450 SL new engine or piece out

[Laurie Bennett]

I bought a 450 SL, my dream car, which has turned into somewhat of a nightmare. I have never even driven the car, and now I'm told it needs to new engine. The rest of the car is also in dire need of upgrading, having sat in my drive way for 2 years. It needs a new top, new engine, needs upolstreing, etc. The only thing that is in perfect condition (well, needs a paint job) in the body. Should I cut my loses and get what I can or is it worth saving at this point. I also have a 560 SL, and I have used a few of the parts for that car. 2nd question- the rear "window" of my 560 sl soft top is yellow and split, but the rest of the top is good-I have been quoted anwhere from $900 to $1500 to repair/replace the top. Anyone know if it is possible to just get the window repaired? I have a parts catalogue that lists the new top between $450 to $650 plus shipping. I'm thinking of doing this, but will I be able to install the new top myself? These cars can drain a pocket book if not carefull- I'm so glad I came across this website!! Thanks for your advice in advance
Laurie

[Carleton Hughes]

Originally Posted by Laurie Bennett

I bought a 450 SL, my dream car, which has turned into somewhat of a nightmare. I have never even driven the car, and now I'm told it needs to new engine. The rest of the car is also in dire need of upgrading, having sat in my drive way for 2 years. It needs a new top, new engine, needs upolstreing, etc. The only thing that is in perfect condition (well, needs a paint job) in the body. Should I cut my loses and get what I can or is it worth saving at this point. I also have a 560 SL, and I have used a few of the parts for that car. 2nd question- the rear "window" of my 560 sl soft top is yellow and split, but the rest of the top is good-I have been quoted anwhere from $900 to $1500 to repair/replace the top. Anyone know if it is possible to just get the window repaired? I have a parts catalogue that lists the new top between $450 to $650 plus shipping. I'm thinking of doing this, but will I be able to install the new top myself? These cars can drain a pocket book if not carefull- I'm so glad I came across this website!! Thanks for your advice in advance
Laurie

Well now,that's a broad portmanteau term"needs a new engine"could be the wrencher didn't want to be bothered with it.

Might help a tad if you gave a description of how the car runs or does not,what your mech,told you and your own experiences with it,also your familiarity or lack thereof with these cars,we are very patient folks here,old farts,as one of our younger members refers to us.

Ditto.

It's very hard to find a trusted person to work on these cars, or any car for that matter. I once visited a GM specialist with a GM product that had a ticking valve lifter, just to feel the guy out. He said that the engine was ready to blow any minute, and that he could have a "new" engine installed within a week at a measly cost of eleven thousand dollars. I put a can of BG products MOA in it and the car is still running great, without noise, two years later.

...and a honest upholstery shop can tell you wether or not they can sew in a new window. It's been done before, and those $500 tops don't come close to the quality of the OEM top. IMHO.

[wbain5280]

Who told you it needs a new engine and why does it need one?

[diametricalbenz]

I would definitely get a second opinion. The 450SL's are hard to break. Most of my mechanic's customers have at least one or two of them. One came into the shop which was flooded out and left for 2 years. Everything was corroded but after a top end dissassembly it ran fine.