I just had the top end done in my 87 300SDL. Like you, my car started mysteriously loosing coolant. Had no visible leaks, didn't smoke, etc.

These prices are based on memory only, but I've posted extensively about this. Just do a search on my name.

I took the car to the MB dealer in the town my office is located in. At first, I was told it needed just the gasket and estimated the job at around $1800. After it was taken apart, the head was found to be cracked in a few places. The MB part was well over $2000 for a rebuilt head.

I ordered a NEW head complete with valves, guides, springs, etc for around $2200 delivered from MetricMotors (Www.metricmotors.com).

I went ahead and had them do the head, gaskets, and all new valves. By the time I picked it up, the total was around $5200.

Good luck!!

__________________
Lance Allison
Lance@LanceAllison.com

Current:
11 MB S550 4Matic, 55k miles, Designo Black/Black
14 Ford F150 XLT Lariat Crew, 73k miles, 5.0
Coyote V8 4x4. Black/tan.
09 GMC Envoy Denali, 5.3 V8, 4x4 SWB. 38k miles,
Jewel Red/Med Gray.

Gone:
87 MB 300SDL, 320k miles, Astral Silver/Blue.
98 VW Jetta TDI, 488k miles, Classic Green/Gray.
85 Olds 98 Brougham FWD, 4.3 DIESEL V6, 80k
miles, 3x Gray.

MBCA Member, Chicago Region