W123 Classics - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Guest987 · #1 02-20-2014, 11:23 PM

I had heard mention awhile back about the possibilities of the W123's going classic. I was curious in this regards if it could possibly elevate the demand and value for these models?? Anyway it made me feel better about my re-investment in a new one. I hear so much about them being recycled away.

jake12tech · #2 02-20-2014, 11:31 PM

I think there is a possibility, but far too many right now to even know the answer. Usually to be considered a classic and I know people who would agree, there would have to be very few made and there was a lot of W123s made on the assembly line. I don't even think there is a market really for W116s and there is VERY few I see around here.

Mölyapina · #3 02-21-2014, 12:47 AM

I think that, with Mercedes, the collectibles will always be the high-end, less expensive models vs. the "common-man mobiles". Just look at what the W115 and W110 diesels are selling for v. the W108 450SEL.

Skippy · #4 02-21-2014, 05:30 AM

Supply and demand. Chevy sold a lot of cars in 1957, but lots and lots of people want a '57 Chevy, so value is high. Mercedes sold kind of a lot of W123's, but not that many people want one, so prices remain low. I can tell you that I bought mine in 2005 with 293,000 miles for $800 and when I was rearended in 2013 at nearly 330,000 miles the insurance company came up with a value of $2500 or so. There has been some appreciation of these cars, but I doubt if I'll see them trading in six figures (at least in today's money) in my lifetime.

75Sv1 · #5 02-21-2014, 07:54 AM

'Classic' is defined as 25 years old. So, it already is. This qualifies the car for classic insurance or plates (if states has them). It won't affect the value. As stated before, supply and demand. I have a few car with less production than say a '70 Dodge Challenger. They don't sell for what they do.
Over the past few years, the dollotor market took a dive along with the economy. The true collectables did not. Now the market seems back on the rise.
Tom

Zacharias · #6 02-21-2014, 11:28 AM

The problem with the w123 will always be the fact it was produced in large numbers and was always seen as a taxi chassis in many countries. There is nothing in its personality or styling that make it 'collectible'.

That said, nice examples are fetching decent money and we should be happy with that.

Also, things can change. I can recall a time when you could hardly give away a w116. Now a decent one fetches decent money and I sometimes hear "Gee, where did all the w116s get to?"

Many people, including me, thought that solid old traditional RWD designs like the w123 and the Volvo 240 would soldier on with a large, fanatic and committed fan base not interested in FWD 'jellybean' cookie cutter cars. I guess we got the latter two....

uberwasser · #7 02-21-2014, 11:40 AM

In 1964/65 Ford produced almost 700,000 Mustangs.

For many years, they were seen as run of the mill "secretary" cars.

Now they are sought after as collectible.

For a car to be collectible it first has to be built to last, or at least easily rebuildable. This is generally the case with the W123's.

It has to be desire worthy for one reason or another. For many of the 60's cars they became really valuable as the kids from that era, who couldn't afford one then, could suddenly afford to build up a used one. There is some of that going on with the W123. A friend of mine bought his, and put thousands in to fixing it up to nearly like new, because he remembered loving them when he was in college in the 80's but not being able to afford the entry fee then. Top that off with the general desirability of the Mercedes name and you have something worth considering there.

And then, third, it has to BECOME hard to find. Original production numbers are irrelevant once the vast majority of them are given up on by folks who call the pull-a-part instead of selling it on to someone else. That could have easily happened with the '85 I just bought if I hadn't come across it before the guy had to move a few days later...

This is what has happened with the Mustang. Despite being made in huge numbers, enough time has passed that enough of them have been crushed that you don't see them that often anymore.

So in time the W123 has a chance to be in a similar situation. You already see a bit of that in the models within the W123 chassis that were less common, like the wagons.

cooljjay · #8 02-21-2014, 01:47 PM

The ones I see being collectible are the early years pre 1979 and the euro models.

As you can see on here, the non turbo models are hated like the ford pinto....so they are coutinuly being junked or parted. The earlier years have more of a classic design as seen on the w115 models.

The euro models are very rare in the states, and the ones with the 4 speed or rare 5 speeds will commend more money. They are also all manual and cloth interior....many people become shocked when I tell them my car was a taxi....they have no idea that Mercedes had that reputation.

Then you also have the rare color combos, that I can see being classics...

The typical run of the mill beige on palomino will never be seen as valuable....but a thistle green on parchment one...well that will become a collectible...

pj67coll · #9 02-22-2014, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooljjay

As you can see on here, the non turbo models are hated like the ford pinto....so they are coutinuly being junked or parted.

Not everybody feels that way. I prefer them for their simplicity. Less to go wrong, which is the whole point of a 123 in my opinion.

- Peter.

cooljjay · #10 02-25-2014, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Not everybody feels that way. I prefer them for their simplicity. Less to go wrong, which is the whole point of a 123 in my opinion.

- Peter.

That's my exact feelings, now if we can just convince the rest of the crowd...

unkl300d · #11 02-25-2014, 01:35 AM

I third the motion !

efm-7 · #12 02-21-2014, 02:19 PM

I think it also depends on the market too. Here in Ottawa, Ontario, old or interesting cars are so uncommon that anything that runs and has little rust sells for good money. I've seen K-cars go for $6000!

Also - I think the W123s have a limited appeal to the average car enthusiast because they aren't particularly fast, flashy, or luxurious - that and it's not a model they have on the radar when shopping for euro cars. Most people I knew shopping for Mercs wanted a W201 190E because they couldn't find a BMW E30.

Mesalm · #13 02-21-2014, 03:51 PM

Just what your looking for. Here is one someone is selling for $17,500 it's an 82..no it's a 72 ...ok whatever.

It's the up and coming classic car market.

1985 Mercedes 300D - PRISTINE CONDITION

Mölyapina · #14 02-21-2014, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesalm

Just what your looking for. Here is one someone is selling for $17,500 it's an 82..no it's a 72 ...ok whatever.

It's the up and coming classic car market.

1985 Mercedes 300D - PRISTINE CONDITION

But the question is, will it sell at that price? I doubt it.

jake12tech · #15 02-21-2014, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesalm

Just what your looking for. Here is one someone is selling for $17,500 it's an 82..no it's a 72 ...ok whatever.

It's the up and coming classic car market.

1985 Mercedes 300D - PRISTINE CONDITION

He's going to have to spend a lot more than $5500.00 to fetch $17.5K on his "Pristine" W123. Besides, something makes me think that looks like a dash-cap.