Is this price reasonable?

[deafen]

The car is a W108 280SEL 4.5, titled as a '73. Odo reads 47K, but title is uncertified. No rust as far as I can tell, leather interior in great shape, sunroof, CD changer in the trunk, maintenance records (still checking to find out if they imply 147K mileage). Looks like it's in great shape from the photos, and the interior wood looks good too.

The only thing I don't like about it is the color (a darker tan), but I could get used to that (and maybe repaint in a couple years). The dealer is willing to have the local MB dealer inspect it for me.

I'll need to spend about $500 to buy it. That includes the inspection, plane ticket, and gas to drive it home.

Asking price is $6000. It's a dealer, so I might could negotiate down some, but not much. Does that sound reasonable?

Hal

[ctaylor738]

It's about double what you could get for it if you need to sell it.

[joshhol]

It is going to sit on his lot for quite a while at that price. Try and get him down to 4500 and buy it if you really really want it and the condition is t*ts.

[Tomguy]

When you say it includes the gas to get it home, I hope you're being cautious! Calculate for 10MPG (Believe me, if the timing chain is as bad as mine was, expect 10 if you're LUCKY) at 92-93 octane. See what that gives you when you recalculate it!

Just because it's at a dealer doesnt mean anything. Unless it's a dealer that sells exclusively Mercedes, and sells new and certified ones, then it could just be a resprayed, bondoed-up rustbucket

If they're asking 6K for it, there must be a reason... either they overvalued it on a trade-in and want their money back, or they put a lot of money into it to get it into the condition you see it in!

Granted, compared to other machines you can buy for 6K, a 108/117 is one hell of a deal, not only in reliability, performance and looks, but also in safety features (4-wheel disc brakes, probably surpasses 75% of modern cars in crash tests, and the emergency manuvering is amazing). But you can get super-good 4.5's for under $4k if you know where to look! These cars are WAY underappreciated. Those who own them know why!

[deafen]

It's only about 500 miles away, so figure 50 gallons @ $2.10/gal = $105. No biggie, even with crappy mileage.

I know that independent dealers shouldn't give any more peace of mind than a classified ad; that's why I intend to have any car I'm interested in checked out at a bona fide Mercedes dealer.

Tom, you said something that really caught my interest -- "if you know where to look". Where should I be looking? I posted that question less than a week ago, and didn't get any responses. I'm currently watching:

collectorcartrader.com
automart.com
ebay
the forums here
craigslist (in several locations, but not all, because their search doesn't go cross-location and I don't have two hours a day to devote to this

Where else should I be looking? Everyone here seems to think that this is an unreasonable price, but that's in line with the prices I see elsewhere, for cars that are even in worse shape. Since the common wisdom is that the price ought to be in the $3-5K range for a very nice, even pristine example, then people are getting data points that I'm not.

Where are those data points?

[Tomguy]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6329&item=4518926494&rd=1

That one looks really clean. $5500

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6329&item=4518859192&rd=1

Says it's a V8 but there's no engine shot or VIN number. Also only one pic. It's in Pittsburgh... I could drive this sucker home if I wanted It looks like a car that needs some minor work, but that's half the fun in buying one of these cars!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6315&item=4519849455&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

If you wanna take a risk on a 6.3, this auction may end in your price range. Ask an important question before purchasing: How long does the car stay up when you turn it off? The suspension should stay up for up to two weeks. Anything less then a full day means major work probably needs to be done.

Edit: I forgot to make my observation: This is the time of year when these cars would be cheaper (IMO) because people are looking for 4WDs and not showy, classic cars (that's spring/summertime). Yet the prices I've seen show one thing: The 108's, or at least the 4.5's, seem to be increasing in price quite rapidly! A year or two ago there wouldnt be a bid on that first one for over 4k I bet. Good thing for people who own 4.5's in great condition, bad for those looking for one.

[Joliecher]

and sitting lets the seals and gaskets rot.....

[deafen]

Yeah, I'm really not interested in a W109 at all. Thanks for the links. I've got a "favorites search" on ebay for 280se* already, so I've seen those before.

Any other places I should be checking out?

Hal

[joshhol]

What is your location? Look in the S.F. Chronicle and L.A. Times. For one thing, they are Cali cars and S.F. Bay Area is Mercedes country. I see 4.5's in the paper every once and a while for weeks and weeks on end. These days you should be able to happen on an original owner 4.5 as my friend pointed out, the rich men that bought them 30 years ago are probably in their 70's now and are parting with them either through choice or involuntarily.

[deafen]

Originally Posted by joshhol

What is your location? Look in the S.F. Chronicle and L.A. Times. For one thing, they are Cali cars and S.F. Bay Area is Mercedes country. I see 4.5's in the paper every once and a while for weeks and weeks on end. These days you should be able to happen on an original owner 4.5 as my friend pointed out, the rich men that bought them 30 years ago are probably in their 70's now and are parting with them either through choice or involuntarily.

I'm in North Carolina, but my net is cast pretty much nationwide. (I don't mind the cross-country drive; I did it just last year in a new-to-me VW Thing that I bought from a friend.)

Thanks for the tip on the SF Chronicle! After the first few papers I looked at just redirected to cars.com, I figured that was just the way papers did things these days. (That's where the LA Times goes to.)

Hal

[Aviator]

Hey Tomguy!
I just acquired a 72 280SEL 4.5! Silver with front grill guard and rear bumper guards. Do u know where I can get the rubber gaskets for these guards? The gas I use is just reg unleaded...any tips?
Thx!

[j9fd3s]

Originally Posted by Tomguy

[http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6315&item=4519849455&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

If you wanna take a risk on a 6.3, this auction may end in your price range. Ask an important question before purchasing: How long does the car stay up when you turn it off? The suspension should stay up for up to two weeks. Anything less then a full day means major work probably needs to be done.

.

who took those pictures? they are terrible, and the rear end is way too high.

[deafen]

Yeah, no kidding. What are they hiding behind that phone pole?

I've come across another one that seems like a better deal. 280SEL 4.5, 93K actual miles, sunroof, 2-year-old repaint (full stripdown, real paint job), MB Tex, interior in very nice shape, new water pump and neutral safety switch, all new hoses/belts/fluids at 90K, no rust, intact heater controls and working blower, working AC (needs a pound or two of freon), nice custom stereo. It appears to be a "European Delivery" car (picked up in Stuttgart, but with US specs).

He wants $5k for it. It's a lot farther away, but the logistics of seeing it before purchase are a lot easier, since I'll be about 2 hours away on business in a couple weeks.

We'll see how this one pans out after the MB dealer inspects it.

[wbain5280]

Originally Posted by j9fd3s

who took those pictures? they are terrible, and the rear end is way too high.

The rear leveling valve needs a minor adjustment. Pretty simple. After reading GerryVZ's info in another thread, I wouldn't touch a 6.3. (IMHO)

[yakerz]

As a 108 owner , I'm tired of all the negativity with these vehicles. You all claim to love these cars , but talk nothing but **** about them as far as what needs to be done to them. No wonder the value of the car is so low!!I proclaim a law, If you own a 108/109 model mercedes, be kind and share in a positive way. All cars have a down side . We dont have to focus on ours.
Maybe I'll get a response to this post , my others seem to go unnoticed .

George