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  #16  
Old 08-13-2017, 03:26 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larryloveslala View Post
I find it amusing that no one "messes" with these anymore but wherever I go people say what a beautiful car and how nice it must me to drive it.

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I think it's wild. I get compliments on my two w210s all the time about what a beautiful car. How nice it rides. What a gorgeous interior etc. They're great cars, I don't understand why there isn't more interest in these diesels.

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Originally Posted by shertex View Post
Market has been sluggish to dead for the last 2-3 years...my impression anyway.
That's really what it seems. There was a time where you could profit flipping the old w124s and w123s. My dad made a killing on them quite a few years ago.

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  #17  
Old 08-13-2017, 07:14 AM
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"I know one day I will have to liquidate everything because of health or logistic reasons (thinking about renting my house), but until that time, It seems I will still collect them. Who knows, in the future I may be one of only a few that has a large stash of 123 parts! " ROLLGUY you have a point.The great thing ABOUT FEEDING THE ADDICTION OF Cheap-benz-itis is another ONE is just waiting for you to bring it back to life.Most yard sitters require way more work just to get it moving from its present spot IF IT is A GASSER CAR .If you imagine yourself wondering up to a w123 DIESEL and after looking it over for a few minutes you just knew you could get it started and running again with just xy and z.This is the draw to these cars and it is an enjoyable endeavor once started ,too bring it out of its deep slumber and pull it out on a madian voyage is the funnest part for me..... usually to get more parts.
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  #18  
Old 08-13-2017, 09:15 AM
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Older MBs, like any other car make, is a niche market. Driven by so many factors it is probably tough to figure it out. Money, supply-and-demand, time, and the list goes on. Folks may drive an older car out of necessity or appearances. Remember, a W123 back in the day sold for low to mid $30K, and in today's dollars that's around $100K. So, who wouldn't like to own a "$100K Car" for $1 to $2K. Also, I think folks are realizing that a pristine W123 for example in a Pebble Beach concours quality is only worth around $10K so not worth the investment as an investment except you like driving around in a nice, older German car. As for the W123 (using that as my example throughout), they are pretty simple overall, and to maintain them is very, very cheap. Yes, I said it. Go buy OEM replacement parts and repair it yourself versus or compare it against a newer car which is dicey when it comes to repairs by the DIYer and the pricing on parts. Lastly, the CL flippers or those on cloud nine are hurting the market. They flood the market with cars with listings at double or more of what they should be and then you see cars more reasonably priced in the $1K to $2K range, so folks always shy away from the "cheaper" ones because they think there's something wrong. I am always amused by the folks trying to sell a W123 on CL for $2K or more or $5K plus range and it doesnt run or it's a rust bucket with a grocery list of issues. Now, compare those against someone who is more realistic or honest selling a nice one for $1,500 to $2,500? Folks will think something is up or what's the catch?
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  #19  
Old 08-13-2017, 09:53 AM
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W124 don't hold value hardly at all we have to admit that.


These cars got popular again back when the recession happened and when fuel was at $4-$5a gallon. This is when diesels came back and everyone in the back of there mind had remembered that someone once told them that Mercedes diesels are the best cars so they went out and started buying them.

This.sparked the WVO and BIODIESEL craze and that went on a few years, the economy went back up, fuel prices came down and people started moving away from there economical grease burner. Or just started.moving away from there cheaper older cars in general.


We got spoiled and the prices of these Mercedes went way up for this time and we all go used to it and now it's slowly but surely been falling over the past 5 years and we are at the tail end of it now.

That's my opinion on a major roll in it
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  #20  
Old 08-13-2017, 10:11 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdoublenastywitit View Post
W124 don't hold value hardly at all we have to admit that.


These cars got popular again back when the recession happened and when fuel was at $4-$5a gallon. This is when diesels came back and everyone in the back of there mind had remembered that someone once told them that Mercedes diesels are the best cars so they went out and started buying them.

This.sparked the WVO and BIODIESEL craze and that went on a few years, the economy went back up, fuel prices came down and people started moving away from there economical grease burner. Or just started.moving away from there cheaper older cars in general.


We got spoiled and the prices of these Mercedes went way up for this time and we all go used to it and now it's slowly but surely been falling over the past 5 years and we are at the tail end of it now.

That's my opinion on a major roll in it
Have to well agree with this entire dissertation. However, I don't drive mine because of any of that. I simply love to drive and further, I am a bit of a tinker, so these vehicles fit the bill perfectly! I also own a heavily modified VW GTI, so if I feel like blistering the track or peeling up some pavement making those kids with their rice burners looks silly, I have that too. The VW is an OD on adrenaline, but the MB to me is pure pleasure. Since I have a TD, she has plenty of pick up for the highway, but again it is the feeling of joy I get settled in that Mertex seat cruising in my cacoon of comfort where all the controls are right where they should be, shes effortlessly responding to each of my commands. Good times!

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  #21  
Old 08-13-2017, 10:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larryloveslala View Post
Have to well agree with this entire dissertation. However, I don't drive mine because of any of that. I simply love to drive and further, I am a bit of a tinker, so these vehicles fit the bill perfectly! I also own a heavily modified VW GTI, so if I feel like blistering the track or peeling up some pavement making those kids with their rice burners looks silly, I have that too. The VW is an OD on adrenaline, but the MB to me is pure pleasure. Since I have a TD, she has plenty of pick up for the highway, but again it is the feeling of joy I get settled in that Mertex seat cruising in my cacoon of comfort where all the controls are right where they should be, shes effortlessly responding to each of my commands. Good times!

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One last item here. I have been blessed with several well made vehicles, all with their specific purpose and place in the paddock. But my daughter has decided of all our cars that when she's of age to get her license, she wants the w210! So all hope is NOT lost. 😉

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  #22  
Old 08-13-2017, 10:53 AM
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To determine market price, put it on ebay with no reserve. Fact is most older Euro cars have negative value because parts costs are outrageous. The manufacturers are probably to blame, and makes you wonder why people keep buying new ones (clueless?). I saw a co-worker driving a new Mustang and asked what happened to his newish BMW gasser? His mechanic informed him to get out while he could after the last "incident". Fuel pump failed and it is integral with the tank (not kidding), which cost $4000 to replace.

On the plus side, people here keep coming up with ways to maintain these older diesels affordably. Some parts costs are also dropping dramatically as suppliers see the market. I am the last one here to bash the URO brand as I am happy when anyone provides parts. Downside is that although the W123 seems ubiquitous around the world, there were actually very few sold compared to many Chevy or Ford models.
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  #23  
Old 08-13-2017, 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by BillGrissom View Post
................ Downside is that although the W123 seems ubiquitous around the world, there were actually very few sold compared to many Chevy or Ford models.
Yes, but most of those Chevy and Ford models are being/have been scrapped long ago. Practically every day I see a W123 (that is not mine) on the road. Very rarely do I see a Chevy (or other GM) or Ford of the same vintage on the road. If I do see one, it is restored and out for a cruise, or at a car show. Not too many of these left as daily drivers. More often, but still seldom do I even see an 80's Honda or Toyota. I do see a LOT of them in the wrecking yards though.......Rich

Last edited by ROLLGUY; 08-13-2017 at 12:01 PM.
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  #24  
Old 08-13-2017, 11:40 AM
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i've shed off a bunch of stuff in the last 2 months due to several of the reasons already noted in this thread.
0% financing, better warranties, 30+ mpg (from even some of the v8's), etc. have made the used car an unnecessary risk, real or perceived, with little reward, for most people.
since i hit 50, i have less energy and less mobility than i did even a few years ago, it seems; so i don't enjoy working on cars like i once did.
since i sold my rollback i really don't have a way to 'collect' broken cars like i used to, or i would probably still be doing that for some reason.

i just bought a hyundai ionic hybrid for my wife for $22k. 55 mpg., 10yr/100k mile warranty and 5 years roadside assist......peace of mind for me that:
a) wife and kid are in a new vehicle
b) likely a couple years of repair-free driving
c) undying gratitude from my sigoth....as if.

i had a couple 20 something guys looking at an $800 subaru (that i have $1250 in) the other evening and after 35 minutes of endless (inane) questions and tire-kicking, i wanted to stick needles in my eyes.......just isn't worth the freaking agro for me anymore.
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  #25  
Old 08-13-2017, 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by BillGrissom View Post
his newish BMW gasser? His mechanic informed him to get out while he could after the last "incident". Fuel pump failed and it is integral with the tank (not kidding), which cost $4000 to replace.

I'd challenge the alleged price, what year , model?
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  #26  
Old 08-13-2017, 01:30 PM
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i would challenge the logic in designing a fuel pump that cannot be replaced or serviced without replacing the fuel tank
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Originally Posted by 97 SL320 View Post
I'd challenge the alleged price, what year , model?
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  #27  
Old 08-13-2017, 01:38 PM
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I have always generally had trouble selling my old benzes. Generally I just keep fixing them until they sell. I am a patient man. Sometimes it takes a couple years. At least now its not like it once was (2 decades ago).....nobody could believe an old 240D with 200K could be nice enough to consider.
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  #28  
Old 08-13-2017, 01:44 PM
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better off holding onto a no rust example and converting to electric in a few years when battery prices start to drop.
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  #29  
Old 08-13-2017, 02:11 PM
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Old Mercedes generally don't have any real value, though it does seem like prices on the oldest models are skyrocketing. They are not appreciated very much in this country. The general public's perception is that they are worth a lot of money, and also cost a lost of money to maintain, when in fact the opposite is true.

On the other hand, any basic Ford or GM product from the 1970s or older is gold in this country. I had an extremely nice and mechanically solid daily driver 1979 W116 300SD on eBay a few years ago. It even had new door, windshield, and taillight weatherstripping, Euro headlights, manual windows, new tires, and a set of 5 matching spare new tires in the trunk. After several attempts at selling it, I finally got $900 or something before eBay took their fees. The new owner drove it home to Alberta, Canada.

At this same time, my roommate had a 1971 Ford Pinto with some body damage and in need of work. He listed it on eBay and had people knocking down his door for it. He finally got $3,500 for the thing from a guy out of state. Take a look at older American cars. You can't touch those things anymore. If it's a popular model, you're paying $5,000 for a rusted out shell. At the same time, Mercedes people think that if you're paying $5,000 for a Mercedes, it better be perfect.

Speaking of people in this country not appreciating old Mercedes, every other time I've sold a Mercedes, it's been someone from out of the country (Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan). A lot of the parts I sell go overseas, too.

Even back when old diesel Mercedes were really popular because of biofuels, the people buying them were often people wanting to run on cheap or free fuel, so they didn't want to pay much for them, and often didn't maintain them very well thinking that an engine that needs little maintenance and lasts many miles needs NO maintenance.

I bought my first Mercedes 13 years ago because I was living under the poverty level and it was only $300. But, I was very impressed by the power, economy, and climbing ability of the diesel engine compared to the American V8s I had driven before. I also liked the handling, turning radius, and how it felt like I was only going 25 MPH at 65 MPH. But, the climate control and power windows didn't work, so I got rid of it after breaking the driver side window glass and not knowing how to fix the climate control.

Years later I got one for free and then actually taught myself how to properly fix Mercedes. That got me back into them again and I have always had an interest in biodiesel and had been wanting to try it. Not because of cheap fuel, but because of being renewable and good for the environment. By then I was living in Washington, land of the cheap and plentiful Mercedes.

Right now I am of the frame of mind of keeping one car as long as possible, because you'll lose your investment every time you sell and when you buy again, you won't get as much for your money and will have to sink more money in again. The longer you keep the same car, the more value you retain in reliability from all the parts you've fixed or replaced.

I think the value in an old Mercedes is in the quality and reliability of the product, not in the resale, for sure. Great cars if you get one to keep and actually use. Maybe not so great to turn a profit on.
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  #30  
Old 08-13-2017, 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by greazzer View Post
I am always amused by the folks trying to sell a W123 on CL for $2K or more or $5K plus range and it doesnt run or it's a rust bucket with a grocery list of issues.
Yes but those are the ones that get "50 miles to the gallon" and are "known to go 1 million miles with no repairs". And they usually just need a ten dollar part to be road worthy again but the seller just doesn't have time.

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