400E Should I repair or sell 95 E420?

[peter E420]

Hi all,

I am a newby to this forum and wanted to get your inputs on should I repair or sell my 1995 E420 SE. The repair would be the head gaskets(at a minimum), as there is a loss of coolant, drop in pressure reading, water mixture in the oil, vapor in the exhaust telltale signs. If so, what would you estimate that to cost?
I have owned the car since 2004 and had the major repairs done-harness, AC, PS, Water Pump, transmission rebuild, flex disc/drive shaft/throttle body, as well as usual maintenance. It has 160k on the odometer.
Clean interior/exterior/no accident/CA car/no rust/well maintained.

If I sell it, what do you all think it is worth?

Thanks,

Peter

 

[LWB250]

Owning one of these myself, I would venture a guess that in it's present condition you would be lucky to find a buyer, or anyone willing to pay more than a few thousand for it. I've toyed with selling mine, which has 113k on the clock and is in excellent mechanical and interior condition but needs paint due to the wonderful Florida sun. I would venture that mine is probably worth $5k-$7k in it's current condition to give you a point of reference. It's also a "special edition" which sounds impressive but really means little in the way of value, I believe.

Dan

 

[gsxr]

It looks nice enough to fix, but you have to decide what you would spend to repair it. Would you repair the car yourself (DIY) or have to pay a shop?

BTW - what paint color, interior color, and does it have ASR or heated seats?

Another option is to swap in a good used engine, either 4.2L or 5.0L, as the cost might be similar either way.

 

[Gatorblue92]

Looks like a spruce green special edition like mine.

Unfortunately in its current condition it’s not worth too much. Maybe 1-2000 tops

 

[gsxr]

On my display it looks like Sapphire Black, but I can't tell for sure...

 

[sheward]

I recommend keeping it. I would also drop in a new motor, 4L or 5L as they are readily available and all your maintenance and replacement items would be usable with a 5L. Not many nice ones left. The value will likely rise.

drew

 

[tewfiks]

Appears to be in very nice condition. I would repair it and keep it. I have a 95 E420 and a 94 E500. These are some of the best driving cars I have ever driven and owned.

 

[Gatorblue92]

On my display it looks like Sapphire Black, but I can't tell for sure...

That’s very possible since I’m actually colorblind

 

[peter E420]

Winner: gsxr! Sapphire Black. Gray leather, no heated seats or ASR, but it got the old school cell phone in the console

 

[sheward]

A very nice and rare color. Relatively low miles. It would be great if you have the means to reseal a used 5L on a stand and pay to have a shop install it. All the information is here on this forum to do so. I think for $4 - 5,000.00 + a used 5L for $700. 00 you could have a competent shop do everything. Of course none of this would make sense if the car is your only means of transportation. I do think the value is there.

drew

 

[Pat]

Have you tried steel seal?