1971 280SE. Part out or sell as a whole?

[thehalvo]

I've got a 1971 280SE that I've been tinkering with for the past year or so. I bought it at a reasonable price, wasn't running, seemed to only have a fuel issue, and so I thought I could get it running. I'm now having engine problems and I'm fairly confident it needs a rebuild or a completely new engine. So in other words, the project just went from "o this is fun!" to "this just isn't worth it anymore."

So my question is this. Should I try and sell it as a whole car with the knowledge I have now, or should I just part it out? If I sell it as is I'm guessing I can't get more than $2000 out of it, which would put me at a loss financially based on the initial purchase price + parts I've put into it. But I'm guessing I might be able to push $4000+ if I just part it out (just a guesstimate). Besides the engine issue and a dent in the front bumper the car is in fantastic condition, only 38K miles on it (sat for 20 years), little to no rust that I can see, and I've never seen a vintage interior as well kept as in this car.

So what are your thoughts? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[Mike D]

Which engine?

[thehalvo]

Inline fuel injected 6-cyl, same engine that was used in the 280SL

[Mike D]

There are plenty of M130's out there and a multitude of rusty W114's.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/vintage-mercedes/346458-w116-junkyard-finds-south-ga-many-others-benz-too.html

I'd get a used engine and stick it in if the car is in as nice of a condition as you state. With a few exceptions, a non-running car is "yard art" and is worth scrap value. "Flame suit on"

[vandor]

Yup, sounds like you just need a used engine. It would be a shame to part it out, although in its present state that's how you'd get the most money back (but it could take 1-2 years).

[thehalvo]

@vandor - So the 1-2 years to part out, is that just an estimate or from past experience? Thanks!

[Idle]

On the subject of parting out.

You are not a wrecking yard. No one is going to be calling you looking for parts. You are going to be pulling parts and offering them on Ebay or here one at a time. Will someone need the part you are offering when you offer it? If not then it will not sell.

If you are in a position to keep your offer to sell any part in front of buyers then it will speed up the process, but you will still need to deal with removing and packing and shipping parts, all of which take time. It is not like customers will come to your yard and carry the part off in their hands.

Parting out can be done, but you must be willing to take less than a wrecking yard would in order to move the part. You will be selling to someone who wants the part as opposed to someone who needs the part. There is a big difference in what someone will pay for a wanted item and a needed item.

But it can also be fun. You will get to meed a lot of fellow Mercedes nuts and will likely learn a number of things about the car as you go along. But once you sell the first part it is a parts car; no one will buy it as a project if the rear axel assembly is missing.

[ScooterABC]

Originally Posted by thehalvo

So in other words, the project just went from "o this is fun!" to "this just isn't worth it anymore."

If you aren't enjoying it anymore, dump it. If you like the car, replace the engine. Either way, parting it out is going to be less fun than fixing it.

[Tomguy]

If you need the money now, sell it. If you don't need money but want more & don't mind the hassle of parting it, part it. If you don't need the money and just want it gone, sell it. If you don't need the money and wouldn't mind having a fun running car, keep it and replace the engine. There are tons of engines that will fit, from inline 6 cylinders all the way up to more modern 8 cylinder M119s and then some.

[vandor]

Originally Posted by thehalvo

@vandor - So the 1-2 years to part out, is that just an estimate or from past experience? Thanks!

From past experience with Fiats and Volvos, but not MBs.

[thehalvo]

Thanks for all the solid feedback fellas! You've brought up some good points that I hadn't considered.

@idle - Good points. I hadn't thought of the price differences between a wanted item and a needed item.

@scooterabc - Great point! I don't think I would enjoy parting it out. Especially if it took me over a year.

@tomguy - Good breakdown, thanks. I don't need the money, but I also hate losing money on anything in life.

@vandor - Thanks for the follow up.

Okay so let's pivot this post (let me know if you'd prefer that I start a new thread instead). If I do change my mind and simply keep going until she is in working order again, what's the best route for replacing the engine? As I see it, I have the following options:

1. Repair the current engine (compression issues)
2. Find a working engine locally
3. Pick up a Small Block

What route would you take? Please note that I know enough about what I can and can't achieve with my limited vehicle knowledge to know that I'll need a local shop to do this work. So labor is going to be a big cost. I just know I don't have the time or knowledge to pull off an engine swap or repair. I have found a great local shop that I trust with vintage cars, but initial quotes are in the $6-7k range for an engine repair or putting in a Small Block.

Give me your advice, thanks much!

[ScooterABC]

Originally Posted by thehalvo

what's the best route for replacing the engine? As I see it, I have the following options:

1. Repair the current engine (compression issues)
2. Find a working engine locally
3. Pick up a Small Block

... I have found a great local shop that I trust with vintage cars, but initial quotes are in the $6-7k range for an engine repair or putting in a Small Block.

Whoa.... let's take a big step backwards. You are fairly confident that the car has only 38,000 miles on it, that it was parked for 20 years, and that you have significant engine problems. Could you speak at length about what it is you think is wrong with the engine and why it might need a new engine??? You have eluded to low compression but not actually stated that.

Let's start over on this with the "what's wrong with the engine and what to do" issue and see if we can get some traction. Who did a compression test and what are the readings for each cylinder?

As for a generic $6000 - $7000 to solve your problem, I think that is premature hogwash. Having the head re-done wouldn't be that much. What about the injection pump? Fuel system? WAAAAYYYY too many unanswered questions to speculate on replacing an engine on a car that has 38,000 miles....

[thehalvo]

Certainly, and thanks for the follow up @scooterabc!

Once I fixed the fuel issues myself and realized that it might have an engine problem I started searching for a good mechanic in the area. I went through 3 shops before I found a team I trusted. I got a lot of different answers about what exactly is wrong. But my current mechanic says it's a compression issue and that the engine needs to be rebuilt or replaced. He mentioned something about very old coolant and it causing a possible crack. Which is close to an assumption that one of the former mechanics suggested.

The last compression reading made by my current mechanic:
cylinder - lbs
6 - 152
5 - 60
4 - 54
3 - 135
2 - 148
1 - 132

The injection pump seems to be fine, but they are requesting that I send that out to be rebuilt as well if we tackle the engine. The rest of the fuel system is in working order. I've resealed the fuel tank after getting all of the rust out. I replaced all the fuel lines and the fuel pump in the back.

If having the head re-done wouldn't be $6-$7k then what should it cost?

Ask further questions if you have any, and thanks again!

[ScooterABC]

OK, well I for one am not satisfied with your "team that you trust". Others may be much more qualified to diagnose this based on the compression, but I think a "crack" is highly unlikely, and that more likely is a head gasket, which isn't that big of a deal. Rebuilding the injection pump is $1500 - $2200 and there are about 3 reputable shops in the US who do this, including Pacific Fuel Injection (I think that's the name) in the SF Bay Area. Under no circumstances would I have the pump rebuilt without resolving the possible head gasket issue first and seeing if (when fuel system flushed) things work better.

Having the head re-done would be I think closer to $1000 - $1500, and from what you are saying, there is no indication that a head needs to be re-built on a low-mileage car.

This is the time for other people who are better mechanics than I am to chime in with their opinions. I think that your mechanic is taking you for a ride...

Just my 2 cents...

[ScooterABC]

The cost for a rebuilt head from Metric Motors is I think $1750. Your cost should be lower than that.