10
verified 1990 mercedes engines
1990 Used Mercedes Engines For Sale
10 donor-pulled 1990 Mercedes engines ready to ship — the 124-Type 300E (2.6L and 3.0L, 2WD and 4Matic AWD), 300CE, 300TE and 300D; the 126-Type 300SE, 300SEL and the 3.5L turbodiesel 350; and the 129-Type 300SL roadster — new for 1990. Every unit is VIN-matched to your chassis Type code and VIN engine digits, compression-tested by ASE-certified technicians, photographed before shipment, and backed by up to a 3-year warranty plus 30-day money-back. Free freight nationwide.
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Compression-Tested & Verified
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Free Nationwide Shipping
Browse 1990 Mercedes Engines by Model
Pick your 1990 Mercedes model to see exact fitments in stock. Not sure which chassis Type code you have? Text us your VIN and a specialist confirms the match.
Why Buy a 1990 Mercedes Engine from Auto Power Source
A 1990 Mercedes is now a thirty-six-year-old car, so provenance matters more than price. Every 1990 unit we list is donor-pulled, cataloged by chassis Type code and VIN engine digits, and held in our climate-controlled warehouse pending sale. Each one moves through our six-step inspection — VIN-matching, compression testing, noise & smoke verification, full visual inspection, multi-angle photography, and palletized shipping.
1990 still wears the old number-first naming, and that is precisely what trips buyers up. A 300SE is a 126-Type S Class; a 300E is a 124-Type mid-size; a 300SL is a 129-Type roadster; a 350 is an OM603 turbodiesel. Four cars, one number, no shared engine — and in our own catalog both 126-Type S Class engines are filed under the 300E badge, so the badge cannot be trusted on its own. The 300E adds a second trap: it is scoped by the VIN 6th and 7th digits — "VIN 30" for the 3.0L, "VIN 26" for the 2.6L — and the 3.0L splits again into 2WD and 4Matic AWD. Our ASE-certified technicians compression-test every cylinder and run a leak-down evaluation before any 1990 Mercedes engine is cleared for sale — the 2.6L and 3.0L gasoline sixes and the 3.5L OM603 turbodiesel all get the same treatment — and we check every one of those traps against your VIN rather than the badge on the trunk. You pay a fraction of dealer-new pricing for identical Mercedes engineering, ship free on a heavy-duty pallet anywhere in the continental U.S., and get up to a 3-year warranty plus 30-day money-back. Not sure whether your car is a 124, 126 or 129 Type? Text your VIN and we will confirm.
📱 Fastest way to match: text us your VIN, get options in minutes.Text Your VIN →
Your 1990 Mercedes Engine Options: Compared
Most 1990 Mercedes owners face four real choices when their engine fails:
← Swipe sideways to see all columns →
| Option |
Cost |
Reliability |
Warranty |
Fitment Match |
| Used OEM (this collection) |
$$$ Best Value |
High |
Up to 3 years |
VIN-matched |
| New OEM (dealer) |
$$$$$ 2-4× more |
High |
Manufacturer |
Exact |
| Aftermarket / Reman |
$$$$ |
Varies |
6-12 mo |
May adapt |
| Junkyard |
$ Cheapest |
Unknown |
None |
DIY |
Tested used OEM hits the sweet spot — original Mercedes engineering, at a fraction of the cost, for a car the dealer no longer stocks new engines for.
1990 Mercedes Engine Buying Guide
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Read the chassis Type code, not the badge. Mercedes catalogs 1990 engines by body Type — 124 (300E / 300CE / 300TE / 300D), 126 (300SE / 300SEL / 350) and 129 (300SL). A 126-Type 300SE engine and a 124-Type 300E engine wear a similar number and do not interchange. In our catalog both 126-Type S Class units are actually filed under the 300E badge, which is exactly why the Type code wins.
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Know what is new in 1990: the 129-Type SL. 1990 is the first US year of the 129-Type (R129) roadster, which replaces the long-running 107-Type that ran through 1989. Our single 1990 SL unit is cataloged as "300SL Engine 129 Type" with no displacement in the title, so a 300SL or 560SL listing from 1989 or earlier is a different chassis carrying a different engine. Check the Type code before you cross-shop an older roadster listing.
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Read the VIN 6th and 7th digits on the 300E, and check for 4Matic. Our 1990 300E listings are scoped by VIN digits rather than by date — "VIN 30" is the 3.0L, "VIN 26" is the 2.6L. The 3.0L then splits again into an "exc. AWD" unit and an "AWD (4Matic)" unit. Displacement and driveline both have to match, and neither is legible from the badge on the trunk.
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Separate gas from diesel before anything else. Two of our 1990 listings are diesels and they are filed apart: the "300D (Includes Cd/D/Sd/Td)" badge covers the 124-Type 300D, while the plain "350" badge is a 126-Type car carrying the 3.5L OM603 turbodiesel inline-six of the 350SD and 350SDL. Neither shares anything with the gasoline 300E or 300SE sitting next to it under a nearly identical number.
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Match displacement and cylinder count, then run the donor VIN. Every 1990 unit we stock is an inline-six — the 2.6L and 3.0L gasoline sixes and the 3.5L OM603 turbodiesel. Mercedes did sell V8 cars in 1990, the 420SEL, 560SEL, 560SEC and the new 500SL among them, but we hold none of them in 1990 stock, so a V8 listing you are comparing against is not on this page. Note too that 1990 still uses the old number-first names (300SE / 300SEL / 350SD); the S Class is renamed S320 / S420 / S500 / S600 from 1994, so translate before you compare a newer listing. We provide the donor VIN on request so you can verify mileage and history before you commit.
Our ASE-certified technicians verify every one of these points against your VIN before any engine ships.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the warranty on a 1990 Mercedes engine?
Up to 3 years, depending on the specific unit. The exact warranty term is listed on each product page.
What does compression-tested mean?
ASE-certified technicians compression-test every cylinder and run a leak-down evaluation before a 1990 Mercedes engine is cleared for sale.
How long until delivery?
Prep and ship time is 3-5 business days. Transit time is 2-3 business days via freight carrier after dispatch.
Can I see photos before I buy?
Yes. Multi-angle photos of the actual unit are sent before payment, for your approval.
Do I need my VIN?
Strongly recommended. 1990 Mercedes engines split by chassis Type code, displacement, gas versus diesel, and on the 300E by the VIN 6th and 7th digits plus 2WD versus 4Matic AWD. The VIN is the fastest way to land on the right side of every one of those splits.
What if I do not approve the photos?
Every dollar back — no restocking fees, no return freight charges.
Why is this cheaper than the dealer?
It is the same Mercedes-engineered OEM unit, pulled from a low-mileage donor rather than built new — and the dealer no longer stocks new engines for a 1990 car at all.
When can I reach customer service?
24h Mon-Sat on 1-877-313-8995, or text your VIN any time and a specialist replies with matching options.
46,000+
engines + transmissions shipped
0%
fitment-related returns
All 50
states covered, free freight
Excellent
Customer Reviews
rated on Trustpilot
Our 6-Step Inspection & Shipping Process
Every 1990 Mercedes engine we ship has been through these six steps:
1. VIN-MatchingWe match the donor VIN to your VIN to confirm chassis Type code, VIN engine digits, emissions calibration, and drivetrain fit.
2. Tested & VerifiedASE-certified technicians compression-test every cylinder and run a leak-down evaluation on each engine.
3. Noise & Smoke VerificationUnits are run to verify normal mechanical sound and clean operation — catches wear static tests miss, and matters doubly on a turbodiesel.
4. Visual InspectionEvery accessible component is inspected: manifolds, valve covers, accessories, wiring harnesses and the age-sensitive engine loom these cars are known for.
5. Photograph & CatalogMulti-angle photos sent to you BEFORE we ship, for your approval.
6. Palletize & ShipStrapped on a heavy-duty wooden pallet, shipped via freight at no charge.
What Our Customers Say
Rated Excellent by our customers on Trustpilot.
★★★★★
Transaction was perfect
"Found me the right engine at a great price. Got it in 2 days and installed the car the next day. Runs absolutely beautiful."
— Kevin Graham, 2026-04-29
★★★★★
Repeat customer
"AutoPowerSource is a great company. I've used them several times for used motors. Low mileage when other companies gave up."
— Curtis Haines, 2025-12-23
★★★★★
Highly recommend Mike
"Mike reached out first thing in the morning regarding my inquiry for a used engine. Very informative and helpful."
— Beatrice, 2026-03-31
★★★★★
Great experience
"Daisy kept me in the loop every step. My original engine was damaged before shipping; she found a different one quickly."
— Bryan Perkins, 2026-03-25
Our Photos-Before-Shipment Guarantee
Before any 1990 Mercedes engine leaves our warehouse, we send you multi-angle photographs. You approve. If you do not approve, you get every dollar back — no questions, no restocking fees, no return freight charges. On top of 30-day money-back and up to a 3-year warranty.
✉ Email Us at info@autopowersource.com
