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Need to sell :( Need help with pricing
Been a LONG time since I've been around here, but I regretfully need to say goodbye to this project. The wife has been MORE than patient with me on this, but I've finally admitted to myself that it's just not going to be finished by me.
Problem is, I have no idea these days what sort of price I should be looking for and what these diesel's value are anymore. It's been sitting in the garage for quite a while now, with the original intention of me going all through the car and basically restoring everything...but it just hasn't happened and isn't going to. I thought I would be keeping it for life. But, my DIY time is very limited anymore. So this is where I need some help. I'd honestly, seriously appreciate any feedback you can give regarding asking price...or even other suggestions, for this car. Below is as much detail as I can come up with. 1985 White 300SD Major options: - Driver's side airbag, heated seats, ABS I'm the second "driver" (3rd technical 'owner'. Second owner was MB shop guy who bought it from the original owner. Second owner (shop guy) didn't put miles on it - just ended up reselling it. Just shy of 200K mi. Bought it at about 102K mi. Interior condition: - I'd give it an honest 7-8/10. No rips in the leather, carpet is in good shape. Interior is that red/burgundy color. - Wood is pretty decent. Glossy. (none missing). - Very Good quality burgundy sheepskin seat covers on both front seats and in excellent shape! - Put in new Mercedes floor mats couple years ago. - Nice wood shift knob, I put in. - The stitching in the back seat, in the middle (where your head would rest) is just now starting to come loose. - The vinyl 'skin' material that covers that pillar between the front and back seats is looking pretty sad though. Needs to be replaced or glued down or something. Exterior condition: This is harder to give a rating. It really depends on how you define things. So instead - Here's some wording that should hopefully give a good feel. - Paint - Once I have it cleaned up and freshly waxed, looks really nice! - There are the scattered small chips (front, door edges) and minor scratches, but there isn't any rust (at least that I can see anywhere!) - Football sized smooth indention (no creases) in front right corner panel behind the chrome strip. - After spending about $700 at an excellent ding removal place when I first got this car, a couple years later, it managed to find a single new ding in the driver's door. It's an ugly one but can be fixed. Otherwise, no other big (or minor) dings since then. - Engine bay area is really nice and clean. One thing I hate is getting dirty just from sticking your hand/arm into the engine area...so I've always tried to keep it wiped down and clean. No oil leaks in there either. Problem areas: - For the most part, just about everything works. - Right front window regulator is pretty iffy. In the process of trying to fix right now. - A/C needs a recharge. Seems to get to this point every couple of years. Probably needs to be diagnosed to locate a leak somewhere, but once it's charged up, it's COLD for years. - Trunk lid won't stay open due to a repair on the rear end and they used a STEEL trunk lid (new). These '85 300SD's use aluminum hoods and trunk lids to save weight. The trunk lid has springs that are designed to hold up the weight of the lighter aluminum trunk lid. Now, with the heavier steel one, it doesn't stay up on its own. - Front tires prematurely wear out inner edge tread. Next project to address this was going to be the UCA's. Easy DIY job. - Nice rear speakers that I originally put in have finally gone bad. Needs new rear speakers. - Dash has one crack on the driver's side that's about an inch long (very narrow split - not a gapping crack). Otherwise, it's in great shape! - Rear window needs tinting (other windows are already tinted) - Driver's seat belt sometimes gets locked up. It's weird. I have to open the panel up and play with it to get it to retract. Then it's fine again for a couple months. Major/important/'worth mentioning' repairs/upkeeps/upgrades/additions: Keep in mind that pretty much all the things listed here were not replaced/installed because something was broken - I just wanted to completely go through and refresh the car, so things were simply replaced with new OEM parts. (No aftermarket junk used) - Fully Rebuilt turbo (Would have to go look it up, but this was a high quality full kit!) - Rebuilt vacuum pump - New Bosch alternator - New alternator bracket(?) assembly - New oil cooler lines - All new parts and tube for the air cleaner oil separator drain tube assembly - Brand new auxiliary heater pump - very low mileage since then. - New air bracket assembly - New radiator about 20K ago - Been using Mobile 1 oil since I got the car with ~102Kmi. Regular oil changes with OEM filters. - Valves adjusted by MB Indy ~20-25Kmi. - Primary water pump replaced couple years ago (developed small leak) - Tranny serviced at MB Indy shop ~25Kmi. - New differential mounts (haven't done tranny mounts yet) - New rear subframe mounts - Euro-lights (Bosch) installed! (huge lighting improvement) - New Bosch starter not many miles ago - New coolant overflow tank and cap - I even have one of those rebuilt cruise control amps ($$) that I haven't yet installed. Otherwise, the CC engages and works great about 30% time. Once it engages, it's fine...it's just a matter of it deciding WHEN it's going to actually engage. Just never got around to installing the amp because I didn't do much travelling that needed cruise AFTER buying it. D'oh. - Replaced all the fuses with copper ones - Many new vacuum lines and various fuel lines in the engine bay replaced - Almost everything in the front suspension has been replaced. As far as I can recall, the only things I have NOT replaced are the UCA's, LCA bushings, ....hmm, that might be it. - Tons of fix-up work on the front suspension over the years. - New guide-rod mounts (no more clunkity clunk clunk) - New motor mounts - Off road EGR kit (*ALL* tubing, wiring, EVERYTHING associated with the EGR is gone and removed 100%) - Shift linkage bushings replaced (no more wobbly shifter) - Had the power steering unit assembly rebuilt by my local old-school diesel MB Indy mechanic. There is minimal free-play in the steering now. Unit was pulled out of the car and calibrated. - Sunroof opens/closes nicely. Never have had a problem with it since I bought it. Lubed the slides a couple years ago, but other than that, it has just worked. - Have replaced the door check straps on probably all four doors by now. - New power window motor on driver's front door. - Hood pad is currently removed. I have a new one that I just haven't had a chance to install yet. - When I got the car, the chain stretch was measured to be about 2-3 degrees. Been using Mobile 1 since so I imagine it's not much worse now. - Brand new front grey plastic grill insert. New chrome strips too. - Dash clock works - New front ATE rotors - New front wheel bearings - No Rust!! (maybe somewhere there's some normal minor surface fuzz like you'd expect to see on pretty much ANY car, but otherwise, this is a rust-free car) - Power antenna works Running condition: - Starts great (WHEN I have a battery and things are all put back together). The car hasn't been started for about 5 years, but last time I did start it, it was the coldest day of the year so far (about 20F). Glowed it twice and it cranked right up and ran beautifully! - 100% oil pressure as soon as you start to rev engine. At idle, sits at ~2 bars - Idles excellent - Accelerates smoothly - Power is about what you expect with these cars. - Measured ~9PSI being generated from the turbo. - Shifts smoothly - NEVER have had a problem with violent shifts on this car like I've read with others. No issues here. - Brakes work nicely. Been using PBR deluxe last couple years. Been Very happy with them....and that's what's on the car right now. They're pretty fresh too. - New front Bilstein HD shocks couple years ago. Have not replaced rears yet since they don't 'seem' to need replacing. - Rear springs have been replaced to help with the 'saggy butt' W126 syndrome. - Burns minimal oil. I pretty much go a whole oil change cycle w/o adding any oil. Have always run synthetic oil. I've got all the records and receipts. Receipts are both mine AND from the original owner. TONS of them. I'm sure there's more. This is just what I can recall off the top of my head right now. As I remember anything worth mentioning, I'll make an update. If someone is looking to adopt one of these beauties as a 'lifer', this would be a really nice candidate. My investment loss would be your gain. I'm scared to even start adding up what I've got invested in this car. Between the original car price, Indy mechanic repair bills, parts I've replaced, etc., it's....a LOT. Didn't care though because I thought I'd have it forever. If you've gotten this far, thank you for reading. And if you are interested, let me know. |
I'm in similar position on an 84SD. People look at what doesn't work. You may have $5k into the car but would be lucky to get $2500.
Were I buying and you said "the AC just needs recharging" I would call bull and price as if the whole thing needs to be redone. Besides, it's R12 which is expensive to "try" to see if it will hold a charge. Don't give the good parts you have with the car if you're worried about price. You'll get more selling separately. You could say that they "are for sale and you are in discussion" which would be true of you were to list them here or elsewhere. Do get it washed, buffed and running as well as possible before listing. You know more about that car than most buyers but you don't need to put a fine point on all of the nigglin little things that you were planning to fix. |
Appreciate the feedback.
Problem now is that if I want to get it back to a driveable condition (needs several minor things, biggest one I'm not looking forward to is SOMEHOW draining and purging diesel from the tank that's been in there for about 10 years!) and cleaned up, I actually need to speed some time and $ on it...which if I were to do all that, I might end up being tempted to then just keep it (Wife seriously wants it gone) or still sell it but for pennies on the dollars that I have into it. Guess I was hoping that maybe after all these years they'd started to appreciate in value. If my personal history continues to repeat itself though, their value will sky rocket 6 months after I finally sell it for next to nothing. |
Hey OP.
Did I miss it or did you mention, somewhere, what year make and model the car in question is. I figure it's a Benz, diesel W126, but that's as much as I can glean from your post. I didn't see what color it is either. |
Wondering that myself...
You might consider refocusing on the visual elements (at least a photo, the make and model, color, etc). |
Woops!
Not sure how I forgot those minor details! It's an '85 white 300SD (red/burgundy interior) For a photo, I might just have to grab an old photo I have around (hopefully). Getting it in photo-ready condition right now would be an all weekend project. |
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I bet you will find someone that appreciates all the work you've done. If you lived closer to me, I'd be very tempted. |
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From the TLC that it's evident you lavished on this car it's clear that you recognized it for the keeper that it is, should have been or can still be. Maybe this could be the catalyst for that watershed moment where you decide the wife won't get to deprive you of this one last source of pleasure and satisfaction - you have already rid yourself of all other project cars. Don't have DIY time right now or near future? Fine, prep the car for long term storage. You will have time in the long term. The '85 was the culmination of the build - they introduced the refinements on the transmission vacuum management, hence the smooooooooth shifts and replaced the diff with the 2:88 for lower revs at highway speeds. How many times have you encountered "gone but missed"; "wish I hadn't sold it"; "best car I ever had" etc when reading through guys' fleet list in their signatures just like yours? Is that what you want us to read next to your "1985 300SD - 'Grace' (198K mi.)"? |
Try turning the engine by hand. It may be locked up. If not, dump some Startron into the tank, check the oil and find out whether it will start. Or get some clean fuel in a can like doing a diesel purge then start it. You might be surprised.
It's worth $500 not running because there is no way to test things like trans etc. The list goes on. Why the limited DIY time? and you could just keep it since it won't bring much in its current condition. I've used that excuse before. It works well. |
Get good photos, whatever that takes to make happen.
Sell it on an enthusiast type site(which you're doing here), where you might find people who appreciate all you've done. Your description and repair history is great, but if I was looking at a car, the instant I hear that it hasn't moved in ten years, I'd immediately discount all of it. Condition of the car now must be evaluated, starting at zero. Definitely get it unburied, cleaned, running and driving, to get any kind of value at all out of it. Best of luck. |
You won't sell it unless you can demonstrate it running, so install a battery. You can buy a used one cheap at junk yards. Some people might buy it just for the engine to swap into a 4WD. That is how I got a 1983 300D which the owner just needed removed after taking the engine. Running, in presentable condition, I see 1980's 300D and 300SD around me asking $2500 on craigslist and has been that way for 2 decades. I doubt they will ever gain classic value like a 1960's muscle car.
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That is painful to hear. REALLY painful...given how much I've sunk into it. It would be a whole other discussion but wondering what sort of demand there would be for parts, if I chose to just part it out. But even then, that would mean having the car sitting in the garage in an even worse 'looking' condition to the wife...for some completely undetermined period of time....which would drive her INSANE. |
Selling parts takes effort - removing, taking pics, answering questions, figuring out packaging, doing the packaging etc. Fleabay used to take ~13% of the total including shipping.
Unless you think that is fun, want to learn it well enough to figure out a system or need the money and don't have another source of income, just take the loss and go on - or fix it as intended. Order parts for 1 task per week, install parts from last week is one method to move along. Of course, install the parts you have 1st. Figure out how far it is from being a fair weather daily driver. It needs to be minimum useable to sell for the $2500. You may find an enthusiast but they're cheap which is why many yards don't fool with old cars. |
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I would never do that in a Porsche of the same vintage... (Unless it was a ratty 944 or 924) |
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944s & 924s used to only minimally qualify as Porsches. Now the price is going up. It's hard to find an air cooled 911 for under $40k. |
Sorry man. Almost universally, cars are simply not an investment, they're an expense. Especially older and not incredibly desirable "classics" that can soak up a LOT of work and $$$$, and still in the end not be worth a whole lot more than what was paid for the car to begin with. It's definitely an enthusiast type of car, something people build for themselves and not for resale.
My Yota diesel as an example, it's a hacked together diesel swap, and likely now worth less on the market than an unmolested original truck, despite the diesel swap costing ~$3k more than just replacing the bad gas motor. I knew that was going to be the case when starting the project. I agree with the others about driving a ratty project if needed. My swap is very much imperfect - when I started driving it, it had no power steering, front shocks, and I was sucking on a tube to shut it down. Better to drive an imperfect project and DRIVE IT, than wait to drive it till I've got it perfect(never). 50k miles on the swap, now. $2500 sucks, but how much money is it putting in your pocket right now? I'd have a discussion with the wife. The car obviously means a lot to you, and hopefully she'll understand and value your wants too. If you're putting solid time and work into getting the car operable, with an end date in site, then she may change her tune on having it around. An imperfect car, that you're driving and enjoying, is a hugely different situation than hulk taking up garage space, with stuff piled on it. |
I think if your patient you can get more 2500 for it...
5k you will sell it w/ in a month or so, 7k you sell it w/ in 6 months, anything more than that you are gonna have to sell it on a bringatrailer type site. But ya if you want those numbers you have to get it out that garage washes up and "forget to mention" it's been sitting for that long. If you are just trying to sell it as is sitting ur garage, then ya u will be lucky to get 2500 |
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At this point, I think I'd rather continue fighting the battle with her a little while longer and just try to do a little bit here and there until I can get it out in the driveway and get it washed and waxed. Then I'll re-assess asking price. Found a couple old images in case anyone was curious. https://ln.sync.com/dl/d95d6bd90/7eienx6i-65i6933z-ncfhpcz8-ejmhfy4p https://ln.sync.com/dl/f02522030/qzp6uink-xn37mqwk-8q2nnqs2-uwdsdv9j https://ln.sync.com/dl/9323810e0/mauf4ifk-sni4kki4-micz63cx-gc3q5y2n |
Not even in the DD garage?
There are other issues in play.... Those photos look great, what needed restoration?? |
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Ha Ha. Rude but very funny. Some women are just better than old cars. I agree. Keep it. I have an 85 SD california edition one owner. It is my favorite. I love the red interior on white. I would pay a mechanic to do the work , get it running and put in on BAT or something. Everyone here is a DIYer wanting a deal good enough to make being in the dog house with their wife bearable :) |
I'd consider the value of wife that wouldn't let me have my projects. I certainly wouldn't sell that car. I just spent probably $5k on a paint job and don't have it back together yet. I didn't bother to log the payments because it was more than the car is worth but I wanted it painted well and had the money.
A mortician is fond of pointing out that there are no u-hauls behind a hearse. My children and grand children are doing well. I and my wife are healthy - We each do what we want. No way I'd sell that car and wouldn't have painted mine if I'd found yours. |
Pretty car, but not running you'll be lucky to get two grand for it. Get it running and you might get four or five, possibly more.
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Wow interesting post. I am such a fan of these old MB diesels that I think none should be scrapped unless they are hopelessly rusted out or had been run with veg oil. One problem everyone should be aware of with older cars: the dreaded TIME TERMITE! The worst think you can do with such cars is not to use it. They deteriorate being driven or not. I would guess that $2500 would be a lot to pay to a car not running. Have a mechanic drain the tank or do it yourself. There is a drain plug. Put in new diesel with a splash of biobor, do a diesel purge if it runs. Put in a cheap MBfuel filter and hope. Just jump it or use a battery from your DD if it has posts(not likely). I have the complete collection of MB diesels except for the 116 which I sold years ago: a 240D with MT, an 84 wagon an an 85 . All are 123 chassis which I prefer. All were cheap to buy and all ran to some extent. All run perfectly now and nothing has been rebuilt.They can only be driven6-8 months a year because of our heavy snow here in wyoming and I let the family members drive them all. If you don't get it running it is $500-1000 of course and I would steal it for that. Running well 5 to 10K. |
I agree with posters who say get a battery and get it running - regularly if you can. Then post it locally. I would bet some young - new to driving - kid will pick it up and use it as a chick magnet. Ask $3500 and go from there.............
It is a beautiful car - i drive a 1995 E300 NA diesel I call the 'Dirty White Diesel' but she's my daily ride - not a chick magnet :). |
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You may call me crazy but I actually told him that he should not buy my car:) I told him that he's gonna spend a fortune in a shop assuming he can find a honest mechanic that's willing to work on a 30 year old car let alone a mercedes. It all turned out well in the end. The young guy didn't end up with a frustrating money pit lawn ornament and I did get my money by selling it to a guy who knew what he was getting into. |
Perhaps with it running, you won't sell it. I'd give $2500 running but have 7 cars insured and am not buying. I'd like to know whether forum feed back has changed the OP's calculations.
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Best deal I got recently was a 1983 300D off craigslist for free (just remove it). All I needed was a right fender and hood to repair accident damage. It looked better than my car since new paint (abandoned at a shop), but the engine, doors, and seats were gone, so only good for stripping further. I now have most any part I'll need for my two 300D's, including complete rear end. I got $43 for the body shell as scrap steel, plus all the other accumulated scrap I tossed in there (old rotors, swing-set, ...), which paid for the U-haul trailer rent. But, yes it was a lot of work stripping it.
I second the hassle of trying to sell parts. I spend way too much time taking photos, describing, researching, plus shipping costs, to make it of value. I just do to help people and not throw stuff away that someone could use, but too many potential buyers don't appreciate it. Even people here desperately ask for something, so I dig thru parts, take a photo, only to get "changed my mind" if they reply at all, so now I usually respond to PM's with "sorry, don't have". On the plus side, the news reported that gasoline was "not available" one weekend recently (Las Vegas?), but diesel was fine. The OP might sell that point to his wife for keeping the 300SD. When these cars were sold in the 1970-80's, diesel cost half gasoline, plus there were lines for gas and not diesel. Personally, when my wifey fusses about my cars I ponder "give up the cars or wife?". She has never been without a drive-able vehicle a single day of our 35 year marriage, but too influenced by TV ads like most simple people. First it was wanting an Accord, then minivan, then SUV, now maybe a battery-car. I did go w/ the minivan (very practical), but that faded. |
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Your story reminds me of an idiot kid who came over to check out a 1985 Yamaha FJ1100 I was selling. Looked like the one below. He sat on it and said, “is it fast? I brought cash. I’ve never ridden before but I think I can learn.” I told him to step away from the motorcycle and have a nice life. Youth is wasted on the young. He stood around staring at it and I said “What? Get lost kid, I’m trying to save your life.” https://live.staticflickr.com/7153/6...75e179433e.jpg |
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About 5 years ago I gave a guy 500 dollars for a 1995 E 300, he had it up for sale for ever and was asking 3500 for it, as the Stones said. "You can't always get what you want, but if you try you just might just find you get what you need. I say find the time and put it back on the road and save money at the pump.
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I would really try to get a car that looks that good running again and get some use and fun out of it.
Remarks earlier about P-whooped American men are not appropriate. Others often see us more clearly than we see ourselves. Meaning no slam or insult to the OP, could be he has an eye on some sort of perfection. The fact of it not running for so long might lead the wife to think it's a permanent white elephant. That car needs to be seen by the world! |
Reviving my old thread.
Unfortunately, I absolutely need to lose 300SD now. Moving to new home and nowhere to park it to continue my forever plans to complete things. This will be an absolute dumpster fire sale. My pain, your gain. :( I'll get something posted in the sale section as soon as I can, so consider this posting an early advertisement. Make me any reasonable offer - heck, go ahead and even make me an unreasonable offer. This will have to be a 'bring a trailer' deal too, with a strong winch. |
you're in GA, that barclay guy that restores MBs and sells them is near atlanta I think. contact him and see if he would want to make an offer.
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