This rare Mercedes-Benz M117 oil cooler system was removed from a Gen II 560SEL which spans the years of 1986-1991. This oil cooler system was optioned on hot climate models to keep engine oil temperatures in a healthy range which had added performance benefits of keeping oil temperature within spec during spirited drives and people would use them on track prepped M117 powered cars. Included in the kit is the oil cooler radiator, plastic splash shield, factory modified oil filter housing, gaskets, oil pump, vibration damper rings, oil lines, and VDO oil pressure sender. This rare Mercedes-Benz M117 oil cooler system kit is being auctioned out of Charlotte, NC and the seller is able to assist with worldwide shipping needs for the buyer.
These are all original Mercedes-Benz parts that were optioned on Rest of World hot climate cars to keep engine oil temperature cooler than cars without the auxiliary oil cooler. This is a NOS (new old stock) kit and appears to have never been used previously. OM6XX diesel cars had a setup similar to this, but was rarely featured on the M117 5.5-liter cars.
Parts included are:
The oil filter housing is exceedingly rare as it has the plumbing to pipe in the oil cooler lines as the stockNorth American M117s without this option never had. The oil cooler radiator sits behind the front passenger bumper where it collects fresh air. The splash shield protects it from water and debris from the fender area.
NOS Mercedes-Benz boxes are included in the oil cooler kit. The lines and pump still have their factory cadmium plating on the hardware and show in excellent original condition. All of the orifices are sealed with caps to ensure no foreign debris has entered the system.
This rare Mercedes-Benz M117 oil cooler system kit is being auctioned out of Charlotte, NC and the seller is able to assist with worldwide shipping needs for the buyer.
Our North American 560 M117 engined cars have always been susceptible to hot weather. We’ve been there and are familiar with that orange temp needle taking off from its 80 degree notch when you’re sitting in traffic on a hot July day. It’s stressful and means windows down, heat on, A/C off, and a light bit of throttle to get the engine fan spinning as the auxiliary fans tirelessly fan heat out of the radiator. Also, why do the Europeans get all the good stuff? Most Euro 560 cars got this oil cooler. Us North American plebians didn’t have this option even though our climate in summer is brutal. This is a superb upgrade to your M117 if you live in the desert or in the South where the weather beats these cars up on hot days. This oil cooler kit is very rare to see nowadays and to find one in this condition (which is new) is unheard of. If you care about keeping your engine cool during the summer months, this is a worthwhile upgrade to your M117.
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3 Comments
@SwissBliss An oil cooler adds a safety buffer against heat-related failures by preventing heat soak and improving performance under load. Cooler oil results in more stable oil pressure and less breakdown. When oil gets too hot, it thins out and pressure drops, which can lead to power loss during aggressive driving. By helping maintain consistent oil pressure, an oil cooler supports reliable engine performance even under demanding conditions. Oil does more than lubricate, it also cools and cushions engine components. Cooler oil maintains proper viscosity, protects bearings, pistons, and internal engine plastics, and reduces metal-to-metal wear. High heat degrades oil quickly, but by lowering oil temperatures, an oil cooler slows oxidation, reduces sludge formation, and keeps additives working longer, resulting in cleaner oil for more miles. The European (UK and Germany) and the Japanese market 300-hp M117 W126 560SEL and 560SEC models were equipped from the factory with this engine oil cooler. For driving at sustained high speeds, Mercedes-Benz has long prioritized maximizing cooling capacity, newer AMG's have several engine oil coolers. The engine oil filter housing incorporates a built-in thermostat that allows the oil to reach normal operating temperature before circulating and cooling oil temperature. I have previously installed three of the same engine oil cooler setups on my 560SEL vehicles in the past. While some may argue that an oil cooler is not strictly necessary, from my perspective increased cooling contributes directly to improved engine longevity and performance.@blueridgemb Can you help explain?I am curious as to how much a difference this makes... I live in Dallas and have never really had overheating issues in my SEC (crazy, I know, especially considering the battles I have faced in other cars) -- and TBH I never connected oil temperature with overheating, I always considered it a cooling system deficiency. I am curious what others think, both who have added this after experiencing cooling system issues, and those that already have it installed.$600 bid placed by @Payl
$525 bid placed by @BD450SL
$429 bid placed by @rideair