Too Good To Be True

[ayrtonsenna]

have a gander at this... i'm usually a diesel guy, but this blew me away.
http://http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988-MERCEDES-560SEL-ONE-OWNER-18-866-PRISTINE-MILES_W0QQitemZ190012059564QQihZ009QQcategoryZ6315QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Hit Man X]

I saw a 70K mi 1990 420SEL a few days ago that was white on grey, look fantastic just like that one.

[nhdoc]

The car is nice, the buy it now is insane. If his reserve is anywhere near that he'll have that car a good long time before someone pays it...it's still 19 years old and I don't care how nice it looks it will have hidden mechanical problems. If the records are correct the car hasn't been driven in 5 years (the last service was in '01 at 18,622 miles). That can be worse than buying a car with 100K+ miles on it. The SEL is not a "rare" car or even all that desireable...if it was an SL, then, yes, I could see someone paying $30K-$40 for it...but for an SEL...I'd think if he could get half what he's asking he'd be doing OK.

I mean, what's someone going to do with this...put it in their living room or a museum? No, they are probably going to drive it and if you pay $33,000 for it and put 40-50,000 miles on it then it will be worth $3000 like every other 80's SEL...at least if you bought a new car for $33,000 it would still be worth nearly half that after you put 40-50,000 miles on it. With this one, the only way it holds any value is to be put in a garage and never driven...like I said...it's insane.

My $0.02.

[POS]

I agree - he's nuts. You might be able to get someone to pay up to $15k for it, but it won't be easy. $32k? No way.

Beautiful car.

[4uky]

Originally Posted by POS

I agree - he's nuts. You might be able to get someone to pay up to $15k for it, but it won't be easy. $32k? No way.

This will be interesting to watch. I've seen people pay insane prices for things that looked unique or special on ebay. All the bidders may keep their heads on, but it only takes two with auction fever to drive the price beyond all reason.

[hookedon210s]

With the "Glauser" Sarasota dealer sticker on the back the car was probably only driven in Naples from Labor Day until Easter each year. After that the car was parked and snow birds returned home. The car looks nice but nowhere near worth what he wants. One other thing I don't like is the clear coat spray of the engine compartment (the seller seems to like this---his 2002 wagon has it too). It may look good to some but it sure looks awful when it yellows/peels. Mark

[Snibble]

Thats a realistic $18-22K car... not 32k. Its a beauty though!

[Jim B.]

Agree with NH DOC, the car is great cosmetically, but may have a lot of problems due to under use.

It's a time capsule car but it needs to be driven, and unless it goes into a museum, what's the point in buying it? And aside from the miles, nothing especially makes it worth going into a museum.

With every mile driven it will be worth less.

All the seller can hope for is two bidders with auction fever.

But the BIN is WAY too high

[deanyel]

Originally Posted by 4uky

This will be interesting to watch. I've seen people pay insane prices for things that looked unique or special on ebay. All the bidders may keep their heads on, but it only takes two with auction fever to drive the price beyond all reason.

Keep in mind when you see high bidding on Ebay Motors it's usually the seller's shill bidding.

[Pete Geither]

We saw another SEL recently that was white also on E-bay. Supposed to be pristine, but ended up being taken off early due to "issues". This looks like the real deal, but sellers expectations are a bit optomistic.

[4uky]

It's a day and a half into the auction, and the high bid is $6100.

I don't know how high its going, but it will sell for more than is wise.

[TX76513]

Yup, his BIN is a little stretch, but maybe I would try the same - you never know. Would be funny to roll into the dealership and say - forgot I had this did I miss any recalls or maintenance

[Hatterasguy]

Its a high teens to low twenties car. Looks like an original no BS car, as the guy said they are only original once.

After having delt with a few W126's and the currant battle restoring the SDL. My next keeper W126 will be like that. Its so much easyer and just better to spend the money up front for a car like that. That car is not ment to be a driver, its ment to be a nice weekend toy. Taking it out in the rain would be a crime!

[TX76513]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Its a high teens to low twenties car. Looks like an original no BS car, as the guy said they are only original once.

After having delt with a few W126's and the currant battle restoring the SDL. My next keeper W126 will be like that. Its so much easyer and just better to spend the money up front for a car like that. That car is not ment to be a driver, its ment to be a nice weekend toy. Taking it out in the rain would be a crime!

Think of all the experience you gained with your 126

[Hatterasguy]

Don't get me wrong I enjoyed it! But the next one will be mint from the get go, no more cherrying out back lot cars.

Not only are the results acheived faster, but its cheaper too!