Damn, this car is WAYYYY over priced on E-Bay..... what do you think ? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kamil · #16 06-28-2004, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by eskimo
It's of course very sensible to be cautious, especially when buying a ~20 year old car that's famous for "aging gracefully". If one is paying a premium price for "actual miles," then it behooves one to verify the legitimacy of those miles. If something seems suspicious (the gauges, for example), then one should do what one can to clear it up. If it can't be cleared up satisfactorily, then one can either take on the additional risk or can walk away.

If I may be allowed to nitpick, though, I'll say that thinking something is unlikely isn't the same as being "positive" that it isn't true. Not busting your chops here, just having a different opinion about the strength of the word to use.

I agree, there's probably some deception going on with some of the cars. Every time one of these cars sells for a big pot of money, it encourages other sellers, both straight and crooked, to get their goods up for auction. The higher the stakes, the greater the incentive to cheat.

-- eskimo

the bottom line is: "You never know, it's a gamble"

FrankM · #17 06-28-2004, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DieselAddict
I totally agree that the broken gauges are a red flag. Low mileage mercedes can be very valuable, but you gotta be careful. A lot of times a high mileage car with extensive records is a better value than a low mileage car with no records. IMO, mileage is a relatively small part of the equation. What matters most to me is condition and past maintenance.

These odometers are known for not working or slipping. I do not trust the low mileage. Maybe some records may help..

I prefer to buy a well taken care of high miler.
Usually they sell cheap because of the miles, and they often do not have the problems that a low miler used on short trips or hardly used will have..

I have had some low mile cars for collecting purposes only and they always leaked and burned oil... Not good for everyday driver only for investment..

Eskimo · #18 06-28-2004, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kamil
Well, if you really think about it...... You have an ebay account, your dad has one, your brother, your sister, your best friend, your co-workers ETC ETC..

It is extrememly easy to do

Easy or not, I don't see that it's really necessary for these cars. It's a big world out there, and it only takes two (legitimate) bidders to bid an item up (or one, if he's trying to meet a reserve price).

When the seller has enough confidence, you may see items listed at $0.99 with no reserve go through the roof! (If the seller's confidence is misplaced, you may see the auction end mysteriously shortly before closing due to an "error in the listing"

)

-- eskimo

Eskimo · #19 06-28-2004, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kamil
the bottom line is: "You never know, it's a gamble"

You've got the right of it! One does what one can to get the most favorable odds, but it's still a gamble. I try not to gamble what I can't afford to lose!

gsxr · #20 06-28-2004, 02:59 PM

Seems a little high for any W123, even low miles in great shape. I would not want to bid or buy without seeing it in person first. Photos can hide a LOT. It looks awfully nice... but is it really?

A better question is, do you think it's wise to spend that much money on a W123? Electronics (climate control, etc) and rubber (suspenion) wear with time, not just with miles. This could end up being a very nice looking money pit. I'd much rather spend the same amount on a less-pristine 124 chassis (actually, you can get a really clean 1987 300D for the same $7500, and it's 10x the car!). The 123 is too dated, too old tech, but that's just my $0.02...

300D-wanted-GA · #21 06-28-2004, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DieselAddict
I don't think this is easy to do since you have to provide a credit card number or similar means of ID verification every time you open an Ebay account.

When i got my Ebay account, i didn't provide a credit card. I used an Email address to verify who i was. But the thing is, all the info for the Email account was bogus. Fake name, fake (street)address, fake everything.
So, for a long time Ebay didn't have any of my legitimate information.
It's all correct now, though, since i've purchased a few things.
(Teacher always told me i should "Straighten up & fly right.")

fj bertrand · #22 06-28-2004, 07:55 PM

what are those things on the dash? Are they for the cell phone or a garage door opener. looks like its wired into the dash cover

PC Dave · #23 06-28-2004, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fj bertrand
what are those things on the dash? Are they for the cell phone or a garage door opener. looks like its wired into the dash cover

The one in the middle of the dash looks like an antenna for XM or Sirius satellite radio. It's usually external to the car, or nestled at the base of the windshield if used internally; he looks like he's got it wired through a hole or vent in the top of the dash to his head unit (or a receiver mounted nearby). The head unit is a fairly recent Alpine with the XM logo on the faceplate; I'm surprised the guy didn't mention that the car comes with it.

laszlo · #24 06-28-2004, 10:36 PM

Dear members,

I admit the oil gauge looks strange on the photo, but I just checked the car in the garage and it is working fine. However, I may have just shut the engine off when I took the picture and it does take a bit longer for the oil gage needle to settle down. As for the condition of the car it is not a show car I drive it every day, but for a 1985 it is in really good shape and very clean inside and out.

As for the true mileage you can check carfax and if any of you have access to MB's Star database system you can pull the service history to see if it is correspond to the rest of the records.

Over the years I have owned many Diesels from 240/300Ds to the latest E320 CDI which is an exceptional car by the way, but the W123 OM 617 engine was always my favorite.

For the record I bought this car from and old guy in Florida who seem to take good care of it. In addition I have done my fair share of work on the car replacing mostly rubber components and general service and installing the latest Alpine satellite radio using a special harness so no wires were spliced so the original radio can be reinstall anytime without any issue.

I planned to keep her for a long time and still have second thoughts about selling her. However, in the interest of domestic peace I must part either with the 300D or my SL.

If you think what I am asking is to much don't buy it, or bid on it, There are plenty of cheap cars on EBay that you can pick for under $2K but over the years I learned that cheap run down car will cost you lot more in the long run than the one that is well taken care of, and I know this one is.

I also find it Ironic that some people even would go trough the trouble making up stories that I bid on my own car and trashing its condition and sending unsolicited emails to people who are bidding on my car.

Sorry for venting, but I need to get facts straight.

Eskimo · #25 06-28-2004, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by laszlo
I also find it Ironic that some people even would go trough the trouble making up stories that I bid on my own car and trashing its condition and sending unsolicited emails to people who are bidding on my car.

Sorry for venting, but I need to get facts straight.

Hello Laszlo,

I don't know who's hassling you, but I'd like to point out that there's also some fairly enthusiastic cheerleading for your car in this thread. If it's as nice as it looks (and it looks awfully nice to me), then more power to you!

I live in Florida. If I saw one for sale here that looked that good, and was within my price range, then I'd follow up on it with real vigor.

-- eskimo

sampson · #26 06-28-2004, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by laszlo
I find it Ironic that some people even would go trough the trouble making up stories ...

You find it Ironic ? ? ? so, WHERE'S THE IRONY ??

(that's just moronic

)

Hatterasguy · #27 06-29-2004, 08:53 AM

The car looks good, if you want a nice older Mercedes you are going to have to pay a little. Frankly I'd rather spend $8k on a nice 300D than on a late 90's Camry. laszlo sounds like an honest seller.

laszlo if people are sending emails to your bidders, and you think they are from people here tell the moderators.

Alan Hamm · #28 06-29-2004, 05:39 PM

Quote:

[i]

I also find it Ironic that some people even would go trough the trouble making up stories that I bid on my own car and trashing its condition and sending unsolicited emails to people who are bidding on my car.
[/B]

I have followed this thread and I do not think they were singling you out or even suggesting that you were doing this. My interpretation is that they were saying that this is done and is a risk if relying on pricing based on EBAY. I am quite sure that this happens from time to time on all sorts of products sold on EBAY.

#29 06-29-2004, 06:08 PM

the pic's do look good on my screen saver

an seeings I'm the only driver in my house hold I'm very happy with my lucky find.

kamil · #30 06-30-2004, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alan Hamm
I have followed this thread and I do not think they were singling you out or even suggesting that you were doing this. My interpretation is that they were saying that this is done and is a risk if relying on pricing based on EBAY. I am quite sure that this happens from time to time on all sorts of products sold on EBAY.

well said