250 SE with a 220 engine

[zak]

I have always had a soft spot of a 111 coupe. I let a dark green 280SE coupe slip thru my fingers back in early 2000s. Still regret it and still look around for one but can't pay $60+ K..
There is a 250 SE listed on BAT that looks decent, but it has a replacement 220SE - M127 replacement engine. This seems very odd and a downgrade in performance.
The 220 SE coupe seem to be valued less then the 250se and 280se.
What are the valid reasons for this ?
Are the 220se engine and the 230 sl engine virtually the same or not ?
I have seen a few 220se's upgrades with 280 engines but never the reverse?

thanks,

jz

[ja17]

The 220 SE and 230SL engines are not the same. Most notable is the mechanical fuel injection pump which is two plunger on the 220SE and six plunger on the 230SL. Lots of other minor differences are found. The 220SE produces less horsepower than the 230SL engine. The 250SE engine also uses a six plunger injection pump and produces more horse power than the 220SE and 230SL.

[zak]

Thank you Joe. The union of the 220se engine in a 250se body seems like a step backward and  a bad marriage.
I will watch to see what price it brings.

jz

[wwheeler]

I agree with Joe. The 220SE engine isn't bad, but the injection system is from a different era. I have both a 220SE and a 280SE and I know both well. The reason for the lower price is lower horsepower and they made many more 220SE coupes than 250SE or 280SE coupes. http://mercedes.heckflosse.nl/ - go to two door and then production numbers. Look how high the values are for the 3.5 coupe versus the six cylinder cars. Higher horsepower = higher value.

That being said, the 220SE and 250SE have nicer appointments than the later 280SE cars. Solid chrome plated seat hinges, wood covered binnacle, chrome rear view mirror and the list goes on. That is just not as important to some who value horsepower over the better appointments.



 

[rgafitanu@gmail.com]

Very interesting that auction. I also intend to sell my 250SE coupe in the future. Unfortunately I also have a 230SL engine in it but the engine was swapped before my time. Everything else matches, gearbox, year, colors.