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  #1  
Old 07-14-2015, 11:20 AM
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Friend's Grandparents' w114 280, looking pretty mint

Hi all,

I'm posting this because I was hoping for a little input. I'm trying to help a friend's family figure out the value of their w114 1972 280. In an ideal world I'd like them to keep it but it appears they are intent on selling. I want them to get a good price for their car but I know more about the market for w123s than I do about w114s. In fact, my w114 market knowledge is very limited.

Things I know:
  • Less than 100k
  • Second owners (friend's grandparents) have had the car for several decades
  • The regular maintenance is performed every year like clockwork by their mechanic
  • The blue interior is very tidy
  • There is no visible rust, the paint is in excellent condition
  • The car is garage kept year round, driven lightly except the winter
  • I have not driven it or heard the engine personally, but I haven't heard anything about any engine problems
  • It lives on Cape Cod; greatly improves the landscape when out and about

Please see links below to images.

My usual method would be to search the completed listings on eBay for similar cars and get a vague range depending on condition and mileage. But I'm not finding many w114 280s there. A lot of w108s show up instead. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong. Anyway, any input or insight into this lovely car's value would be much appreciated! I realize this may be too little information, but any idea of a range of its possible worth from this info would be very helpful.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c302/benzasaurus/photo_zpsjcwuyk5p.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c302/benzasaurus/photo-3_zpspsh85txz.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c302/benzasaurus/photo-2_zpso9geouel.jpg

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  #2  
Old 07-14-2015, 11:44 AM
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Nice car, looks good but...

The plain-jane 280's simply don't have collectible status. The twin Zenith carbs don't help much with their value.

I'd guess, considering the excellent condition the car appears to be, in the $4 to $6K range to a person looking to possess that model. Open market value probably $2 to $4K.
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Old 07-14-2015, 11:52 AM
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Awesome, thanks for the quick reply!

That's good to know. Out of curiosity, what are the most desirable w114s and w115s? Is it the diesels?
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1983 300TD 240k Thistle Green Auto (Euro) [sold]
1984 300D 240k Petrol Green Auto
——————————————————
"You know, times are changing. Ladies can do stuff now and you're going to have to learn how to deal with it."
"What? Were you saying something? Look, I don't speak Spanish."
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  #4  
Old 07-14-2015, 11:56 AM
is thinning the herd
 
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There aren't desirable 114/115s really. Maybe an early coupe. None of them bring crazy money, but your definition of desirable or valuable is relative.

It an early car with skinny bumpers, and its a nice color. Its like a $5,000 car as stated.

Its a 5 position odometer, can you document its under 100,000 or are you assuming.

I like my W115 220, it is a lot of fun to drive, I drive mine to work in the summer. I have an early car with skinny bumpers as well. $3,000 is all it would take to get mine away from me.

They are neat cars, but they aren't as drive able as W123s. I think the big early plastic steering wheel, chrome becker radio, and big round gauges elicits some of the feelings my 280SL gives me, and I love it. However the later 114/115s with the big bumpers, foam wheel, and ribbed taillights do nothing for me.

That was an around an about reply, but the next effect is, its a really cool car, but you haven't stumbled across anyone's retirement policy.
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  #5  
Old 07-14-2015, 11:57 AM
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The diesels have their supporters but the fuel injected coupes seem to be the main attractions.

'Course that might be because I'm prejudiced. I own three of them.
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  #6  
Old 07-14-2015, 04:38 PM
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Ha! Well that's definitely a conflict of interest. I'm all for the sedans myself. Am looking forward to getting a diesel w115 one day, when I have some more space.

This information has been really helpful and I'll be sure to pass it on. It's a little bit shocking to me that such a nice car would fetch such a low price. I did flag that they'll need to prove the less than 100k mileage, but otherwise I would have expected such a lovely car to fetch more. Oh well, perhaps Cape Cod prices will bump its value a little.

Thank you all for chiming in about it! Your expertise is much valued and I am very grateful.
__________________
1983 300TD 240k Thistle Green Auto (Euro) [sold]
1984 300D 240k Petrol Green Auto
——————————————————
"You know, times are changing. Ladies can do stuff now and you're going to have to learn how to deal with it."
"What? Were you saying something? Look, I don't speak Spanish."
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  #7  
Old 07-14-2015, 06:15 PM
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Without seeing the seat conditions and the dashboard, providing a value is hard. I think the numbers provided in this thread are fair for what the car would get in CA.

Regarding rust, the most probably place for rust in my opinion is under the trunk mat and at the drivers/passenger's foot well. Have them lift up the rubber mat and verify there is no rust in the trunk. And have them lift up the most forward part of the footwell carpeting to ensure no rust there. If there truly is no rust, I bet you could find someone to buy it for $5K.

I wish they were worth more, but honestly hardly anybody wants these cars. The gasser fuel economy is not good, and acceleration isn't that impressive given their poor fuel economy. Of course, the accel of my 220D is awful, but at least the fuel economy is good (and diesel is $3/gal vs. $5/gal for gas right now).

If you want to know what truly high end w114s/w115s can get, check out mercedesmotoring.com. I think he gets $20-$30K for his cars. If you friend's car is similar to those at Mercedes Motoring, perhaps our estimates are too low.
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Old 07-14-2015, 06:33 PM
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My boyfriend is out there joyriding in my sedan right now by the beach (that jammy bastard). He told me he got a look at the w114 today and there is zero rust. It is impeccable on the exterior. Paint looks phenomenal he said. And he's good at looking for rust and bad paint at this point. We searched for the last year or two for a nice w123 wagon for him. Which is how I ended up pouncing my euro and he has nuzzink (but going to buy a '98 e300 next week).

Anyway, he said the interior is flawless too except two things 1) cracks in dash, and 2) broken driver side door card pocket. I will tell him about the rust checks in the front footwells and the trunk though, just in case. But it's been garage kept all these years. I don't see that there would be much opportunity for water to get in.

I think those minor interior fixes would be fixable for a reasonable amount, particularly for how it would improve the car's market value. A gentle but thorough detailing on the interior with the right products along with a wash and claying on the exterior would probably make it look a mercedes motoring car after that (speaking of other jammy bastards!).
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1983 300TD 240k Thistle Green Auto (Euro) [sold]
1984 300D 240k Petrol Green Auto
——————————————————
"You know, times are changing. Ladies can do stuff now and you're going to have to learn how to deal with it."
"What? Were you saying something? Look, I don't speak Spanish."
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  #9  
Old 07-14-2015, 06:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Benzasaurus View Post
Am looking forward to getting a diesel w115 one day, when I have some more space..
And so it begins...

Yet another victim of "We need another Benz like we need herpes but it just looked so lonely-itis". Sigh.
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  #10  
Old 07-15-2015, 12:52 PM
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One drawback to the 114/115 cars I always like to point out is the habit they have of breaking the three bolts that hold the steering box to the frame.

There is a kit to deal with this and everyone of these cars should have one. I drive pretty hard so maybe I just shear them off but I have replaced them with bolts having a 300,000 psi shear and I still crack them.

Other than that I love these cars. And if the car does not have cruise control an after market one can be added.
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Old 07-15-2015, 03:03 PM
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I too am biased towards W114 and W115s and don't "get" the lack if interest.

Is that one auto or stick?

If that car's interior is truly nice despite the cracked dash $5K might be a little low. One of my diesels got smacked by a red light runner and totaled out (still roadworthy and driving great, though). When looking for comparables I found folks asking 8 - 9K for super nice stick shift diesels. Not sure how well they compare to that gasser.
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Old 07-15-2015, 07:55 PM
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I might have to have it , I have a love for them -sorry I sold my 72, where are you located?
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Old 07-16-2015, 09:30 AM
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PM sent, but keep in mind it's not my car, so I can only offer to connect you with the owners.

It's good to know about the steering box bolts! Yeeesh.

I think I'm going to ask and see if there is any chance for more photos. Keep in mind I haven't seen it myself in person, so I'm also curious to see more of it. It sounds very well preserved though.
__________________
1983 300TD 240k Thistle Green Auto (Euro) [sold]
1984 300D 240k Petrol Green Auto
——————————————————
"You know, times are changing. Ladies can do stuff now and you're going to have to learn how to deal with it."
"What? Were you saying something? Look, I don't speak Spanish."
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  #14  
Old 07-16-2015, 07:27 PM
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I too am partial to 115's/114's and I for one, like the later version with the big bumpers just fine. I like the older version as well, there are just so few of these out there now, I'm happy to see ANY 115 cruising around.
My theory is that since no one gives a @#$ about them, there will be so few nice ones left that they will pick up in value at least a little bit.
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  #15  
Old 07-16-2015, 11:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joshhol View Post
My theory is that since no one gives a @#$ about them, there will be so few nice ones left that they will pick up in value at least a little bit.
Ha! That's a nice one. We joked in the VW Bus world about how every one that got cut up made ours that much more valuable. That was a scant 10 years ago and look at the Bus scene now. Crazy.

I believe W114/W115 cars will (maybe?) pick up in value when people see them for what they are - a unique chassis that represents several firsts for Benz combined with a lot of the old school. We'll see . . .

And if you have never driven a decent W115, well, you just don't know!

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