Considering Parting out the 4.5
 

I have too many cars. The 280SEL has quite a bit of wear and tear on it and is not worth keeping in running condition. After I spent all that time and money removing the head and giving it a valve job, I've finally realized enough is enough. To make it driveable on a regular basis, it would need a new radiator, exhaust and some front end work. The cosmetics are totally shot so there isn't much point in transplanting good parts into it. It would be more worth it in parts to someone else.

I've thought about selling it whole to someone, not a lot of money for me but no headache of parting it out. Can more money be made selling individual parts?

Josh, for what it's worth I think value of the car can be determined by the engine with recent valve job, say $800- $1000 for a fast sale. Hell, I'd even advertise it as an engine/tranny combo (invoking a broader market that includes 116 and 107 owners) and then tell them they get the rest of the car with it for free.

<edit: meanwhile highly desirable used 108 parts might only include the original radio and heater levers (if nubs have not already broken). Here's the rub on old MB parts - since the same thing goes wrong with all of them, most people buy brand new parts.

How is the body? I have a perfect drivetrain...
 

Let me know...

Trade secrets
 

Here are some cherries on that 4.5:
Good 4.5 rearend $350-$500
Tranny $200
Good starter ring grear $175
door strikers and recievers, $100 per pair, ricers buy them for "lambo" door conversions.
Rebuilt heads $200-$250
bla bla bla....
You should realize $3000 in parts from a ratty 4.5

Benzcrusher, thanks. That would be motivating enough to deal with parting it out! How much is the lower dash panel worth? The one with the A/C panel built into it. Someone is interested in it.

Abdoul, the body is shot.

Put the rear axle [ complete ] over at the 113 site.. They use them on 113s for the gearing..[3:27]
They also like the front rotor/caliper combos ...

I just looked at a dark blue '72 280SE-4.5, NO ENGINE, on Ebay. Body and interior looked pretty nice in the photos (but you know how that goes) For anyone looking for a possible recipient for 'Joshhol's parts, the car is in San Francisco and the Ebay Motors listing number is 2491185325. Car was up to $250, with 11 bids and six days to go.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Mark - The hood looked a bit screwed up on it and he said he couldn't open it - I wonder if it might HAVE an engine, just no battery or something that makes it not crank at all. He either is really stupid, or pretending to be to avoid answering questions straightforward. I'd love to know the condition of it myself, it looks BEAUTIFUL and I'd love to pop my engine into it for a perfect running AND looking car! :D

Sure doesn't sit like a car with no engine .. front end should be high w/o engine..