Rough 1980 SD sells for $8400 on BAT
 

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1980-mercedes-benz-300sd-7/

Insane price for a reserve auction of a very rough car. This is a $3000 craigslist car IMO.
Now is the time to sell I guess.

Everyone in the comment section jerking off to this piece except 1 guy. Look at the windshield, they didn't even put the trim back in it because they didn't know what the hell they were doing. Rotten jack points painted to look strong. Rust all around. Runny paint. Car is a mess.

Umm, I know this car is not perfect, but if it's "very rough" I hate to think what mine are. I wouldn't even call it rough. Yeah the price seems a little high but W116 SDs are pretty scarce in general, and most of the ones I've seen are much worse than this ... plus even with the cosmetic glitches it's a 74K-mile car with maintenance stamps up to the last 5K. I wouldn't compare it to 123s because there are nice w123s all over the place. They built fewer than 30,000 300SDs and over a million 240D/300D/300TDs.

Wow, if that is $8400, what's the matter with this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/300-Series-300SD-TURBODIESEL-LEATHER-WOOD-ALLOYS-88K-MILES/163089056674?hash=item25f8dd83a2:g:lsIAAOSwPhhbG0r5&vxp=mtr

I guess its like real estate - location, location. East coast W116 cars are a rarity. I know of one green ga$$er that I see around. No others.

Yes location probably matters but like I said, scarcity in general. Plenty of decent or very nice w126s to be had all over. Same thing with 123 vs 115. I've seen lots of pretty meh 115s go for $5k while a decent w123 can be had for less than $2k. Yeah if you live in California it's easier to find any of them for cheaper. Everywhere else the 116/115 are getting to be extremely rare. And even in Calif, everything I look at, the 115/116 are higher than 123/126. Again, this one seems kind of high. But I'm not that surprised for an auction.

Got it. But I can't see any redeeming quality to want a 116 vs a 126, or a 115 vs a 123.

Maybe that's just me, but the MB diesel kind of hit its pinnacle.

Yeah, 124/210/211 cars have more modern qualities, but also start trading complexities.

Nothing against 115 or 116 cars, and the 116 is sure pretty, I wanted one for a long while. But my stable would be filled with a 126 SD, and then a V12 SL of some kind if I added more cars.

If I was looking for an oldie, I think Id look for a fintail.

Not being argumentative, that's just me... :)

Nah I get what you're saying. I think it's just a matter of taste and I'm guessing a lot of people would prefer the 126 or 123. I'd probably prefer a 116 to 126, but, considering you can find a great 126 for relatively cheap, I'd probably choose that. But the 116/115s do have a certain charm and I'm guessing that combined with fewer available has driven up the market. I suspect as 123s and 126s become more scarce (the fact that they aren't yet speaks to their quality) we will see a similar trend.

Of course what I really want is a W113. Dream on. Even R107s, which I'd be happy to have as well, have shot up in price unless it's a total junker (and when I say total junker, I mean actual total mess).

I highly prefer the W116 over the W123 or W126. I had figured that's how everyone else felt, and the reason most people chose W123s or W126s over the W116 was simply due to how scarce the W116s are. Interesting.

Care to share why? They're great looking cars, that's for sure.

My logic has been that the 123/126 was the furthest along in engineering design, before stuff started getting electrified.

I read long ago that 116s were very rust prone, my experience on the east coast backs that up.

when we're in the half-million production numbers for a chassis, I'm just not convinced scarcity is the biggest issue for value. Sure, there were not as many 116s than 123s. There were also far fewer 123 coupes than 123 wagons made - but wagons get a lot more dough.

In my opinion, the W116 is better-looking and seems to be higher quality. It is, of course, the S-Class to the E-Class W123. It's also a lot nimbler, has a much sharper turning radius, and is easier to drive than a W126--which feels like driving a big boat that's dragging its anchor, and is hard to park. I've never driven a car with a nicer ride than a W116.

A W116 is built more like a Rolls-Royce when compared to a W123, but it makes sense because the W123 was meant to be a more economy-minded vehicle. The W126 has too much plastic for my liking, and then anything newer than that, might as well just buy a new car.

Thanks. Makes a lot of sense. Agree that the 123 doesn't compare to a 116; rather, that comparison would be a 115.

I don't have firsthand driving experience of the 116 vs 126 - inteeeting info!

I've owned a 116 and 123 for many years. The 116 is a better built vehicle in almost every way and it feels so much better. But honestly, it should. Only thing I like better in the 123 is the climate control because Mercedes lost their mind on the 116 and thought using something from Chrysler was a good idea.

It goes to show you that MANY BaT cars are overhyped. People get into a bidding war and price goes up.

I would take a 123 over a 116 any day. With the same engine, same condition, same price - I’d go 123 every time. Just my preference - and just mentioning this to illustrate that preference for 116 is not universal.

I do not see any mention of rust and this car is a rusty POS. The jack points are full of bondo trying to hide the rust from what I see in the photos. Lots or rust behind the rear wheel wells that they are trying to hide.

We have a W116, a W126, and a couple of W123's. I like the W116 very well, my biggest disappointment is that MB didn't make a wagon with that body style. The interior is a little more spacious, there is more room in the engine compartment to work, and I have the impression that the car drives smoother than the W123. I am working on this car to bring it back to shape to be an over the road vehicle.

That being said, the W123 wagon fits my everyday needs very well and I am very delighted to have one. I also can get the W123 in a smaller parking spot!

I am also impressed with the W126 as an over the road vehicle. While a good car, it does not quite impress me to have the Mb quality edge of the other two. That being said, it is not for sale either.

I do watch for these older cars coming up for sale, but it is mostly window shopping. I don't see as many of the W116's as the other two, but do occasionally see one that catches my eye. But how many old diesel MB's does a person need, or does need have anything to do with it?

Regards,

W.

$1000 car with all that rot hidden by fiberglass and Bondo. What a joke.

While it could well be there, I'm just not seeing body filler or fiberglass. I see normal weld lines around the jack holes that look factory, and some cracking of the undercoating. I see the touch-up marks, paint overspray, paint on the new windshield seal for some reason, and the inner fenders under the hood being painted non-body color.

I would have certainly wanted to inspect the vehicle in person before paying that kind of money and agree that the car was probably went for at least $2,000-$3,000 over market value, but maybe someone really liked the color combination.

You have to admit that the interior is fantastic. Most of these interiors are fried by now, with no new parts available. I think it all comes down to how solid the body is underneath the paint. If it is truly rusted out and patched up, then it's probably a $2,000-$3,000 car at best.

Agreed, interior looked great - but as an owner of a similar interior it's not as impressive as it should be maybe.

I see so many crappy touch up paint spots, and so many little areas of rust (like on fender lips, etc). It's crazy that they replaced windshield seal without any trim AND then painted over it. the black paint in lower quaterpanels. The atrocious engine bay - so many rusty things in there. Just too many red flags, I can image a can of worms for the new buyer when they start poking around.

As for jack points, I can't tell whats going on there. I did some clean up of my jack points. I ground the surface rust down to bare metal, sealed properly with 3M urethane and repainted with gravel guard. This doesn't mean my jack points were rusted through or compromised or bondo filled - in other words, compromised. So I think my jack points - while they may look to be non-original, are as strong as factory, and have been treated to prevent further rust.

I think overall the 116 is finally getting it's day in the sun. They have been crushed at an alarming rate now for the longest time as it has very much been passed over as the ugly girl at the Benz dance. Though this particular one might have been less than stellar, finding low mileage minty ones is nigh impossible now. Bodes well for the 116 market overall, I think we will see prices steadily rising, especially for nice ones. They truly are rock solid with excellent road manners. Coupled with little/no electronic BS to deal with they represent great value.

I do get the impression that this one was probably doctored up a bit for resale. The interior probably survived, as they tend to do that in wet climates. Who knows about the body unless it's inspected in person.

I do remember seeing a very nice freshly-painted black W116 300SD with no rust, which had the interior wood professionally refinished in Macassar Ebony (darker version of Zebrano), new seat skins, new carpet, paint-matched wheel covers, new DieselMeken injection pump, and had the automatic climate control converted to manual. It went for only an insulting $3,750, which is probably nearly what just the paint and seat skins cost. Now THAT was a good buy! It's not perfect, but what a great start.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1980-Mercedes-Benz-300-Series-/142531717039?nma=true&si=qOf9oBwuxTVMn9zfA44YOcMZpJM%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l255 7

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1530911503
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1530911503
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1530911503
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1530911503
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1530911503

But hey, if you don't like W116s, that's just more, and cheaper parts for me.

This is probably the nicest condition 300SD I have ever seen, and it's local to me: https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/d/sd-showroom-condition/6642672425.html $17,995 for this one.

https://images.craigslist.org/00q0q_...J_1200x900.jpg
https://images.craigslist.org/00f0f_...Q_1200x900.jpg
https://images.craigslist.org/00f0f_...y_1200x900.jpg
https://images.craigslist.org/00b0b_...M_1200x900.jpg
https://images.craigslist.org/00y0y_...G_1200x900.jpg
https://images.craigslist.org/00i0i_...n_1200x900.jpg

That looks beautiful. Love the color. Wonder if the seats are ok under the skins - I assume they're necessary in such a hot climate.

Subwoofer integration looks clean, wonder if it gets much sound to the cabin. The stereo is ugly in the dash :(

The W116 is easily my favorite of the W115/W116/W123/W126 group. The only drawback for me is that most came with the crappy evil servo system. A nice 450sel or 300SD for me is the pinnacle of the 70s/80s' era Mercedes sedan.

Excellent used car polishing techniques. Fresh paint (who knows what's under it), interior fabbed up to look new (maybe even shoe polish in the vinyl), sunset pictures with a fresh, heavy coat of wax, perfect landscape parking.

Very distracting from the reality of owning one of these slow beasts of burden, but compared to the dire straights of the over-engineered cars today....
The value of these cars shall continue to go up as long they don't get too rusted out.

Uncle Kent has a 1980 W116 300SD for sale on his site for $13,800.
https://dq4zp01npifg0.cloudfront.net...?itok=onhn_bw0
https://dq4zp01npifg0.cloudfront.net...?itok=v7DOJxkw
https://dq4zp01npifg0.cloudfront.net...?itok=3d7ptfNo

Here is one with awesome (and rare) bumpers for $16,750: https://www.ebay.com/itm/300-SD-Turbo-Diesel/232856015606
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sS...s=w800-h600-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Pp...k=w800-h600-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Os...o=w800-h600-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eQ...0=w800-h600-no

Or, if money is no object, here is one for $59,888: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1980-Mercedes-Benz-300-SD/132847081501
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1541639846

This one is a nice color combination (Burnt Sienna and Parchment): https://www.ebay.com/itm/1980-Mercedes-Benz-300-Series-SD/192736255386 Bidding starts at $9,500.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/CnQAA...ePu/s-l500.jpg

The divel you say:

'79 300SD; 230k; $1500

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/d/1979-mercedes-300sd-diesel/6751714626.html

https://i.postimg.cc/q7qXYbR0/W116.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/k5HFdQ6S/W116-2-0.jpg

If you search a euro version of the w116 you’ll see what I consider one of the best designed cars from the 70s ,it’s not just the lines that the wide body owns but the bumper and lights that the car wears that makes the car a desirable garagable Parker.

W116's aren't higher quality than w123. They are essentially equal in build quality. Of course, you're free to try to provide examples of why you think so

w116 does have a sharper turning radius than all w123's--that's one provable fact in your post

I never had a problem parking a w126--I owned a 300se for years. What is the difference in length and visibility between a 450sel and a 300se?

As for plastic, that's quite a leap in the last statement: "might as well buy a new car." There is an appreciable difference between a new car and a w126, and it has a lot more to do with quantity of plastic components.

You make a lot of broad level statements in one brief post. Definitely don't assume that everyone agrees with any of them

Those were my opinions and my explanations for why I feel that way. A W116 does have more wood trim, higher quality interior paneling and parts, and is more highly optioned than a W123 since it was a more expensive car and in a different tier. I also think they are more comfortable and better-looking.

That doesn't mean a person might not still prefer a W123 over a W116. People usually don't agree with me. I'm often the only one in a group who feels a certain way, so it's nothing new to me. I just don't understand the other persons' reasons as they don't seem apparent.

I don't think there is really any appreciable difference in length and visibility between the W116 and W126, but I do know from experience that a long wheelbase W126 is difficult to park. I'm not sure how it compares to a long wheelbase W116 or a short wheelbase W126, but know a short wheelbase W116 has a W123 and W126 beat in turning radius. Not that that's a deciding factor, just a bonus.

Also, what makes you think that the "W123 and W126 are better than a W116 in every way"? http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/299514-116s-best-3.html#post2965336 All I keep reading from you is "built better". How is that different than what you are pointing out about me?

I'm not sure what your crusade is against the W116, but not everyone dislikes them as do you.

To which I responded:
Not that it really matters. The jack points are supposed to be strong enough to support the weight of the car, anyway, and any Mercedes made after World War II will probably stand up to lifting it from all four jack points.

I'm simply expressing my opinion. Sorry if you don't feel the same, but I'm not asking you to, either.