Work in progress
This part of Swaplements is still being built. Data can be incomplete or wrong here. If you spot something off, there is a contact form for that.
OKCancel
Mercedes 190E W201
Power hp
Torque Nm
Displacement L
Layout
Swap overview with verified parts, part numbers and sources.
M104 3.2 in Mercedes W201.
Documented from 30 recorded sources: 8 of the ten mandatory blocks are carried by two independent publishers, 1 does not apply. Internal confidence 76%.
(1Q) For the recommended factory 104.992 specification only: front-longitudinal inline-six, 15 degrees inclined to the right, 3,199 cc, 89.9 x 84.0 mm bore and stroke, 10.0:1 compression, four valves per cylinder, twin overhead camshafts with adjustable intake camshaft, duplex roller chain, HFM injection, 162 kW / 220 PS at 5,500 rpm and 310 Nm at 3,750 rpm. Other 104.99x suffixes differ: the cited 104.990/994 W140 data alone changes injection generation and output, while 104.996 uses 9.2:1 and 155 kW/300 Nm.
Status: SINGLE_SOURCE · Confidence 60%
Naturally aspirated petrol inline-six in the documented factory specifications. Preserve the donor-specific intake, hot-wire/LH or hot-film/HFM metering, throttle system, catalyst and calibration as one package unless a separately engineered and appr
Prefer a complete, running W124 E320 donor with M104.992, especially for a W201 2.6 base: retain the engine, correct W124 sump and accessories, intake/HFM package, exhaust front section/catalyst, engine harness, ECU, relays, throttle/EGAS components, sensors, starter/charging wiring and the chosen matching transmission hardware. Early non-ASR and plain-key donors are the simpler documented OEM-control route. A loose W210/W140/R129/G engine must not be treated as equivalent; identify its sump, management generation, immobiliser and accessory layout before purchase.
Acquire a complete running W124 E320/M104.992 donor plus a documented W201 2.6 baseline where possible. Keep the stamped engine, W124 sump and accessories, intake/HFM/throttle system, catalyst/front exhaust, engine and starter harnesses, ECU, relays, sensors, pedal/throttle parts, cooling interfaces and all matched transmission/clutch or converter components. From the W201 2.6 retain or source its six-cylinder mounting, steering-line, lock-carrier/radiator, large-driveline, brake and suspension architecture as verified for the actual VIN. Photograph connectors and labels, save donor documents and diagnostic data, and avoid mixing W210/W140/R129/G sump, management and immobiliser packages.
Status: VERIFIED · Confidence 90%
Use the W201 six-cylinder mounting architecture as the starting point and establish final height and angle with the exact donor sump, steering, stabiliser, bonnet, brake booster, exhaust and gearbox installed. A four-cylinder/RHD build sat too high until W201 2.6 mount brackets were sourced; the current W201/M104 guide and completed 2.6-based build support beginning with a 190E 2.6. Do not treat the guide's E500 rubber-mount recommendation as universally proven. Mock up and measure both sides before finalising brackets or mount stiffness.
Treat the sump, pickup and steering/stabiliser clearance as donor- and steering-side-specific. The W201 guide states that common M104 sumps usually require no modification, while a direct RHD 3.2 build reports stabiliser interference and states that the W124 sump works whereas its W210/W140 alternatives do not. These observations are not safely universal because steering side and donor differ. Before starting, identify the sump casting, fit the W201 2.6 mounting/stabiliser package, cycle steering and suspension, verify drain/service access and prove pickup-to-pan clearance and oil pressure; no pickup modification is documented here.
Documented manual routes are not interchangeable. The direct W201 guide uses a W124 717.430 five-speed with a route-specific single-mass flywheel and clutch; a completed 3.2 W201 instead uses a 2.3-16 Getrag five-speed, and a related M104.980 W201 documents 717.450-specific mount, linkage, flange and shaft changes. Choose one gearbox by exact code, bellhousing/input, torque condition, ratios, starter/flywheel/clutch and approval evidence. Do not combine the guide's clutch parts with the Getrag path without dimensional verification.
Use the mount and floor attachment pattern for the chosen gearbox, not a generic W201 mount. The 717.430 guide identifies a W201 five-speed mount route and notes extra floor attachment points on original four-speed cars; the related M104.980/717.450 build required mount modification, and the completed Getrag 3.2 car proves that a second route exists without publishing its dimensions. Position the engine and differential first, then verify output angle, tunnel clearance, exhaust and service access before drilling or fabrication.
Status: SUPPORTED · Confidence 70%
Match the shift mechanism to the exact gearbox and verify lever position, full gear engagement, reverse lockout and tunnel/console clearance. The 717.430 guide calls for the corresponding five-speed shifter; the related M104.980/717.450 W201 build shortened and modified linkage, while the completed 3.2/Getrag car confirms a different manual route without publishing linkage dimensions. Treat every linkage as gearbox-specific and perform static and road checks before trim installation.
Status: SUPPORTED · Confidence 68%
Keep flywheel, clutch diameter, pressure plate, release system, starter ring gear, crank-sensor/TDC provision and gearbox input as one verified route. The 717.430 guide documents a 240 mm single-mass package; an independent completed HFM W201 retained an M103 single-mass flywheel but added a TDC magnet, demonstrating that engine-management triggering can be part of the flywheel work. The completed 3.2/Getrag car confirms another route but not its part stack. Inspect runout and pilot/release travel, balance the assembly and validate starter and crank signal before installation; no part number is treated as universal.
Status: SUPPORTED · Confidence 72%
No combination-specific automatic transmission solution documented.
Status: NOT_APPLICABLE
No combination-specific automatic transmission solution documented.
Status: NOT_APPLICABLE
No combination-specific automatic transmission solution documented.
Status: NOT_APPLICABLE
No combination-specific automatic transmission solution documented.
Status: NOT_APPLICABLE
No combination-specific automatic transmission solution documented.
Status: NOT_APPLICABLE
Measure after the final engine, gearbox and differential mounts are loaded. The direct guide gives only an approximate 717.430 route and explicitly says exact length varies; an independent 3.2 W201 build shows a modified propeller shaft, while the related 717.450 build records insufficient slip engagement and different flange bolt circles with an attempted W201 2.6 automatic shaft. Specify front/rear flange pattern, compressed and extended length, centre bearing position, slip travel, phasing, joint angles and balance to a driveline specialist. No universal length is published here.
Select the final drive only after choosing gearbox ratios, tyre diameter, use and approval target. The W201/M104 guide documents a large-case 3.27 route with W201 2.6 half-shafts, while Mercedes shows that factory W201 2.6 manual and automatic ratios already differ. A related W201 M104.980/717.450 build documents different flange bolt circles and inadequate slip engagement when an unmatched shaft was tried. Therefore identify case size, ratio, ASD/ABS compatibility, input/output flanges and half-shafts as one system; inspect condition and calculate engine speed and attainable speed rather than copying 3.27 blindly.
Status: SUPPORTED · Confidence 74%
Retain a coherent donor injection package and verify the W201 low-pressure supply, return, filter, relay/fuse protection and tank venting against the exact LH/HFM/ME donor data. A completed HFM W201 build retained the W201 fuel pumps and added the required W124 harness interface; Mercedes documents HFM for 104.992/994/995 and LH for early 104.990. Do not infer pump pressure, flow or wiring from the family name. Confirm delivery under load, leak-test modified lines and preserve catalyst-compatible closed-loop control for the approval plan.
Status: SUPPORTED · Confidence 76%
(1Q) The direct W201/M104 guide uses the W201 2.6 lock-carrier and radiator architecture plus the power-steering cooler loop, and calls for early fan planning because brake-booster and radiator-pack space is tight. Treat this as one supplier's documented route, not a universal parts prescription. Match radiator, fan/shroud, thermostat, hoses and expansion/bleed points to the exact engine and accessory drive; pressure-test, verify fan control and measure coolant temperature during stationary, road and sustained-load testing before approval.
Naturally aspirated engine; charge-air cooling and boost piping are not applicable.
Start from the matching W124 M104 front pipe and catalyst for the 104.992 route, then fabricate or shorten only after the catalyst to suit the W201 centre/rear system, floor, gearbox and approval target. The W201 guide documents this route; the direct RHD build shows that the steering box can conflict with the M104 manifolds, so LHD and RHD layouts must be mocked up separately. Retain lambda-sensor positions, heat shields, ground clearance and service access, and obtain noise/emissions requirements before cutting. No universal length or part number is asserted.
Two working routes are documented: integrate a complete donor HFM system, or use a calibrated standalone ECU. For the OEM route, transfer the exact ECU, engine harness, relays, HFM/EGAS/throttle components and diagnostics from one donor; a completed W201 build integrated the W124 HFM wiring behind the battery, reused the M103 starter harness and retained W201 fuel-pump wiring. For the standalone route, a running M104.992 W201 uses Ecumaster EMU Classic. In both cases preserve crank/cam sensing, intake-cam control, lambda control, fan request, tachometer, warning lamps and diagnostic access, and do not mix LH, HFM 3.4, HFM 4.1 or ME assumptions.
Immobiliser and instrument work depends on the exact donor generation. The simplest documented OEM route is an early non-ASR W124 donor with plain key and its complete HFM/EGAS/relay package; later HFM/ME systems may require matched drive-authorisation components. General Mercedes diagnostics show that HFM can monitor start authorisation, starter lockout, clutch input and vehicle-speed signals. Define and test tachometer, coolant indication/warning, oil-pressure/level warning, charging lamp, MIL, speed input, reverse lights, neutral/start interlock and OBD individually. Do not delete a start-authorisation function without an approval and security plan.
Status: SUPPORTED · Confidence 78%
Base the upgrade on measured axle loads, intended top speed, tyres and the expert's brake-performance target. The factory W201 2.6 already has ventilated front discs, rear discs and ABS; direct M104.99x W201 examples use brake and suspension upgrades, while the current guide proposes a substantially larger package. These examples prove the need and feasibility of an engineered upgrade, not one universally approved parts list. Inspect hubs, bearings, bushes, springs, dampers and alignment; maintain wheel clearance and ABS function; document braking balance, repeated-stop performance, tyre ratings and axle loads before road use.
Status: SUPPORTED · Confidence 82%
The recurring failures are: buying by 'M104 3.2' instead of the stamped suffix; copying the FB guide's incorrect 104.991/W124 donor mapping; assuming every sump is plug-and-play; using four-cylinder mounts that leave the engine too high; discovering stabiliser/oil-pan or RHD steering/manifold interference after final mounting; mixing 717.430, 717.450/Getrag, clutch, shifter and flange parts; accepting approximate prop-shaft length without slip/angle measurement; integrating an incomplete HFM/EGAS/ASR/immobiliser package; and reusing heat-damaged engine wiring. One direct HFM project fired immediately after complete wiring integration, while the same thread records a no-spark/non-start case after wiring errors. Inspect upper and lower harness insulation, identify LH/HFM/ME and start-authorisation generation, plan brake-booster/radiator/fan space, retain diagnostics and complete emissions/noise/brake evidence before fabrication. The historical 190E 3.2 AMG is not proof of M104 fit: the service-introduction description identifies its engine as M103.983.
Status: VERIFIED · Confidence 90%
Technically feasible: independent completed W201/M104.99x cars exist with OEM HFM and standalone management, multiple manual gearboxes, modified driveline, cooling, brakes and suspension. German road approval remains project-specific because no cited source provides a complete combination certificate for M104.99x in W201. Before buying or cutting, agree the exact target VIN/model year, donor suffix/VIN, power, gearbox/final drive, emissions equipment and class, OBD, noise, mounts, sump/steering clearance, propeller shaft, axle loads, attainable speed, brakes, suspension, tyres and interacting modifications with the responsible expert, then preserve donor data, material/fabrication records and test results.
Status: SUPPORTED · Confidence 85%
Germany, as of 31.07.2026: for an M104.99x 3.2 conversion in the Mercedes W201, no test certificate valid for the complete combination is available in the sources reachable here. Where a test certificate is lacking, TUV Rheinland describes case-by-case assessment; the federal portal names, for vehicles modified accordingly, an expert report under § 21 StVZO followed by the official Einzelbetriebserlaubnis. The federal portal recommends clarifying eligibility for approval before the conversion and names changes to displacement, rated output, top speed and emissions or noise values as subject to registration. TUV SUD requires consideration of mutual interactions and points to brakes and suspension in the case of increased output. Before buying parts, the following must therefore be agreed in writing with the competent expert: target VIN and first registration, the exact M104 suffix and donor VIN, output, emissions stage including catalyst, lambda sensor and diagnostics, noise, gearbox and axle, engine and gearbox mounts, oil pan and steering, driveshaft, axle loads, brakes, suspension, and wheels and tyres. Treat the H-Kennzeichen separately: the W201 was built until 1993 and, according to Mercedes, the 104.990 appeared as early as 1991; nevertheless a general ten-year consideration alone is not sufficient. The detailed TUV SUD requirements catalogue permits engine and gearbox only as original or from the vehicle model range, and expressly names an engine from another model range as an inadmissible example. The historic 190 E 3.2 AMG does not help as M104 evidence, because its service documentation names the M103.983. Neither normal registration nor positive H eligibility is therefore promised here.
Status: SUPPORTED · Confidence 85%
FB Performance W201/M104 guide and related parts: https://fbperformance.de/m104-umbau-im-mercedes-w201-190e/
1. SickBenz - 190e W201 M104 clutch and engine swap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QRzfnT7bTE
2. SickBenz - 190e M104 Build: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPKcb7p66Yo
Both videos are from the same builder and therefore count as one source. No second independently indexable exact W201/M104.99x builder video was retained. Manual follow-up searches: 'W201 M104.992 swap build', '190E M104 3.2 gearbox', 'W201 M104 HFM wiring'.
No directly indexable Instagram post was retained. Manual follow-up searches: 'W201 M104.992', '190E M104 3.2 swap', '#w201m104'.
GRM direct RHD W201 M104 3.2 build: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/dont-change-the-operating-parameters-a-190e-build/137450/page6/
500Eboard completed M104 HFM W201 wiring build: https://www.500eboard.co/forums/threads/m104-hfm-swap-in-w201.13044/
500Eboard W201 2.6 complete-donor discussion: https://www.500eboard.co/forums/threads/m104-hfm-into-a-190e-2-6.15042/
Mercedes W201 club M104.980/717.450 reference build: https://w201-ev.de/forum/thread/19555-unki-s-190e-3-0-24v/?pageNo=11
Bring a Trailer completed M104 3.2/Getrag W201: https://bringatrailer.com/2016/02/12/3-25-speed-swapped-1993-mercedes-benz-190e-sportline/
30 findings | 17 hosts | 17 publisher keys | 26 reachable, 4 unreachable | 25 cited findings across 13 cited publisher keys | 16 German-language findings, 15 reachable | 48 documented searches. Technical-field status count: VERIFIED 5, SUPPORTED 16, SINGLE_SOURCE 2, TRANSFERRED 0, DISPUTED 0, OPEN 0, NOT_APPLICABLE 6. Main-publisher cluster test: no VERIFIED/SUPPORTED fields rest only on mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com.
Type
Power
Torque
ECU