Discussion: Is this W108 worth the price?

[JeffreyNMemphis]

Hello Peaches,

I am thinking about selling my W108 1973 280SEL 4.5 liter. I would rather sell my left testicle, but probably won't get enough to pay my outstanding debts. I watched a W108 sell for $14,800.00 on Ebay that would be judged second to my car based on condition mechanical, interior, exterior, original options, documentation, and literature (showroom brochure, workshop manuals, etc.) collected.

The car is being offered by a dealer who has more photographs than words to describe the car. The listing is well done. Here it is on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300362577298&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

My question is: Do you think this car sold for fair market value? Would you pay more or less from a private owner/enthusiast who actually knows W108 cars? Is this sale evidence of cars returning to pre-crisis values?

Jeffrey
Houston, Texas

[stimpy451]

Sorry: off-topic, but I am SO buying a wheelskins leather wheel cover for Umlaut. I just ordered one for my wife's LR3 and wondered what one would look like on a 220D. Oooooh.

[JMela]

Auction looks fishy, too many bids from bidders w little or no feedback.

[JeffreyNMemphis]

I noticed a "Newbie" bidding up the value. However, the winning bidder still paid $14,800 for the car. What do you think about that?

I have a friend who is a mechanic that just signed up on eBay because he wanted to buy something; everyone on earth has not joined eBay yet and earned enough feedback to verify real or fake.

[tonkovich]

what is no, alex?

(maybe just because of the cheesy sales pitch, and the bad grammar? )

it looks good, but a 37 year old car with 50k miles? and the color is no great shakes either. it's not destined for some car museum.

did it actually sell?

[JeffreyNMemphis]

The car actually sold for $14,800.00.

The car is above average. I agree that it is not museum quality. I have seen price guides that suggest this was a fair market value for a good car, not excellent.

[cadurning]

Awhile back I was looking at values for W108's In general an excellent 280se will bring $6000.00 tops. A SEL a little more. Coupes can bring in the mid 5 figures and rag tops 6 figures. I feel that the sedan is just too common to bring that kind of money. That being said I would gladly sell my W108 280SE for that kind of cash.

[Mr.Kenny]

Watching the values of these cars for a while (because I own one); it seems like the w108s that bring good money on Ebay,are those which #1. look really nice & need nothing, and are #2. in a big city with a lot of potential customers who probably #3. saw the car in person and just have to own it. (It only takes two people to bid up anything.)If these cars are in a small town in western Kansas; forget it.

Locally I think these cars sell for top dollar to people who just love the old school look of quality, wood and chrome and don't watch the market prices for these cars..... These w108 109s just plainly look valuable.

Other than 17 repetitious photos of just the front of the car; it looks really nice. I have a 1972 280sel 4.5 with only 29,000 miles on it, mine is much cleaner underneath the car; but looks the same inside. I really like the Bundt wheels on the 108,... I should buy some.

[JeffreyNMemphis]

This is my second W108. My first was a 1972 280 SE 4.5 that needed a new interior, tires, brakes, shocks, A/C work, etc. After pouring all that money in the car it starting pouring out clouds of black smoke and I was told it might need rings or valves. My dream car became a nightmare. Eventually I had $8,500 in the car, and sold it in distress for the original $3,500 I paid for it. Putting $10,000 more in that car would not have made it as nice as the car I own now.

[pj67coll]

Assuming the interior of the engine is as good as the interior of the car, and the exterior for that matter, I'd say it's worth it.

- Peter.

[Tomguy]

I've seen 6.3's sell for that price in that condition. I'd say the buyer overpayed, yes. Especially considering the market - in a recession / on the way out of a recession, collector car values are typically at their lowest numbers. I would not expect to get anywhere near that for my 4.5 if I did a full restoration on it down to the last nut and bolt being polished.

[Tony H]

It is difficult to use Ebay as a gauge of value because no 2 cars are ever the same, the cars are usually misrepresented, many sales don't complete after the auction closes.

[JeffreyNMemphis]

Tony,

I agree that eBay is not an accurate gauge. I would go further and say there is no accurate gauge (period). Even if two cars were alike, the sellers are different, the technical skill and presentation skill will be different from seller-to-seller, and the group of potential buyers are likely to be different, and overall economic climate etc. Ebay is the largest market that I know of with access to sellers and buyers in sufficient number to achieve the economic definition of "market".

The various value publications like NADA and Kelly cannot possibly capture all the variables that affect value. I heard an old used-car buyer telling the salesman, if Mr. Kelly thinks its worth that much, sell it to him!

[Larry Delor]

Anybody notice that the muffler was not only spraypainted black, but also installed upside down?
And what about the two different shades of wood on the dash?

The outside does look nice though!

[berfinroy]

I saw a 1972 300SEL 4.5 with 30,000 miles or so (silver/red) go for $24,500 about a year ago on ebay. It was the best one I have ever seen. I would have paid that....if I didn't already own one.