Example of the inflated prices on MB diesels in Michigan! Pics! - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pawoSD · #31 09-19-2009, 01:11 AM

Update on the 1985 300TD....it still remains....and is still for sale, though, the seller seems to have compromised on the price, they lowered it to......8,800, yes that's right, after nearly 4 months at 9800, they felt they would lower it $1,000......

I couldn't believe it. They've got to be crazy. Maybe I'll make them an offer for $2500 and see when they call me.

maloryII · #32 09-19-2009, 05:14 AM

Interesting perspective you folks have here. I can't say I'm shocked, since I'm on another major enthusiast forum and the dominant paradigm for enthusiast forums is marking the absolute bottom of the market as the "standard" and lambasting anything that exceeds it.

It's a good paradigm in many respects -- the more knowledge, experience, and, well, sales get poured in and out of a specific make of vehicles the more knowledgeable and experienced the collective gets.

But, for my fellow lurkers out there let me offer a caveat:

I paid $6,500 for my 1979 240D. That's about $4,000 above market value according to this forum.

Interestingly enough, my 240D is in tip-top shape and over the last 10 or so tanks of gas she has returned a low of 29.8 MPG and a high of 35.5 MPG. That's significantly higher than the forum standard for this vehicle. And yes, speedometer difference, GPS verification, etc. Not a moment is paid to fuel conservation in terms of driving style.

Remember that thread with people up in arms because some west-coast hippies were selling clean MBs for exorbitant prices? The controversy! The last time I checked the consensus was these were dirty hippies spray-bombing rusting hulks and maliciously selling them at forty times their actual value.

I suppose my point is:

There are those of us out there willing to pay a premium for a classic MB in 3+/2+ shape.

Not every Wxxx has to be a $1500 ****box.

YMMV of course!

i-osprey · #33 09-19-2009, 05:46 AM

You are completely full of it.

No 240D ever gets that kind of mileage.

Ever.

Either your calculator is bad or your odometer is.

Maybe you have chosen to use Imperial Gallons?

Works for the Canadians...

An Imperial Gallon is 1.201 US gallons.

Using that formula the 240D I would have done 28-29 mpIg since it only got 24mpUSg.

Seriously, people believe the silliest things.

There was a guy on eBay selling a diesel G-wagen claiming it got 30mpg.

There's NO WAY.

Come back to reality.

I love these cars as much as the next guy/gal but gilding the lily serves no purpose.

#34 09-19-2009, 08:54 AM

It's just a matter of what someone will pay. If I was looking for a W123 wagon, I would pay $10k for a rust free, low mileage car. I wouldn't consider a rusty car for any price. If I was selling that car, I would price it high (probably higher than this car) and advertise it nationally (but I would certainly spend $1000 and fix the rust first).

10k is not much money for a decent car these days. This guy isn't trying to sell the car to a DIYer here, many people have more money than free time (unfortunately) and don't need/want another project.

thebenzbar · #35 09-19-2009, 09:22 AM

I also agree with you Craig. Rust-free & clean 123s demand reasonable top dollar, IMO. I'd still rather own a fine $10k W123 than a plain & bland $10k domestic sedan.

#36 09-19-2009, 09:37 AM

I've been looking around a little for a potential car for my daughter, it's amazing how little you can find for under $10K.

JimmyL · #37 09-19-2009, 09:50 AM

Anybody else feel nauseous every time they see the word "paradigm"?????

Is it ironic that I feel that way every time I see it?

maloryII · #38 09-20-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i-osprey

You are completely full of it.

No 240D ever gets that kind of mileage.

Ever.

Either your calculator is bad or your odometer is.

Maybe you have chosen to use Imperial Gallons?

Works for the Canadians...

An Imperial Gallon is 1.201 US gallons.

Using that formula the 240D I would have done 28-29 mpIg since it only got 24mpUSg.

Seriously, people believe the silliest things.

There was a guy on eBay selling a diesel G-wagen claiming it got 30mpg.

There's NO WAY.

Come back to reality.

I love these cars as much as the next guy/gal but gilding the lily serves no purpose.

Diesel G-wagen?

Unless Conoco, Shell, and BP -- among others -- have surreptitiously switched their pump meters over to Imperial Gallons, and Garmin's satellites have been on the grape, I'd say my calculations don't really leave much room for a 5 mpg error.

There sure is a lot of controversy about 240D mileage, I'll give you that much. I only hit 35 mpg once -- so I'll give you that too.

But if I pull into a gas station with 493 miles on the trip odo, and the GPS has my trip at 489 miles, and I put 16.7 un-Imperial Gallons of #2 into the tank (first click, every time) -- like I did two days ago -- then something must be seriously wrong (with the universe) if the reality is I am only getting 24 mpg.

I suppose I could document all this with photos, but they also faked the moon landing.

RobTheMod · #39 09-21-2009, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maloryII

Interesting perspective you folks have here. I can't say I'm shocked, since I'm on another major enthusiast forum and the dominant paradigm for enthusiast forums is marking the absolute bottom of the market as the "standard" and lambasting anything that exceeds it.

It's a good paradigm in many respects -- the more knowledge, experience, and, well, sales get poured in and out of a specific make of vehicles the more knowledgeable and experienced the collective gets.

But, for my fellow lurkers out there let me offer a caveat:

I paid $6,500 for my 1979 240D. That's about $4,000 above market value according to this forum.

Interestingly enough, my 240D is in tip-top shape and over the last 10 or so tanks of gas she has returned a low of 29.8 MPG and a high of 35.5 MPG. That's significantly higher than the forum standard for this vehicle. And yes, speedometer difference, GPS verification, etc. Not a moment is paid to fuel conservation in terms of driving style.

Remember that thread with people up in arms because some west-coast hippies were selling clean MBs for exorbitant prices? The controversy! The last time I checked the consensus was these were dirty hippies spray-bombing rusting hulks and maliciously selling them at forty times their actual value.

I suppose my point is:

There are those of us out there willing to pay a premium for a classic MB in 3+/2+ shape.

Not every Wxxx has to be a $1500 ****box.

YMMV of course!

Yeah, I know what you're talking about. You ought to see the early-model Audi S4/S6 guys. They lambasted me for paying $9500 for a '93 back in 2007.

Funny, the Porsche shop owner who face-to-face offered me $8500 in cash for it this summer wouldn't agree with the Audi-forum experts who say these aren't ever worth more than $4500 "these days". My response to those types: Your $4500 S4 is green over tan, rusty New England 230,000 mile, runs good, has issues. Mine has verifiable 5-figure miles, is black/black, rust-free AZ car, and is a seat heater element away from *perfect* function.

Not comparable, IOW.

I didn't sell the S4 to that guy, BTW. Although that was a very fair offer considering I've enjoyed two years of driving with almost no trouble (another hallmark of the slightly overpriced example, wouldn't you agree?), I can't find anything I'd rather own for $8500. So it stays.

Adding a 300TD to the fleet for $1500 was great, though. And it's a federal '85, even. Rust free Scottsdale, AZ car since new. It'll be even nicer once I put some more work into it.

But ya know, although I *seriously* appreciate the wisdom found here, the DIYer who wants to join the CWC won't be my target market when someday it comes time to sell. I'll be asking several thousand bucks for it. It's not going to stay a $1500 W123.

Continued interest in, and monetary appreciation of, the older Benz Diesel models, is a Good Thing. It's to your benefit that people beyond the hobbyist would want to actually pay money for a car like yours.

TylerH860 · #40 09-21-2009, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maloryII

Not every Wxxx has to be a $1500 ****box.

YMMV of course!

Would you pay 10 grand for the rusty, Northern wagon the OP has listed for us? I'm guessing everything under the hood is oxidized, and the rust is more extensive than it appears. That is the primary discussion of this thread before you started this rant. You are making broad accusations and exaggerations with the mentality of this forum. A low mileage 240-4 speed in excellent condition is worth what you paid for it. I don't think you will find anyone on this forum that will say you overpaid 4 grand for it.

Those hippies you describe were taking your $6500 car, detailing the crap out of it, painting some areas questionably, and selling for $16500. Now that's insane.

http://www.mercedesmotoring.com/cars-for-sale/

I've been known to ball-bust people on price, but usually its well deserved. When someone says they have a car with just surface rust, AC that only needs a charge, claims 40 MPG, only 100,000 miles but the odometer broke yesterday, we tend to give them a hard time. You don't see many ball-busting on truly nice examples, with the exception of that website which is charging truly astounding prices.

pawoSD · #41 09-21-2009, 03:05 AM

I've looked it over a bit, and the rust is exceedingly minor, and every last rubber bit on the car is in mint shape still...with only 128k on it....most of its life was probably a summer trip car/garage sitter. The person selling it is some young girl that must have "come into" it somehow....hence wanting to sell. (just a guess there, but it seems like it) The car is not perfect, it has a few significant dents, some rust at the rear fenders, who knows about mechanical history, I've seen it driving and the engine sounds excellent...but still....price is too high. At least for the market around here. If I had the $$ I'd probably wave 3.5k at her in cash and see if she'd take it.....I suppose in the right situation it might fetch 5k....but the dents and little bit of rust make that one a real tough sell. $8.8k is crazy. Just look at what Tyler has managed to bring home for the amazing $$ amounts.....he could find a W123 that's never even been driven before for 8.8k!

pawoSD · #42 09-21-2009, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maloryII

Interesting perspective you folks have here. I can't say I'm shocked, since I'm on another major enthusiast forum and the dominant paradigm for enthusiast forums is marking the absolute bottom of the market as the "standard" and lambasting anything that exceeds it.

It's a good paradigm in many respects -- the more knowledge, experience, and, well, sales get poured in and out of a specific make of vehicles the more knowledgeable and experienced the collective gets.

But, for my fellow lurkers out there let me offer a caveat:

I paid $6,500 for my 1979 240D. That's about $4,000 above market value according to this forum.

Interestingly enough, my 240D is in tip-top shape and over the last 10 or so tanks of gas she has returned a low of 29.8 MPG and a high of 35.5 MPG. That's significantly higher than the forum standard for this vehicle. And yes, speedometer difference, GPS verification, etc. Not a moment is paid to fuel conservation in terms of driving style.

Remember that thread with people up in arms because some west-coast hippies were selling clean MBs for exorbitant prices? The controversy! The last time I checked the consensus was these were dirty hippies spray-bombing rusting hulks and maliciously selling them at forty times their actual value.

I suppose my point is:

There are those of us out there willing to pay a premium for a classic MB in 3+/2+ shape.

Not every Wxxx has to be a $1500 ****box.

YMMV of course!

Your 240D only gets that mileage if you drive reeeeealy slow ALL the time, and travel exclusively on 50-55mph roads with few stops.

karmamechanic · #43 09-21-2009, 05:13 AM

I picked up an 83 240D with 81.000 mi at the Salvation army. It didnt run, out of fuel, had been in storage since last used in 1992. the light yellow paint was dusty and appeared faded, tires were almost flat, dead battery and no fuel. $1200. It was strait as an arrow with a mint interior.
I decided to chance it and had it towed home.

After changing filters and putting new fuel and a battery, it started up first try

After de-oxidizing the paint and polishing it, it blew me away how beautiful this unmolested car was.

I had to replace the main vac hose to the booster and A/C was now blowing cold and the erratic shifting was cured also.
the car appeared like new as was a real joy to ride.....for short trips only as longer trips ( 1 hour or more) my back was hurting, I am 6'4+ and I didnt like the fact that seat adjustment and clearance was minimal for me and decided to sell it to get another 300SD where I was most comfortable.

I sold it on LA craislist for $6500 the first day and buyer tried to resell later for $9500....I think he may have gotten it as he regularly sells bio converted models with higher miles for about the same price he bought it from me.
the car is a jewel and likely could bring the $9500 maybe more, depending on the seller and the hype..
I'm told many of these low mile 123 126's are in San Marino Ca. garages
retired doctors wives cars.
the story is that in the 70's and 80's in Socal doctors bought slow diesel cars for their wives so that they dont end up speeding, getting tickets and accidents.
I found my 83 SD, a retired dentists wifes car sitting in their garage for 4 years in San Marino. the back window had 3 ivy school stickers, Harvard, Duke and Georgetown.

A chinese family who didnt bother cleaning the car up and I found plenty of coins and dollars in the back seat, pictures, notebooks ect...

I think that a good dry California car is about the best prospect for those of you looking for a lower mileage/used car.
the charities are a good place to look also, that's where a lot of them end up.

alamostation · #44 09-21-2009, 06:52 AM

20-some years ago I used to make a bundle buying 1960's Mustangs in Texas, fixing them up, and selling them in Michigan.

Back in 1986, I bought a '67 for $700. It got new tires, new points, plugs and condensor and detailing. I drove it to my in-laws in downriver Detroit.

The next day we were in the mall in Dearborn eating lunch and I heard a gut say he wished he could find a rust-free old Mustang. I went up to him and told him to come out to the parking lot.

$5000 later, I didn't have a Mustang. After that I ran at least 2 a year to Michigan, except for 1990, when both were bought by people who stopped me on I-44 in Missouri on the way to Michigan.

A divorce ended the business, but I'm sure things haven't change too much. Old and rust-free are probably still great selling features in Michigan. Especially for quality, classic cars.

#45 09-21-2009, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I've looked it over a bit, and the rust is exceedingly minor, and every last rubber bit on the car is in mint shape still...with only 128k on it....most of its life was probably a summer trip car/garage sitter. The person selling it is some young girl that must have "come into" it somehow....hence wanting to sell. (just a guess there, but it seems like it) The car is not perfect, it has a few significant dents, some rust at the rear fenders, who knows about mechanical history, I've seen it driving and the engine sounds excellent...but still....price is too high. At least for the market around here. If I had the $$ I'd probably wave 3.5k at her in cash and see if she'd take it.....I suppose in the right situation it might fetch 5k....but the dents and little bit of rust make that one a real tough sell. $8.8k is crazy. Just look at what Tyler has managed to bring home for the amazing $$ amounts.....he could find a W123 that's never even been driven before for 8.8k!

Yes, there are significant differences in car values in different parts of the country. Yes, lots of people here have stories of finding very good deals, but those are not "normal" prices. I don't understand people being upset about the asking price of cars. If you don't like the price, don't buy it or make a lower offer. If you're not in the market, who cares? This is like me being upset because the guy next door is asking $350k for a house that I think is only worth $250k today. He will probably have to negotiate; but as a current homeowner, I would like to see him get full price. Either way, it's not really my problem.

If I was looking for a W123 wagon, I would be willing to put about $10-12k into a clean one (a late model beater for my daughter will probably cost more than $10k around here). Based on you discription, this one needs $5k in body/paint work so I would probably offer about $5k (and be willing to pay up to about $6.5k). I've seen decent 300Ds with under 200k miles sell for $12k and the wagon should be worth a little more. Again, that's assuming everything is really in good working and cosmetic condition (i.e., it doesn't need $2k worth of AC work).