What do the sale prices for W107 SL's Suck?

[meltedpanda]

So I am an old car guy, and by that , as many like me know , we love our cars but like to trade and buy and sell as well. I have moved many MB's over the last few years but what continues to amaze me is why the W 107 SL market is so weak. Granted they have quirks, and a lot were made, but I don't understsnd the lack of a market for a well restored classic. I think my SL is a fine example of a early (72) 450, but I would venture to guess I would be lucky to get 10 grand out of it, despite the fact that it is basically error free. I saw several go at auction that were at 2 times lower than expected. Is it the economy? Bad reputation?
Just curious
.... and BTW mine is up for grabs at the first offer over 16K.
And no I am not holding my breath (lol)

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by meltedpanda

So I am an old car guy, and by that , as many like me know , we love our cars but like to trade and buy and sell as well. I have moved many MB's over the last few years but what continues to amaze me is why the W 107 SL market is so weak. Granted they have quirks, and a lot were made, but I don't understsnd the lack of a market for a well restored classic. I think my SL is a fine example of a early (72) 450, but I would venture to guess I would be lucky to get 10 grand out of it, despite the fact that it is basically error free. I saw several go at auction that were at 2 times lower than expected. Is it the economy? Bad reputation?
Just curious
.... and BTW mine is up for grabs at the first offer over 16K.
And no I am not holding my breath (lol)

Supply and demand. That, and the weak overall quality of 'em.

I would own one in two seconds if their quality was that of most of the Mercedes-Benz turbodiesels. I hate moneypits - but that's just my take on 'em.

[meltedpanda]

True < , I have had no issue selling the diesels I have restored (lol) . I understand the moneypit thing, but I am referring to SL's in a restored state,and road worthy. Former moneypits so to speak, now ready for an enthusiast?

[alabbasi]

It's a luxury car and these are not luxury times. You'll get your price, but you will have to hang in there for maybe months until the right buyer comes along.

There is a strong market for diesels because there is a perception that they last forever and get good gas mileage which makes them good work horses. I think that the diesel rep is like the Toyota rep. They are perceived to be reliable so many people beat the living snot out of them and perform very little maintenance on them, then expect to sell them for way more then they are worth.

I'm very weary of used diesels for that reason. Most of the time that I see one for sale, the first thing that comes to my mind is "you want how much?". The same applies for those $3000 90 something Honda accords that have peeling clear coats and intergalactic mileage. There is only so much abuse that a car can take.

Your SL is almost an exotic car, but unlike other exotics, it has held together much better then any other car that it competed with during it's day.

There are lots of them around for sale which muddies the water as you'll be advertising your car next to the $1500 non runner.

A good one requires very little to keep going well. The v8's are work horses and the suspension and brakes are basically the same as what you have in a W114 or W124 so there is no surprises there.

If you're trying to sell it for $10k, then you need to be patient as 99.9% of people looking to spend $10k on a convertible would rather buy a 5 year old Mustang or Miata then a 30 year old MB. They are perceived to be a safer bet when it comes to running costs.. This is probably true, but the person looking for a nice R107 will see the value in your car.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by meltedpanda

True < , I have had no issue selling the diesels I have restored (lol) . I understand the moneypit thing, but I am referring to SL's in a restored state,and road worthy. Former moneypits so to speak, now ready for an enthusiast?

Thanks, Ron!

They are pleasing to the eye, I just have saved a small fortune running a diesel-powered MB on-the-road for my business for so many decades - I just know the value of a dollar, and my best automotive dollar spent is on an MB diesel HANDS DOWN!

Good luck on it!

[meltedpanda]

Oh Al , I am not actively trying to sell my car, but then I was not goiing to sell my 300SD either, sometimes it just happens
No -my plan is to drive the ol gal ,as I do almost daily now, since my SD is gone, and enjoy the top down cruise. It is a solid car, and very fun to drive.
I just have been thinking about why others don't see these cars in the same light
Your post is right on, did not think of that perspective.

[Wodnek]

[QUOTE=Skid Row Joe;2549749]Supply and demand. That, and the weak overall quality of 'em.
QUOTE]

I agree with the supply and demand part of your statement.
I disagree with the weak overall quality of them statement.

My 82 380SL seems to share the same build quality as any of my others. Other then the single row timing chain issue on the 3.8.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by Wodnek

I agree with the supply and demand part of your statement.
I disagree with the weak overall quality of them statement.

My 82 380SL seems to share the same build quality as any of my others. Other then the single row timing chain issue on the 3.8.

Unfortunately, the massive cost per mile to keep any SL on-the-road, mile-per-mile massively overshadows the MB turbodiesels.

I could not have afforded to drive any SL over one-million miles versus putting that on an assortment of other diesels over the years.

You can disagree, however, the numbers (dollars and cents) will not hold up to support your "claim," of mile-quality-cost. Nor will it ever in that model.

I doubt you've put 433K or even 305K (my last MB diesel) miles on your 82 380SL, as I have MB diesels..... There's no comparison in terms of value.

[meltedpanda]

Originally Posted by alabbasi

as 99.9% of people looking to spend $10k on a convertible would rather buy a 5 year old Mustang or Miata then a 30 year old MB. They are perceived to be a safer bet when it comes to running costs.. This is probably true, but the person looking for a nice R107 will see the value in your car.

this is the very reason I stopped doing the benefit car shows, my SL ( which was selected for a "invite only" concours ) would not even place is a sportscar division loosing to Nissans and tricked out Toyotas. I even lost once to a Ford. I attributed it to the fact that most folks simply do not know the vintage MB brand , or its legacy.

And on the diesels, I am with Wodnek on the V8's, these are built tough , my iron block V8 is pretty bomb proof , yes it has parts that wear out and need replaced that the diesel does not have but , on par these are tough engines and capable of miles that a diesel can amass. That said they need Skid Road is correct in that diesels (speculating here ) in the long run are cheaper to maintain

[Graham]

Originally Posted by meltedpanda

So I am an old car guy, and by that , as many like me know , we love our cars but like to trade and buy and sell as well. I have moved many MB's over the last few years but what continues to amaze me is why the W 107 SL market is so weak. Granted they have quirks, and a lot were made, but I don't understsnd the lack of a market for a well restored classic. I think my SL is a fine example of a early (72) 450, but I would venture to guess I would be lucky to get 10 grand out of it, despite the fact that it is basically error free. I saw several go at auction that were at 2 times lower than expected. Is it the economy? Bad reputation?
Just curious
.... and BTW mine is up for grabs at the first offer over 16K.
And no I am not holding my breath (lol)

I will beat that - I will let my 72 (with vary rare 350SL badge) go for $15k

BTW, the SL has not had much use lately - I bought a 2006 smart fortwo cdi for my wife. But I have been going over it and testing it!

Strange the way these cars are priced in the marketplace.

Despite the poor market for SLs, I still think that out of the three MBs we own, my '72 SL with 155k mi would fetch the highest price, then perhaps the 300D (430k km, but 100k on engine and recent paint) and in last place, our pristine '98 E320 with 158k km.

None of them are worth much, but casual observers think they do. Those guys drive things like SUVs or Crossovers that cost them $40k! More than total for our three benzes !

[alabbasi]

I would say that cost per mile is more to do with MPG then quality.
You really can't expect a 450SL to have the same running cost as a 240D in the same way that we don't expect a 240D to provide you with open top motoring at 80mph.

If cost per mile was the only factor, then we'd all be in new Honda Civic's.

[bwostosh]

I have an acquaintance who put a diesel into his 450SL

Passions combined

[rs899]

If cost per mile was the only factor, then we'd all be in new Honda Civic's.

Al-

Funny you should make that comparison. My wife, who has been quite the trooper driving an '83 300D, finally decided she wanted something new and shiny ( and had working A/C

She's really not into cars at all. I kept telling her to keep an eye out and let me know from just driving around what appeals to her. But no dice. After much whining and complaining, we finally spent several days of doing the rounds of Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Kia, Chevy. Still no real reaction like "I love that car, buy it", from SWMBO. Being as how I would have no clue what to do when the thing goes inert in year 6, I was pushing for a Hyundai Sonata or Kia Optima, as they at least have 10 year warranties. We got very close to buying a Hyundai. When we started talking particulars about which car would have to sit outside or be sold, she got cold feet about swapping her tank for a tin can.

So , now we're looking at R107s, and I am liking the buyers side of the equation

[meltedpanda]

Originally Posted by rs899

So , now we're looking at R107s, and I am liking the buyers side of the equation

I know where one lurks ( lol) a well refurbished 72

and Graham , if a 350 badge on my rebadged 72 450Sl will get me the 15K I would like to have for mine , then I need to find one.

Actually my "born date" on my SL is 8/71 and is the 541 off the line, imported to the states sometime in 72 . Some of the original paperwork I have on the car instructs the owner to go to the dealer to get his/her 450 badge.

[rs899]

I know where one lurks ( lol) a well refurbished 72

Noted. I don't want to hijack this thread, but I think I am going to look for K-jets 1977 to 1980 -1977 would be optimal (lacking the Chrysler climate control) or Euro 280 or 500SLs. If it were my choice it would be a 280SL stick, but the wife has to have an auto ...

I passed up a '73 450SL stick a few years ago...if only...