There are times when I wish I was not a moderator, and could just let it rip. This is one of them. But in the interest of Moderation ...

Your seller doesn't know know it from Shinola or is pretending not to. The M110 has a completely mechanical valve train, and it makes a lot of noise even when everything is OK. Any sort of pronounced tick is a sign of a flat cam lobe. But if this guy has a parts car, he probably knows his way around the block, so he is practicing the time-honored sellers' technique of pretending not to know anything.

You'll have to make your own judgment on condition, but it doesn't sound promising to me. As for the price, ask yourself if you would pay 9K for a repaint 200K 380SL from a shady seller, even if it came with a parts car.

Good luck, and do keep us informed.

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe