'75 450SL's value? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rickjordan · #1 11-12-2002, 05:26 PM

I don't own a SL, yet. I have started looking in the local papers and on E-Bay. Just found a local car lot advertising a '75 450 with 103,261 miles, and it has both tops. It also has the hubcapped wheels. The color is light blue, which my wife likes. The ad, for price, says "best offer". I am figuring they're saying that because most people wouldn't consider buying a 27 yr old car. Of course, myself being inflicted with the Mercedes-Benz virus, can't help but to investigate. I know that these years of the 450 have problems with hot starts and not the best ACC systems. Roughly, with the little info I have from the ad, what would be an average price?

suginami · #2 11-12-2002, 07:10 PM

Well, you didn't really state the condition, but I would guess the average price would be between $8k for an average car, and $12k for a very clean car.

'75 is probably one of the least desireable of the 450 SL's because it not only has the vapor lock problem, but also the cats are in the engine compartment, not under the car where they belong. This causes wiring, hoses, rubber, etc. to wear out much quicker because of the added heat.

anc4 · #3 11-12-2002, 11:15 PM

what is the cause of the hot start problems in the 75 sl? i have a friend w/ one and he is constantly getting stuck, i'd love to help him, thanx

suginami · #4 11-12-2002, 11:20 PM

Vapor lock could be the problem.

anc4 · #5 11-13-2002, 12:02 AM

how do you fix vapor lock?

Mark Herzig · #6 11-13-2002, 01:58 AM

My 2cents is that the '77 - '80 450SL would be the way to go because of CIS fuel injection, Cats under the car, and other improvements...

rickjordan · #7 11-13-2002, 08:13 AM

Presuming MB didn't redesign the floor of the car in 1977, what would stop one from putting a post '77 exhaust system on the car? I haven't seen the car in person yet. Today it's raining, so I don't know that I will get out that way. Let's just say it raised an eyebrow when the price was listed as "best offer".

4NDELIT · #8 11-13-2002, 09:56 AM

I think you should buy a '78 450SL... hell, you should just buy mine!!! lol. in reality, I think you can retrofit the cats and exhaust, but it will take quite a bit of work, and probably not worth your time. Instead, I would try to find out wether or not you really need the cats. I'm not sure when the cutoff line for smog checks are, but if you don't need one soon, just bypass the cats [it will free up airflow]

suginami · #9 11-13-2002, 12:13 PM

Vapor lock is prevented by protecting the fuel lines from heat.

rickjordan · #10 11-13-2002, 12:27 PM

Well, the weather cleared up and I went to inquire about this car. The guy at the lot said it belonged to the dealership's, owner's, brother-in-law. The car of course has been repainted, but it is a very good paint job. It is definetly a baby blue, with hubcaps that are a different shade of blue. It has a new top, all the glass is original. No rust to be found. The doors shut real solid and the interior is in great shape, though it has one of those plastic dash caps. It even has the original radio in it. As for price, the guy told me that the brother-in-law first said $13K, but then 2 weeks later said "best offer". The car has been sitting for over a month on this lot. This guy hasn't driven it because he doesn't know what insurance coverage the real owners have. The car has historic plates, and here in NJ, that limits you to how the car can be driven. I really can't get around the color though. There are 3 shades of blue, between the top, the body and the hubcaps. I had a hell of a time figuring out how to open the hood. I guess I'll keep looking. I am going to take my time with this.

litletrees · #11 11-13-2002, 08:40 PM

rickjordan

i started looking for a 450sl at the begining of this last summer

@ 3 mons. ago / june / i looked at a 75 450sl located in laffette nj

offered for $5500 / could have had the car for $5000 -

white with black leather / over 100,000mi

both tops / not bad at all / body was in very good shape

i did buy a 84 380sl in july for $9200 / 99500 mi

the timing chain is now being changed as a precaution / the last owner had the car for 12 years / put 50,00mi on it and didn t keep records

i am now the 4 th owner

a picture of it is posted under timing chain question by Litletrees

jim

4NDELIT · #12 11-14-2002, 10:36 AM

just out of curiosity, I know that california cars have a good reputation on the east coast for their condition [no rust from salted roads, less weather damage] but do you guys think that it's practical for someone from the east coast to buy my car and ship it? My mom was trying to get me to list it in the New York Times, because it's a cali car and it has low miles. She thinks I'll get more for it.

bobterry99 · #13 11-14-2002, 12:54 PM

I don't think anyone that is not local to your area will pay you the premium you are asking for your car, unfortunately. People are reluctant to pay-up for a vehicle that they are unable to drive and evaluate first hand. Just look at the discount that cars trade for on eBay. And a buyer from the east would have to budget $800 or more for shipping your car.

Still, this is just my opinion. And if I am wrong, an ad in the NY Times could be lucrative. It's probably worth the cost of an ad to find out.

kip Foss · #14 11-27-2002, 09:30 PM

Check out www.collectorcartraderonline.com/adsearch.html andf Hemmings. There are hundreds of sl/slc's listed for comparison.