230sl/250 engine transplant

[Eryck]

Hello again.  Greetings from the far east!

A friend of mine found a 65 230sl for sale here in HK. Not straight forward since it appears to have had a transplant. It's a 65 230sl but the rego says 2500cc.  Looks original otherwise. It's an imported car from the UK in the early 90's. Question is, how much of a value impairment should be attributable to a transplant? Anyone with similar experience?  

My friend is seriously considering it since these cars are very hard to find in HK.  Thank you all again.

1965 230 SL White Manual
Hong Kong

[Chad]

Sounds like you mean just the engine is different? Does the car have rear wheel discs also? Does the engine block reveal inself it to be a 250 engine? I believe the 250 block/head are clearly labelled as such. There are cars I have learned with engines out of the SE.

Sounds like this car has an unknown history. I would not consider this engine swap an impairment at all, as ong as it's a Mercedes engine suited to the chassis in good shape, compression, appearance of sparking plugs, running, correct IP. But be sure to inspect closely for other liberties/deviations that would not be good. There are many trim components in particular that you likely want to be of the 230 style.

[jcjblo]

This is not a big deal and is done quite regularly. Check the engine number to verify engine type (in fact, a 250 engine runs smoother than a 230 engine). You can, however, use this non-originality to bargain for a lower price. Good luck.

1965-230SL 4-speed Euro/Canada version, white (050) black leather interior

[andre_morcos]

Hi Eryck,
As Jcjblo just mentioned...Don't play around with the car, and ask for a better deal.
In the future, you can swap the engine and find a buyer for the 250 engine. But first ask for your data card and compare all aspects of the car before you buy it.
You don't want to regeret anything in the future

Andre Morcos (UAE)
1964 230 Sl
1960 220 Seb

[Benz Dr.]

My car ( '66 230SL 5 speed ) had a 250SE/SL engine in it when I bought it so I stayed with that. The 250SL engine is a 129 engine while the 230 is a 127. The 250 will actually say 250 in the cylinder head while the 230 usually says nothing. 230's are 9.3 compression while 250's are 9.5 - you can see these markings on the head.
250's also have oil coolers which are a good thing to have. The 129 is a stronger engine although the 230 is no weakling.

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
  1 877 661 6061

[Chad]

Dr Benz - Thanks for confirming that, I thought the 250 explicitly stated "250" on the engine from my memory of scouting out some cars for purchase back when. I ended up choosing a 230 (which doesn't have that labelling on the 127) simply for reasons of enjoying the 230 trim much better (the 250 I saw was not an early one) and wanting a dry/solid starting point.

BTW, do think you could have an opening for a 127 + 4speed manual rebuild of a 230 after August 2006??

[Benz Dr.]

The shop is very busy right now. Three 113's, three 190SL's and a pair of 220S/SE cabs. Anyone who wants something done could bring their car to the show in late July and leave it with me.
 
'We aren't slow, we aren't fast, not even half fast.'

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
  1 877 661 6061

[Chad]

Can't make it then but could have someone drive it up.