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Old 09-23-2025, 03:51 PM
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How to best determine the price of a rare classic for sale?

So I'm contemplating selling my 87 wagon. I've been searching the internet high and low to get an idea of potential market value. Unfortunately, there are not many 87 TDs out there to draw upon for data. Also the prices asked vary considerably from a few thousand to over 20k. My local market is very strong for classics, but limited in terms of MB wagons, so again past sales data etc is hard to come by.

Any ideas of how to proceed? Would a collector car appraisal be worth doing? Any other ideas?

I can post some pics if needed.
For now the best I can do is a description.

87 300TD. 310k miles. Super clean, interior is 8/10, new tax up front, refinished rear, seating, third row bench, cargo cover, net. Exterior has been repainted 5 yrs ago due to paint fade, silver/Palomino 9/10. No accidents, all documentation in my 20+ yrs ownership, and some docs from previous owner. 2 owner car. Everything works great. AC compressor and condensor and all lines/seals 5 yrs old R134, blows cold and no leaks. #17 head installed in 2020 because I was changing HG to fix front oil leak only to discover a small crack between cylinders on the original #14 head. Trans works great, no rebuild, original on Mobil synthetic ATF since the 100k mile Mark. All suspension, struts (Bilstein)rubber, subframe mounts etc replaced within the last 6 years. Rear axle bearings replaced. SLS leak free, new accumulators. So much has been done over the years and used as a daily driver. I use it now for long distance trips 2500-3000 miles each trip.

Most work has been documented in this forum, plenty of pics accumulated throughout to validate all claims and show before/after etc.

So how to determine a sales price? I figured I'd ask here, to the most rigorous, critical and hard bunch I know of.

Suggestions, estimates welcomed, via replies or PMs

TIA





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Last edited by 87tdwagen; 09-23-2025 at 07:11 PM.
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Old 09-23-2025, 09:39 PM
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I hate to say this, but there are not going to be enough comparable sales to get a good appraisal. There simply are not many of them, and there are unfortunately probably fewer interested buyers.
I would suggest you put a price on it that you think its worth and begin a conversation with anyone interested. If you come to an agreeable price, that is its value.
I have a very similar 1984 TD that we use for road trips. There are more comparable sales for the w123 wagon out there, but still I think I would struggle to find a buyer willing to pay what its worth to me.
So I keep driving it.
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Old 09-24-2025, 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by shadetreemechan View Post
I hate to say this, but there are not going to be enough comparable sales to get a good appraisal. There simply are not many of them, and there are unfortunately probably fewer interested buyers.
I would suggest you put a price on it that you think its worth and begin a conversation with anyone interested. If you come to an agreeable price, that is its value.
I have a very similar 1984 TD that we use for road trips. There are more comparable sales for the w123 wagon out there, but still I think I would struggle to find a buyer willing to pay what its worth to me.
So I keep driving it.

Thanks.
Yes, the lack of availability for comparison has been an issue. This also isn't a top desirability type of car, unlike several others much rarer yet sports cars, that I have previously sold. In any event, as you said, if I can't find a buyer at a reasonable price to me, I'll just keep it. Eventually the parts alone will be worth more than the car as a whole, although I shudder at having to go that route.
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Old 09-23-2025, 11:30 PM
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Have you looked at Bring A Trailer or Hagerty? I see three '87s sold this year on BaT ranging from $5500 to nearly $17,000. They weren't concours level cars, they looked like daily drivers. I've attached what Hagerty says about current valuation.
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How to best determine the price of a rare classic for sale?-screenshot_20250923_222649.jpg  
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Old 09-24-2025, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by H-townbenzoboy View Post
Have you looked at Bring A Trailer or Hagerty? I see three '87s sold this year on BaT ranging from $5500 to nearly $17,000. They weren't concours level cars, they looked like daily drivers. I've attached what Hagerty says about current valuation.


Thank you so much. I had not looked at those resources, so the screenshot you provided is very helpful to get an idea of a reasonable range. Maybe, since I have the original window sticker when new, I'll start there

Thanks again
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Old 09-24-2025, 08:18 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 87tdwagen View Post

How to best determine the price of a rare classic for sale?
I had the same issue when I sold a truck. What to ask?

Prices were from 3k to 29K and mine had a rare feature still in tact.

It's needed 3K to be a daily again and 6K to be near local show quality.
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Old 09-24-2025, 11:07 AM
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There is no such things as how much my car is worth, only how much a buyer is willing to pay. If one wants top dollar then go to an auction house and see where the chips fall. If you want to sell it privately then pick a number you are happy with and leave it at that. Good luck with your sale..

BTW, there is no unsaleable cars, only unsaleable prices.
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Old 09-24-2025, 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by ah-kay View Post
There is no such things as how much my car is worth, only how much a buyer is willing to pay. If one wants top dollar then go to an auction house and see where the chips fall. If you want to sell it privately then pick a number you are happy with and leave it at that. Good luck with your sale..

BTW, there is no unsaleable cars, only unsaleable prices.

Thanks ah-kay
The car show season will be heating up soon down here in Sebring FL, so I'll take her around and gauge interest and offers if any. Was much easier to sell my cabriolet, although I personally like the wagon better, sporty convertibles are better sellers than utilitarian tanks.
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