Selling my 1995 S350 - Oldsouth - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

oldsouth · #1 05-13-2009, 07:14 PM

Hello all, I have listed my 1995 S350 on eBay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200342035331

Fine automobile if someone is interested. Perfect condition except for some oil consumption.

TX76513 · #2 05-14-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsouth

Hello all, I have listed my 1995 S350 on eBay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200342035331

Fine automobile if someone is interested. Perfect condition except for some oil consumption.

How much consumption?

oldsouth · #3 05-14-2009, 11:21 AM

It has actually gotten pretty bad. 1 qt/200 miles. Car runs fine, no leaks at all, just using oil. It was using about 1 qt/1200 miles for a long time then in a period of about 6 months went from 1/1200 to 1/200. There is a good bit of blowby with oil in the intake passages. Needs a lower engine job. I feel the head is good, crank is good. If I were to keep the car, I would have a local good shop I know overhaul the bottom end of the engine. Another option would be to buy a Noel's re-built http://www.noels.com/ They run $7500 though but do include a new head and rebuilt injection pump. That would be a more expensive way to go though.

92300SE · #4 05-14-2009, 12:03 PM

Better take that reserve off ebay,if the oil consumption becomes evident with blowby and all that oil leaking and seeping everywhere, in a little while,you got yourself a 1500$ parts car...you should have traded it in for the new one,in LA its not that evident,however,if the car gets to MN ,the first start up at 45 F in a summer morning will sound and look like a Detroit diesel.

oldsouth · #5 05-14-2009, 12:17 PM

There is very little smoke in the exhaust, in summer or winter. There is not oil leaking or seeping anywhere. Not a drop. And a 140 parts car in this condition is worth a lot more than $1500. More like $5000.

TylerH860 · #6 05-14-2009, 12:25 PM

Your car is impressive, but...

http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/PricingReport.aspx?YearId=1995&Mileage=370000&VehicleClass=UsedCar&ManufacturerId=31&ModelId=215&PriceType=Private+Party&VehicleId=8049&SelectionHistory=8049|30592|67206|0|0|&Condition=Fair&QuizConditions=

Someone is looking at a huge expense, in your own words up to $7500, which would exceed the value of the car. Your honesty with the oil consumption is admirable, by the way.

A general ebay tip is to start the opening bid low to generate more interest and have a reasonable reserve. I'll be surprised if you get 1 bid with that opener. It would be better to just start the auction at $1000 or so and see what market value is for your car, still keeping the reserve.

TylerH860 · #7 05-14-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsouth

And a 140 parts car in this condition is worth a lot more than $1500. More like $5000.

There may be $5000 worth of parts on that car, but no way is any salvage yard going to pay that much. The point of parting a car is to make money on it. My friend Bob has a less than 70k S500 sitting in is yard getting parted out, which had a pretty good hit on the side. Immaculate otherwise, and he never pays more than $1000 for a parts car.

I agree that its worth more than $1500 dollars, I'm just suggesting you start with a lower price opener to generate more interest. Only trying to help.

oldsouth · #8 05-14-2009, 12:43 PM

Thanks. I could have listed the car without disclosing the oil consumption, but I would not want to purchase one not knowing that. There is no way anyone would know until you drove it for a while. No outward signs whatsoever. I am just trying to be perfectly honest. I would rather a car enthusiast like someone from this forum buy the car than just a person off the steet.

As far as value, I think the KBB prices are absurd. This is the same car that I paid over $60000 in 1995 dollars for. It has been maintained meticulously. At the most a $7500 engine making the car quite close to new isn't much. Anyone wanting a 140 series auto in excellent condition with a new engine should expect to pay $15-20K. KBB retail value for this car is $9690. That is the average value a dealer selling this car with 370,000 miles would get. This car is not average and any 140 car with 370000 miles that has not been maintained properly would be a very expensive nightmare.

92300SE · #9 05-14-2009, 12:52 PM

Its the economy...my local Lexus dealer has a 30k original miles,1 owner,1999 S500,Grand Edition...they took in trade,I called for a price and since then I cannot shake the salesman of my back,they want the thing gone from the Lexus grounds,last offer was 9500$,just come and get it,all records,sticker and all,then it goes to auction...so,what is the NADA on that ? 25000$,maybe more

TylerH860 · #10 05-14-2009, 01:03 PM

I agree that it is possible to get around 5k for it, but I think you would have a better chance with a much lower opening bid with a reserve to generate more interest. Also, many people scroll through just to see the Buy it Now prices. Setting a Reasonable buy it now (less than $6500) will also get more people to click on the ad.

For any naysayers out there, look at the completed listings and autotrader ads for these cars. They can still bring some serious coin.

For example.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NO-RESERV-94-S350-T-DIESEL-1-OWN-90K-MILE-RARE-X-NICE_W0QQitemZ300311849211QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item45ebfb28fb&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A13|39%3A1|240%3A1318

oldsouth · #11 05-14-2009, 01:03 PM

I hear you. Really bad time for cars. Well, I don't have to sell it. I would rather just sit it in my shop than give it away.

TX76513 · #12 05-14-2009, 01:04 PM

Your car is beautiful and your honesty is applauded. Somewhere there is that MB enthusiast that want to re power that W140 and drive it for couple more decades and isn't afraid of what the end cost is. You just have to find him.
Wish I could see the hands of all the forum members here that have more into their MB's than the actual value - Raising my hand

Deezl · #13 05-14-2009, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsouth

I feel the head is good, crank is good. If I were to keep the car, I would have a local good shop I know overhaul the bottom end of the engine. .

Who is your local shop? I could use a local indy.

EdzBenz · #14 05-14-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92300SE

Its the economy...my local Lexus dealer has a 30k original miles,1 owner,1999 S500,Grand Edition...they took in trade,I called for a price and since then I cannot shake the salesman of my back,they want the thing gone from the Lexus grounds,last offer was 9500$,just come and get it,all records,sticker and all,then it goes to auction...so,what is the NADA on that ? 25000$,maybe more

Which dealer in Illinois has this car?

Southern · #15 05-14-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsouth

I hear you. Really bad time for cars. Well, I don't have to sell it. I would rather just sit it in my shop than give it away.

With that being said I would have also started an e-bay bid at $5000 with the reserve not being met to only encourage serious bidders. I never sold on e-bay before but I hear stories about dead beat bidders quite often.

I enjoyed your video Old South, I hope you don't get a speeding ticket in the mail. I hope you find the right buyer that can appreciate the condition you keep your cars in. If it were me I would keep the car to see how many more miles I can put on it.