still figuring out the best way to tackle this project coding-wise but this kind of swap has been done in the past and with the appropriate tools, it can be done without issues.

I'll post a detailed update soon sharing all the info so far. Thanks!

 

[JC220]

Hello all! I bought the E500 and I will do the swap during the following months (I'm not rushing). The donor car is a 2003 E500 platinum blue with gray interior and 59k miles. It runs and drives great but I rather keep my 2004 E320 (except the engine) that has 45k miles with black leather/black maple wood interior in mint condition.

I'll post some pictures soon. I will swap the M113 engine/trans into the E320 and vice-versa, and then I will sell the E500 with the M112 and keep the E320 with the M113 engine.

I'm still figuring out the best way to tackle this project coding-wise but this kind of swap has been done in the past and with the appropriate tools, it can be done without issues.

I'll post a detailed update soon sharing all the info so far. Thanks!

As GSXR mentioned already the modules are theft secured so have to "talk" to each other.

My w220 S500 had an engine ECU corrosion issue and I had to install another good used ECU. I got my automotive locksmith friend to transfer the security coding from my original ECU to the car and it worked fine. Car didn't know anything changed. Should be able to do that with Star but could get tricky if someone who is not experienced Is doing it.

The key, key receiver, transmission, engine and instrument cluster are all theft secured items coded together. If any one of them gets swapped without correct re coding the car will not start etc. At worst if someone messes with it you could fry or lose the dash original mileage etc.

 

[pablo2696]

As GSXR mentioned already the modules are theft secured so have to "talk" to each other.

My w220 S500 had an engine ECU corrosion issue and I had to install another good used ECU. I got my automotive locksmith friend to transfer the security coding from my original ECU to the car and it worked fine. Car didn't know anything changed. Should be able to do that with Star but could get tricky if someone who is not experienced Is doing it.

The key, key receiver, transmission, engine and instrument cluster are all theft secured items coded together. If any one of them gets swapped without correct re coding the car will not start etc. At worst if someone messes with it you could fry or lose the dash original mileage etc.

Yes, I am aware of that and that is the main reason why I still haven’t decided which route to take…

But basically I have two options:

1- Swap all modules that are theft related. This requieres no coding but will possibly loose the mileage since I would also have to swap clusters (10k more isn’t that bad…).

2- Swap only the ECU and code it to work with all other modules. For this option to work I would have to find the right person which is the reason why I haven’t decided how I’m going to proceed with the swap

 

[JC220]

I knew I posted it somewhere - it was (god forbid) on the "other" forum

Swap used ME 2.0 Engine ECU In / Virginise?

www.benzworld.org

Crack yours open and see if you have the same chip.

The additional complication you may have is going between versions of engines. Again, an automotive locksmith could remove and read the data in your E320 chip and swap only what is required onto the E500 ECU being swapped in. Or to Virginise the E500 ECU which would have the same end result. As far as I am aware to do this without full online SCN coding capability the chip needs to be desoldered from board and the contents read and saved down. Then they try adjusting the coding within and test it in car. Sometimes it takes two or three goes to get it 100% especially on this older stuff that they aren't working on every day.

 

[TerryA]

@pablo2696,
Maybe it’s a typo in post #9 above but just in case it’s not. The E500 engine is a M119 not an M113.

lol

 

[gsxr]

@pablo2696,
Maybe it’s a typo in post #9 above but just in case it’s not. The E500 engine is a M119 not an M113.

lol

Pablo is dealing with the W211 chassis E500, which does have the M113 engine. VERY confusing, as there was never a W210 E500, and the late W211 changed to the E550 with M273 engine. The "wrong"" E500 only existed for a few years, 2003-2006.

 

[pablo2696]

Pablo is dealing with the W211 chassis E500, which does have the M113 engine. VERY confusing, as there was never a W210 E500, and the late W211 changed to the E550 with M273 engine. The "wrong"" E500 only existed for a few years, 2003-2006.

Exactly... I wouldn't modify my w124036

All W211 and W212 models that were marketed as 550 (after 2006) in North America, were marketed as 500s in the rest of the world. This labeling also applies to other chassis like the ML, S, GL, G, and others.

 

[pablo2696]

I knew I posted it somewhere - it was (god forbid) on the "other" forum

Swap used ME 2.0 Engine ECU In / Virginise?

www.benzworld.org

Crack yours open and see if you have the same chip.

The additional complication you may have is going between versions of engines. Again, an automotive locksmith could remove and read the data in your E320 chip and swap only what is required onto the E500 ECU being swapped in. Or to Virginise the E500 ECU which would have the same end result. As far as I am aware to do this without full online SCN coding capability the chip needs to be desoldered from board and the contents read and saved down. Then they try adjusting the coding within and test it in car. Sometimes it takes two or three goes to get it 100% especially on this older stuff that they aren't working on every day.

I´ll check this. Thanks!!!

 

[gsxr]

All W211 and W212 models that were marketed as 550 (after 2006) in North America, were marketed as 500s in the rest of the world. This labeling also applies to other chassis like the ML, S, GL, G, and others.

Why oh why does Mercedes do such STUPID things like this?

 

[Hondahead84]

What was the end result on this? I’m looking at snagging a crashed E500 for $800 and E320 with mechanical issues for $875. From the information provided here I’m thinking about pulling the trigger.