The Mercedes-Benz M 104 is an automobile straight-six engine produced from 1989 through 1998. It has a double overhead cam design with 4 valves per cylinder, and used a crossflow cylinder head. It replaced the M 103 and was replaced by the M 112 V6 starting in 1997. The bore pitch on all M 104 engines is 97 mm, the same as M 103 engines.

Volkswagen 2.8 L VR6 M 104 E 28 (M104.900 only)

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. An agreement was reached and the engines were sold semi-completed to Mercedes-Benz. This version is unrelated to other engines designated M 104. Only the engine cover and air cleaner housing is by Mercedes-Benz.

1989: 3.0 L M 104 E 30

Expansion of the product line

This 24V was introduced as a sports car resp. top model completing the line-up of M 103 12V engines. The M 104 featured dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder.

The M 104 featured KE-Jetronic fuel injection, cylinder specific ignition-timing, variable valve timing and under-piston cooling jets.

Specifications

Engine power at 6400/min or 6300/min (300 SL-24): (without catalytic converter). Version R 129 300 SL-24 has version of 3 L M 104 engine. Torque at 4600/min: (with or without catalytic converter) Bore and stroke: Compression ratio: 10:1

Applications

1989–1992 W 124 300 E-24 1989–1992 S 124 300 TE-24 1989–1992 C 124 300 CE-24 1992–1993 A 124 300 CE-24 convertible 1989–1993 R 129 300 SL-24 1989–1993 Isdera Spyder 036i 3.0-24V

1992: 2.8 L M 104 E 28 (non VR6)

Replacement of the single-cam engines

The M 104 E 28 replaced the old single-cam M 103 engines. The W 124 280 E (1992–1993) get power of .

Specifications

Engine power at 5500/min: or on SsangYong models Torque at 3750/min: or on SsangYong models Bore and stroke:

Lubrication system: pressure circulation Oil capacity: Coolant capacity: Camshaft drive: duplex roller chain Starter motor: 1.7 kW electrical motor Ignition system: ignition mapping control

Applications

1992–1995 W 124 280 E · E 280 1992–1998 W 140 300 SE 2.8 · S 280 1993–1997 W 202 C 280 1993–1998 R 129 SL 280 1995–1997 W 210 E 280 1997–2004 SsangYong Chairman H CM500S 2003–2006 Y200 SsangYong Rexton I RX 280

1992: 3.2 L M 104 E 32

Replacement of the 3.0 L engine to reduce engine speed

The M 104 E 32 replaced the 3.0 L double-cam M 104 E 30.

For the , the compression ratio is the same 10.0:1 on all W 210, R 129, and W 140 but it did differ from 9.2:1 to 10.0:1 on W 124 (M104.992).W 140 pre-facelift model 300 SE/SEL, W 140 facelift model S 320/L and R 129 SL 320 used more powerful version of 3.2 L M 104 engine which produced .

Specifications

Engine power at 5500/min: Torque at 3750/min: Bore and stroke: Compression ratio: 9.2:1 to 10.0:1 Intake valves: Exhaust valves Starter motor: 1.7 kW electrical motor Ignition system: electronic ignition system

Applications

Mercedes-Benz 1991–1998 W 140 300 SE & V 140 300 SEL · S 320 & S 320 L 1992–1995 W 124 320 E · E 320 1992–1996 S 124 320 TE · E 320 T 1992–1996 C 124 320 CE · E 320 1992–1997 A 124 320 CE · E 320 convertible 1993–1998 R 129 SL 320 1994–1997 W 463 G 320 1995–1997 W 210 E 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

AMG 3.4 (3.3 L)

Overview

There were 3.3 L conversions done to the 3.0 L M104.980 by AMG, during the early cooperation with Daimler Benz.

AMG developed a 3.3 L M 104 that was used principally in the 300 E AMG 3.4, AMG 3.4 CE and 300 TE 3.4 AMG (W 124) vehicles, produced between 1990 and 1992. A few of these engines were originally installed in the SL 3.4 AMG.

Specifications

Engine power: at 6500/min Torque: at 4500/min Bore and stroke: Lubrication system: pressure circulation Oil capacity: Coolant capacity: Starter motor: 1.7 kW electrical motor Ignition system: Bosch KE-Jetronic (CIS-E) injection

AMG 3.6 L M 104 E 36 AMG

Overview

There were 3.6 L conversions done to both the M 103 and M 104 by Brabus, among others.

AMG developed a M 104 that was used in the C 36 AMG (W 202) from M104.941, the E 36 AMG (W 124) from M104.992, the E 36 AMG (W 210), and the G 36 AMG (W 463) vehicles.

Performance

The AMG 3.6 M 104 was rated at at 5,750/min and of torque at 4,000/min using the HFM engine management system. Bore and stroke is with a compression ratio of 10.5:1. AMG later conceded that since the engine was hand modified, power outputs could vary slightly from .

Modification

The boost in displacement was obtained by boring the 2.8 L M 104 block by and using a highly modified version of the crankshaft from the 3.5 L OM 603 to increase throw by ; 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

Ssangyong (South Korean brand) made a 3.6 L variant of the M 104 inline-six engine based on the 2.8 L model, producing on earlier versions, for its Chairman model, a full-size luxury sedan. The Chinese Roewe R95L, based on the SsangYong Chairman, also uses a 3.6 L version of the M 104 engine.

Isdera

Last versions of the German sports car Isdera Spyder 036i after 1990 also use a 3.6 L AMG variant of the M 104, producing .

Turbo conversions

Turbocharger kits were offered for both the M 103 and M 104 engines by Turbo Technics, Mosselman, Lotec, MAD Modify, Turbobandit and other tuners. These conversions typically raised engine output to between , depending 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 M 103-M 104 engines are available from later tuners in Europe and Asia.

References