As Mercedes needed a compact 6-cylinder for their Vito, they agreed with Volkswagen to use their VR6 engine, which they then designated M104.900.^[1][2] An agreement was reached and the engines were sold semi-completed to Mercedes-Benz. This version is unrelated to other engines designated M104. Only the engine cover and aircleaner housing is by Mercedes-Benz.

This 3.0 L (2,960 cc) 24v was introduced as a sports car resp. top model completing the line-up of M103 12V engines. The M104 featured dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. The M103 and M104.98x were later replaced by the 2.8-litre and 3.2-litre versions of the M104.

The 3.0 L (2,960 cc) M104 featured KE-Jetronic fuel injection, cylinder specific ignition-timing, variable valve timing and under-piston cooling jets.

Specifications

• Engine power @ 6400 rpm or 6300 (300SL-24): 217 to 228 hp (162 to 170 kW; 220 to 231 PS) (without catalytic converter). Only R129 300SL-24 has 170 kW (231 PS; 228 hp) 272 N⋅m (201 lb⋅ft) version of 3-liter M104 engine.^{[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]}
• Torque @ 4600 rpm: 265 N⋅m (195 lb⋅ft) or 272 N⋅m (201 lb⋅ft) (without catalytic converter)
• Bore and stroke: 88.5 mm × 80.2 mm (3.48 in × 3.16 in)
• Compression ratio: 10:1

Applications

• 1989–1992 C124 300 CE-24
• 1991–1992 A124 300 CE-24
• 1988–1993 R129 300 SL-24
• 1990–1993 W124 300 E-24
• 1990–1993 S124 300 TE-24
• 1987–1993 Isdera Spyder 036i 3.0-24V

In 1993, two capacities replaced the 3.0 litre: a 2.8 L; 170.8 cu in (2,799 cc) replaced the old single-cam M103 engine and the 3.2 litre M104.99x replaced the double-cam M104.98x. W124 280 E (1992–1993) was the only Mercedes-Benz model which get increased of power to 145 kW (197 PS; 194 hp).^{[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]}

Specifications for 2.8 L

• Engine power @ 5500 rpm: 142 kW (193 PS; 190 hp) or 145–148 kW (197 PS; 195 hp/201PS; 199 hp) on SsangYong models
• Torque @ 3750 rpm: 270 N⋅m (199 lb⋅ft) or 271–277 N·m (199–204 lb·ft) on SsangYong models
• Bore and stroke: 89.9 mm × 73.5 mm (3.54 in × 2.89 in)
• Lubrication system: pressure circulation
• Oil capacity: 7.5 litres (2.0 US gal; 1.6 imp gal)
• Coolant capacity: 9 litres (2.4 US gal; 2.0 imp gal)
• Camshaft drive: duplex roller chain
• Starter motor: 1.7 kW electrical motor
• Ignition system: ignition mapping control

Applications

• 1993–1997 W202 C 280
• 1995–1997 W210 E 280
• 1992–1993 W124 280 E
• 1994–1996 W124 E 280
• 1993–1998 W140 300 SE 2.8, S 280
• 1993–1998 R129 SL 280
• 1997–2004 W124 SsangYong Chairman H CM500S
• 2003–2006 Y200 SsangYong Rexton I RX 280

For the 3.2 L (3,199 cc), the compression ratio is the same 10.0:1 on all W210, R129, and W140 but it did differ from 9.2:1 to 10.0:1 on W124 (M104.992).^[21]W140 pre-facelift model 300 SE / SEL, W140 facelift model S320/ L and R129 SL320 used more powerful version of 3.2-liter M104 engine which produced 170 kW (231 PS; 228 hp).^{[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]}

Specifications

• Engine power @ 5500 rpm: 162 kW (220 PS; 217 hp) or 170 kW (231 PS; 228 hp)
• Torque @ 3750 rpm: 310 N⋅m (229 lb⋅ft) or 315 N⋅m (232 lb⋅ft)
• Bore and stroke: 89.9 mm × 84 mm (3.54 in × 3.31 in)
• Compression ratio: 9.2:1 to 10.0:1
• Intake valves: 35 mm (1.4 in)
• Exhaust valves 31 mm (1.2 in)
• Starter motor: 1.7 kW electrical motor
• Ignition system: electronic ignition system

Applications

• Mercedes-Benz
  • 1993–1994 W124 320 E
  • 1994–1996 W124 E 320
  • 1995–1997 W210 E 320
  • 1991–1993 W140 300 SE, 300 SEL
  • 1993–1999 W140 S 320
  • 1994–1998 R129 SL 320
  • 1994–1998 W463 G 320
• Roewe
  • 2011–2017 W5
  • 2008–2009 R95
• SsangYong
  • 1997-2017 Chairman
  • 1996-2006 Korando
  • 2007-2014 Kyron
  • 1993–1999 Musso
  • 2001–2006 Rexton Y200
  • 2004–2013 Rodius
• Heuliez
  • 1996 Intruder
• Status & Class
  • 1999 OPAC Contender XG

There were 3.3 L conversions done to the 3.0 L M104.980 by AMG, prior to their formal cooperation with Daimler Benz.

AMG developed a 3.3 L M104 that was used principally in the 300E AMG 3.4, AMG 3.4 CE and 300TE-3.4 AMG (Mercedes-Benz W124) vehicles, produced between 1988-1993. A few of these engines were originally installed in the SL 3.4 AMG.

Specifications for AMG 3.4 (3.3 L)

• Engine power @ 6500 rpm: 200 kW (272 PS; 268 hp)
• Torque @ 4500 rpm: 330 N⋅m (243 lb⋅ft)
• Bore and stroke: 91.5 mm × 84 mm (3.60 in × 3.31 in)
• Lubrication system: pressure circulation
• Oil capacity: 7.5 litres (2.0 US gal; 1.6 imp gal)
• Coolant capacity: 9 litres (2.4 US gal; 2.0 imp gal)
• Starter motor: 1.7 kW electrical motor
• Ignition system: Bosch KE-Jetronic (CIS-E) injection

There were 3.6 L conversions done to both the M103 and M104 by Brabus, among others.

AMG developed a 3.6 L; 220.1 cu in (3,606 cc) M104 that was used in the W202 C36 AMG (W202) from M104.941, the W124 E36 AMG (W124) from M104.992, the E36 AMG (W210), and the G36 AMG (W463) vehicles.

The AMG 3.6 M104 was rated at 276 hp (206 kW; 280 PS) at 5,750 rpm and 284 lb⋅ft (385 N⋅m) of torque at 4,000 rpm using the HFM engine management system. Bore and stroke is 91 mm × 92.4 mm (3.58 in × 3.64 in) with a compression ratio of 10.5. AMG later conceded that since the engine was hand modified, power outputs could vary slightly from 276 to 287 hp (206 to 214 kW; 280 to 291 PS).

The boost in displacement was obtained by boring the 2.8 litre M104 block by 2.1 mm (0.083 in) and using a highly modified version of the crankshaft from the 3.5L OM603 to increase throw by 18.9 mm (0.74 in); this necessitated the use of new forged pistons with shorter skirts. A larger intake crossover pipe, free-flowing exhaust, a unique intake camshaft, minor changes to the cylinder head, and modifications to the HFM fuel computer also contribute to the increase in power.

Ssangyong (South Korean brand) made a 3.6 litre variant of M104 inline-six engine based on the 2.8 litre model, producing 248 hp (185 kW; 251 PS) or 276 hp (206 kW; 280 PS) on earlier versions, for its Chairman model, a full-size luxury sedan. Chinese car Roewe R95L which based on SsangYong Chairman also uses 3.6 litre version of M104 engine.

Last versions of German sports car Isdera Spyder 036i after 1990 also uses 3.6 litre AMG variant of M104, producing 268 (200 kW; 272 PS) or 282 hp (210 kW; 286 PS).

Turbocharger kits were offered for both the M103 and M104 engines by Turbo Technics, Mosselman, Lotec, MAD Modify, Turbobandit and other tuners. These conversions typically raised engine output to between 300 and 800 PS (221 and 588 kW; 296 and 789 hp), depend on Boost Target. During the 1990s UK customers were able to buy new vehicles equipped with a Turbo Technics conversion directly from Mercedes dealer Hughes of Beaconsfield (limited run of 75 conversions). Today turbocharger kits for M103-M104 engines are available from later tuners in Europe and Asia.

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