New member. Here's the script '82 240D 4speed from Stuttgart complete maintenance record 2nd owner purchase at 225k. At 245k lost of power hard starting. I had a new timing chain. Pump, seal, engine n tranny mount installed. After repairs severe vibration and gradually hard starting. At 253k the engine would not turn over. I don't think a compression test was done? At 253k we swap motors after swap, runs good but smokes badly at starting. 260k Timing chain zings off at 50mph we tow the car home with the Christmas tree strapped to the top. What's my best and most economical next move? Sell the car with both non-running engines? What's that worth? Try to rebuild the original motor that has many new parts but, may have a bad cylinder? What's the difficulty level to have that original motor rebuilt and can you do any diagnosis while it's on an engine stand.
Or cut my losses and move up to 300TD if affordable. Thank you