I'm trying to sell my '72 280SE - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 02-22-2003, 08:51 PM

Have a '72 280SE that my German uncle sold to me for $2,500. I've put a bunch of money into it and I've been trying to sell it for around 4-5K. Does anyone have any advice? Am I asking too much (it only has 158K miles) and is in excellent condition.

The car is beautiful and I've very much fallen in love with it. I'm not in a big hurry to sell it (mostly because I like it) but I've always wanted a motorcycle...

Is anyone interested? Any hints would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

John
Seattle
jsc617@hotmail.com

Tomguy · #2 02-22-2003, 11:10 PM

If it's the I6, then yes, you are asking too much. If it's the 4.5, and it's in good condition, 4K sounds reasonable to me (from what I've seen on eBay).

#3 02-22-2003, 11:49 PM

Thanks Tomguy!

I'm not sure what the difference between the I6 and the 4.5 is.

I'm still just learning about these old Mercedes, can you educate me a little bit?

jsc

Tomguy · #4 02-22-2003, 11:57 PM

The 4.5 is the V8. It will say "4.5" on the back of your car and your engine number will be 117.984. If you have the 130.980 you have a 2.8 litre L6 (sorry, not I6)

#5 02-23-2003, 12:14 PM

Thanks again, it's the L6 that I have.

What would be a fair price? And do you have any suggestions of the best way to attract interested older Mercedes buyers?

jsc

suginami · #6 02-23-2003, 02:24 PM

I would advertise the car for sale on this forum and others like it:

http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/

You might also consider listing it on:

http://www.collectorcartraderonline.com/

I believe they also have a magazine to list in, too. You can often find them at convenience stores and gas stations.

You might also consider listing it in The Star Magazine, the official magazine of the Mercedes Benz Club of America. They have a large classified section at the back of each magazine. Here is a link:

http://www.mbca.org/trading_post/trade.cfm

Gobstopper · #7 02-23-2003, 10:17 PM

Here is my experience:
I watched these on Ebay for about a month and a half. I searched every internet classifieds I could find looking for a W108 280SE. After a while I decided only a 4.5 would be acceptable.

I came to the realization that now is the time to be a buyer.
All vintage MB's are selling for about $2K under NADA value.
The sellers that want more are just plain not getting any takers.
I presume this is because of the present state of the ecomony, war jitters, gasoline prices, etc. The same holds true with many collectables, antiques, etc.

I found a seller who needed to sell and took advantage of this BUYERS market. I got a rust free 3 to 4 quality 280 SE 4.5 for 2700.00

I am presently actively searching for a vintage 60's AIRSTREAM trailer and I am assured that this economic effect will allow me to "steal" one.

My advise to you is to wait to sell if you can. The economy will improve. Then the price of all collectables and antique investments will return to more realistic levels.

My humble opinion...

#8 02-24-2003, 03:23 PM

Thanks everyone for the advice.

I've posted it a few more places, realigned my expectations of how much I can get for it, and I'm prepared to wait for our economy to improve.

If anyone hears of anyone looking for a nice 280SE (did I mention it's two-tone!) send 'em my way.

jsc

Rick Miley · #9 02-25-2003, 03:42 PM

Have you tried the swap shop classifieds on this site? There is a post from jas2wa who is looking for a W108.

#10 02-25-2003, 06:15 PM

Thanks Rick!

I contacted ja2wa and we'll see where it goes.

jsc