Market for 350SDL? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Fidalgo350SDL · #1 03-03-2016, 08:38 PM

Hello, long time member of Pelican Parts, but first post here at Peach Parts.

I have a '91 350SDL that I'm considering selling. I can't find too many examples to base a good market price, so I thought I'd ask here.

It has 177K miles. Midnight blue on blue. I'm the third owner. I've put 70K on it (lots of commuting; that's over now). I've had the turbo rebuilt, new radiator, belts, tires, brakes. It gets 26-27 MPG and drives great. Everything works, including cruise control. I'll be replacing the oil pan gasket as it leaks a little.

Any thoughts on what I should ask? Thanks,

dieselbenz1 · #2 03-03-2016, 10:29 PM

Where are you located?

Hit Man X · #3 03-03-2016, 10:53 PM

Original bottom end? What brand tires? Done the front end yet...including springs? Does it have a hood pad? Odometer work? Clean Autocheck/Carfax? New shocks all around?

One terrible quality photograph is not enough to even give a guess on its value. Sorry.

Fidalgo350SDL · #4 03-03-2016, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

Original bottom end? What brand tires? Done the front end yet...including springs? Does it have a hood pad? Odometer work? Clean Autocheck/Carfax? New shocks all around?

One terrible quality photograph is not enough to even give a guess on its value. Sorry.

Yes original bottom end
Toyo tires
No, haven't done the front end. Not needed. New steering damper though.
No on the hood pad. I tore it out when it was sagging onto the engine.
Odometer works.
Shocks replaced before I got it. Bilsteins.
I'll have to check Carfax.

Located NW Washington state.

Yes, photo isn't top quality. I'll work on that.

sloride · #5 03-03-2016, 11:48 PM

Original bottom end, probably referring to if it is using oil from a known problem with the 3.5 engine. Around the rust belt here beaters going for scrap price to 5K for a well taken care of lower mile 91. Just my .02.

babymog · #6 03-04-2016, 09:30 AM

Washington state is probably one of the highest resale places for mid-vintage diesel Mercedes, and I don't believe that they are allowed to use salt?

My neighbor paid around $7k for his nearly perfect '91 350SDL IIRC, about the same miles, smoke silver with cream-beige leather, heated IDK but his has the ASR and hydropneumatic leveling (optional). He has kept it out of the salt, paint is perfect, stored winter and professionally detailed at least once / year. Does not use oil.

I feel that he paid a bit much for the car considering the market here, had to drive a distance to get it also (not a local car), but he wanted the latest and best 126 diesel he could find, which always bumps your budget a bit.

You can find tired and neglected ones, like sloride says they're scrap to $5k normally here, a local used car dealer had one with ratty driver's seat and peeling clear-coat for $3,500 and it sat for a long time (don't know what he got for it eventually). My neighbor is looking to "thin the herd" and will probably have a tough time getting what he has in his, but if he sent it to the Pacific NW maybe not.

Condition is the big one. These cars are old, if not well maintained the seats will look worn, paint clear-coat sometimes peels (especially if not garaged), suspensions sloppy, accessories like A/C or central locking not working, BURNING OIL, quickly turn the car from a collector's to a project and the value will collapse.

Options are another, if you have ASR/Leveling, heated orthopedic seats, I believe there was a high-spec audio option, Bose?, colors, others? If it is in very good condition and has unique high-line options (that work) and desirable colors you might have an ebay sweetheart.

Finally there's history. If it has a one or two-owner history in a non rust-belt state with documentation, dealer or reputable independent service, bonus! Unknown owner history and no documents, WVO conversion, definitely a value killer. Both of my 3.5s were purchased used, and both had reman engines. If yours is original at this mileage and doesn't burn oil it is likely a good one (not all were bad).

Best of luck!

Fidalgo350SDL · #7 03-04-2016, 11:44 AM

Thanks for the comparison and value ranges babymog. Kinda what I thought, <$5k. My paint isn't peeling but it's not perfect either and she burns a bit of oil. Less after I got the turbo rebuilt.

Thanks everyone.

Nate

Hit Man X · #8 03-04-2016, 03:50 PM

Better post pictures of the front suspension. It will need a front end long before 170k, perhaps a PO did it and you are unaware? It certainly helps resale quite a bit if it is indeed solid.

Not a DIY job for the faint of heart and I would venture to say a full front end at a shop with parts and labor is near $3000. Heck just buying parts from the various places online runs me nearly $600 per car I think now. A shop will charge you more, just part of the business.

Put a hood pad on it. This missing screams lack of care to me, from the owner. It will set you back about $75 with cleaning agent and quality 3M adhesive.

I am unsure if you can call MB and give them your VIN to see if the motor was replaced, it would be worth a call. This would boost value BIG TIME if you have a factory replacement in there.

Take about 30-50 high quality photographs in good lighting with the vehicle dry and run a vehicle history check, this will help you know your market. Just as-is, right this minute? I would not pay more than $2000. With more history, photos, documentation, that could (and should) easily go up.

Many years ago I tried to scoop up a black on black 350SD here as I love short wheel base diesel MBs. Bottom end was bad and I had access to a few, good 3.0 bottom ends to toss in... owner thought it was gold despite not running. I guess it ended up in the crusher.

babymog · #9 03-04-2016, 05:30 PM

I have not had good luck with dealers giving me info on replacement engines. Both of my 3.5s were Mercedes reman according to the tags, but I've called the dealers where I though that it would've been serviced, no records. According to the nearest dealer, they did not share records pre-2007 unless it was covered by warranty.

However, if there is a tag riveted to the block just ahead of the bellhousing, this is likely a reman. What is on that tag will tell whether it is M-B factory.

Hit Man X · #10 03-04-2016, 08:29 PM

Too bad. I wanted to contact mine here in town and find out when my 560SEL received a factory reman trans. I have had the car for nearly a decade now, but who knows when it was installed.

Any pic of the tag for the 3.5? I have only seen the 722.3XX tags and one for 617s.

babymog · #11 03-05-2016, 11:06 AM

Proof of new 603 Engine

Post #5 is a 603.

Hit Man X · #12 03-06-2016, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Proof of new 603 Engine

Post #5 is a 603.

Perfect, thanks!

Skid Row Joe · #13 03-08-2016, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Washington state is probably one of the highest resale places for mid-vintage diesel Mercedes, and I don't believe that they are allowed to use salt?

My neighbor paid around $7k for his nearly perfect '91 350SDL IIRC, about the same miles, smoke silver with cream-beige leather, heated IDK but his has the ASR and hydropneumatic leveling (optional). He has kept it out of the salt, paint is perfect, stored winter and professionally detailed at least once / year. Does not use oil.

I feel that he paid a bit much for the car considering the market here, had to drive a distance to get it also (not a local car), but he wanted the latest and best 126 diesel he could find, which always bumps your budget a bit.

You can find tired and neglected ones, like sloride says they're scrap to $5k normally here, a local used car dealer had one with ratty driver's seat and peeling clear-coat for $3,500 and it sat for a long time (don't know what he got for it eventually). My neighbor is looking to "thin the herd" and will probably have a tough time getting what he has in his, but if he sent it to the Pacific NW maybe not.

Condition is the big one. These cars are old, if not well maintained the seats will look worn, paint clear-coat sometimes peels (especially if not garaged), suspensions sloppy, accessories like A/C or central locking not working, BURNING OIL, quickly turn the car from a collector's to a project and the value will collapse.

Options are another, if you have ASR/Leveling, heated orthopedic seats, I believe there was a high-spec audio option, Bose?, colors, others? If it is in very good condition and has unique high-line options (that work) and desirable colors you might have an ebay sweetheart.

Finally there's history. If it has a one or two-owner history in a non rust-belt state with documentation, dealer or reputable independent service, bonus! Unknown owner history and no documents, WVO conversion, definitely a value killer. Both of my 3.5s were purchased used, and both had reman engines. If yours is original at this mileage and doesn't burn oil it is likely a good one (not all were bad).

Best of luck!

Sounds like my type of used MB diesel....

compu_85 · #14 03-09-2016, 02:07 PM

On the East Coast anyway W126 values seem to be in the toilet. I can hardly give mine away

-J