I have decided to sell my 1982 280E. Being a Euro model it is a lot of fun to drive, and it has some interesting features such as adjustable headlights and an urban/rural horn switch (took me almost a year to figure that one out). It isn’t beautiful, the interior needs work, but it runs and if someone had the time and the know-how and/or lots of money, it would be a great car to restore. But the wife hates it and it has to go. I am thinking of selling it on E-Bay and would be interested in hearing from other members what they think of this method of selling a car. I have sold parts and books before on E-Bay, but nothing as substantial as this. The reason for choosing E-bay is to reach a national market (I live in Minneapolis) and because I really have no idea of what the car is worth.

Please let me know your thoughts. Any advice, as always, would be greatly appreciated. I have enjoyed participating on this board, and plan to get another Mercedes soon. Thanks.

Try selling here first. There is a forum for "Swap Shop Classifieds - Cars" and there have been a few transactions. A good idea is to post a picture of the car too.

Of course historically if/when anyone misrepresents anything we give them a pretty hard time......

EBay is getting more and more expensive, and when you throw in PayPal as a transaction facilitator, there's just that much more of a percentage lost.

Ken300D

You might test the water on e-bay by listing it and setting a (relatively) high reserve.

If someone bids higher than what you thought was a high value, "Eureka" you've hit gold.

If no one bids higher than your reserve, you don't have to sell it.

If some one doesn't reach the reserve, but you think the highest bid is fair, then sell it.

You're right. In Minneapolis, you're limiting yourself to a limited marketing area.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

IMHO, it's tough selling a vintage Benz on eBay, because most people looking for these cars want to be able to see the car in person before buying. I've sold a 240D on eBay and recently sold my Jaguar on there. It is an effective way of reaching lots of people. But whether or not it will sell is a 50/50 chance.

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Regards,
Aaron