Several parts of the car shown in the pics would cost way too much to restore to that condition. There are pics showing the wheel wells which are still brand spanking new, the entire engine bay alone, along with the plastics there would cost over $3000 to restore to that shape in parts only. The leather interior isn't cheap at all either. I say easily $10,000 before any discussion of labor is brought into the equation? So what's with living all over the world? Who cares?

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1999 Mercedes-Benz S600, 103K miles - garage queen
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL, 89K miles - daily driver
2007 Hyundai Sonata Limited, 31K - daily driver

In my opinion, that car is both in new condition AND detailed.

I highly doubt that he decided to stop the auction to sell it to the high bidder.
He may have accepted 30K or so, off of eBay, to avoid the fees?

It may be 10 times what that car would cost in 'very good' condition...
but there is a steep premium applied to vehicles with that kind of mileage and condition.

Even a '69 Chevy with a comparable pedigree could bring that much.

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'87 300SDL

dieselbenz

Some 69 chebbies bring more $$$

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82 300D....went to MB heaven
90 350 SDL....excercising con rods

A deal outside of the auction is the scenario that first came to my mind. It's very common, especially with cars, for a seller to specify that an item is available "subject to prior sale"; eBay doesn't seem to make a big deal out of it.

Vehicles on eBay Motors are not subject to a "final value fee" based on the selling price, either. It's only a $40 "Transaction Services Fee". He'd be avoiding a fee, but I don't think that would be the primary motive for such a deal.

I would guess that it would have more to do with a motivated buyer who doesn't want to mess about with the whole "eBay thing". It also might be a little more complicated than simply, "I'll pay you $XXXXX for the car". It could be something more along the lines of, "Here's a deposit, and here's the balance to be paid only after a satisfactory inspection by individuals chosen by the buyer".

Bringing a car back from an ok driver to that condition would cost $30k-$50k if done right. Just details like the wheel wells and undersides alone would cost thousands. The engine would have to be torn down and all parts painted to MB spec. It is possible to clean a daily driver enough that with a little work and a few grand it will look pretty close to that car. But once a trained eye starts really looking at it, pokeing holes in it would be simple.

For example in MTU's pic that yellow plastic part on the throttle links would need to be changed. Also those vac lines don't look stock. They would need to be changed to whatever the car left the factory with.

Restoring a car back to 100 point show condition costs tons of time and money. Thats why examples like that 300SD are so tempting and sought after. I can see paying mid teens for that car, but not any higher. It isn't rare enough to justify the buy it now price.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Am I the only one who would consider buying a car like that for under $20K and just drive it and cherish it like a normal new car? It's like going back in time and buying a new MB diesel, then bringing it back to the present. I think that would be neat.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Except back in time when the car was really new (this one just looks new, it is not new) it didn't have old dry seals and gaskets that could, actually, that WILL start leaking once you start to drive it on a daily basis. What I would like to do, in line with your thought, is to get a W126, send it to the MB Museum for complete restoration and then drive it daily - now that will really be like driving a new MB back in the 1980s - early 90s.

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1999 Mercedes-Benz S600, 103K miles - garage queen
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL, 89K miles - daily driver
2007 Hyundai Sonata Limited, 31K - daily driver

Yeah I know the maintenance would be more involved on this car than on a new Toyota or something. I'd still need to change all the fluids and probably a lot of rubber parts, but after that it might be like driving a new MB from the early 80's.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

but you might want to lock up you locknuts on that linkage.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Well after changing every hose, every rubber suspension part, and a large chunk of the engine and trans seals. Then I guess it could be a pretty reliable driver. The first year would be very hard and expensive though.

The downside is after running 100k on it you are pretty much kissing $35k good by. Although by running 100k on a new S430 you are doing about the same as well. I guess if you look at it in terms of a 2006 S430 or this 1979 300SD the numbers work out about the same.

I wonder how much it would cost to have the MB classic center restore say a rust free yet tired CA 560SEL? For arguments sake lets say it costs $50k. Hmm new S vs classic yet new S, interesting thought...

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I'll take the old one every time, but it would be a shame to turn a very low mileage car into a driver. For more like $10K you should be able to find 50-100K mile driver almost as nice (still better than a new one, IMHO), and I wouldn't feel bad about using it.

...is a W116 really THAT collectible? The car probably sold for less than what he's asking for when it was new. If it were a collectible model, I could see the price increase, but he's a little strong here.

I've seen people asking stupid amounts of money for near-new cars, but if it's not a particularly rare and desirable model in the first place, who's gonna buy it? Sounds like the guys who were asking 30k+ for Dodge Spirit RTs when they first came out - fast, rare, but built like crap and never even found in the pages of Mopar enthusiast magazines.

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Gil

2004 ML350
1984 300CD; Ivory (sold)

I would guess $20-25K is closer to reality, but you can't blame him for trying. Maybe he's just fishing to see what he can get.

unless of course he went to tijuana mexico were you can get the seats redone for cheap and look like real good quality. take a look at these seats done in mexico.

Attached Thumbnails

 

THats a mighty long drive to make for many of us however.....

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche