6.3 on ebay

[j9fd3s]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2467154916&category=6330

its cheap and close by, i'm thinking about picking it up. wheres the ac? is this one a grey market car?

mike

[wbain5280]

It's a low price now but in a few days it can go up.

Someone replaced the steering wheel with one from a W116. The trim over the rear driverside door is not properly attached. There may be other problems, such as RUST. Torn seats are expensive to fix and MB Tex just doesn't cut it with a car like a 6.3.

There are no gray market 6.3's. The Gray Market happened in the early to mid 80's with various European performance cars such as Porsche and MB's that you couldn't get here like a 500SE or SEL if I recall.

Everything about this car is expensive so buy the most expensive one you can afford.

IMHO.

[gerryvz]

Originally posted by wbain5280

There are no gray market 6.3's. The Gray Market happened in the early to mid 80's with various European performance cars such as Porsche and MB's that you couldn't get here like a 500SE or SEL if I recall.

This is incorrect. I would consider a "gray market" car to be ANY non-US-spec car from ANY ERA that was imported into the US via legal means and converted to US specs.

Certainly this did apply to 6.3s -- just that most 6.3s of US or Euro spec are exempt from smog laws in most states. I can assure you that PLENTY of these cars were brought into the US by military people and others who had the opportunity (and money).

Non-US spec 6.3s generally had a higher compression ratio engine (particularly in the 1970-72 models), more horsepower, no smog controls (no fuel evap, vacuum advance, etc.), typically no A/C, velour upholstery, upgraded Euro-spec headlights, foglights, various mandated Euro equipment such as fire extinguishers and first-aid kits, etc. Some cars had lots of rare options such as early mobile radiotelephones, rear-seat headrests, rear curtains, shortwave adapters, undercar protection plates, and so forth.

If you are defining a "gray market" car as one from the period after the advent of smog controls on US cars (and before they were implemented on Euro-spec cars) or engines not available on US cars (such as the R107-based 280SL or W116-based 350SE/L), these are probably the more recognized "gray market" cars.

But, again I would consider any non-US-spec Mercedes that was imported into the US, to be a "gray-market" car.

Cheers,
Gerry

[ctaylor738]

Whatever your views on possible rust or condition, that is an awful lot of car for the money.

I wonder what the "knocking" is, though.

[tosbt]

6.3, 3.5 or 4.5 no matter, its a 109. These cars are a work of art and someday the really nice ones will be amoung the most collectable.

There's no such thing as a cheap 6.3.

[gerryvz]

In the long run, the only way to get a cheap 6.3, is to buy an expensive one up front.

$15-20K and up is a good starting point. If you're not prepared to pay this amount up front, be prepared to pay double to triple this amount over a period of years to make a "roach" 6.3 driveable and to keep it there.

Cheers,
Gerry

[kpb]

I thought a euro would also have the amber triangular signal lights. Where are the front turn signals on this? The supplementall lights appear to be true driving lights (albeit the right one seems rusty inside from moisture.) Also, take note of the crunched in grill and front bumper damage. The aftermarket stereo seems out of place, but, hey...

Certainly not one I would consider without close personal inspection first. The car seems to have had slovenly care, you gotta wonder about the claim that the suspension never sinks. oh yeh, and that knock in the engine -- YOUCH

[gerryvz]

Amen. With an engine knock and the other damage/wear/oddities that is evident, you don't wanna go there.

Two words for this car: PARTS CAR.

Total value: $1,500 maximum.

Cheers,
Gerry

[kpb]

Didn't your little icon-thingee formerly say "6.3 inside"?? Wutsup with the "rice"?? Did you plunk a tie-ota engine in your 109??

[gerryvz]

No, I think that is Tomasz's icon that says 6.3 inside.

I like to eat "the Rice" at the drag races with my Benzes, hence the "rice inside" icon. Just having fun with the rice.

Cheers,
Gerry

[kpb]

OK, thanx for the explanation. Guess I should know who I'm conversing with, huh?

[ctaylor738]

So Gerry -

Is it, in your opinion, possible to put a couple of parts cars together and come out with a good car for $5K or so, assuming that you can do the wrenching yourself?

Like this one, with a decent body. And a second with a good engine. All hypothetical, of course.

[gerryvz]

Anything's possible with desire, time, and persistence. The engines are generally bulletproof, which is why this description of a "knock" sends some major shivers down my spine.

Some people do fix these cars up or donate engines to other cars. Rust is always the biggest issue with these cars. That and the softer parts, such as interiors.

I once wrote an article about buying and fixing up 6.3s. I think it's still online at:

http://buying.articles.mbz.org/m100/

Cheers,
Gerry

[wbain5280]

Originally posted by gerryvz
This is incorrect. I would consider a "gray market" car to be ANY non-US-spec car from ANY ERA that was imported into the US via legal means and converted to US specs.


If you are defining a "gray market" car as one from the period after the advent of smog controls on US cars (and before they were implemented on Euro-spec cars) or engines not available on US cars (such as the R107-based 280SL or W116-based 350SE/L), these are probably the more recognized "gray market" cars.

But, again I would consider any non-US-spec Mercedes that was imported into the US, to be a "gray-market" car.

Cheers,
Gerry

OK, that's one way to look at it.