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#1
10-17-2006, 06:11 PM
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What's my '85 wagon worth?
I'm having a major left brain vs. right brain debate. I just bought my wife a new PRIUS (her first really new car ever) so she'll no longer need our '85 wagon. I love that car. We've had it since 1991 and our kids almost literally grew up in it, but it's just kind of silly to keep it, especially since we are city dwellers and it will have to sit out on the street. So my feeling is to try to sell it if I can get a decent price. So the big question is what do you guys think it's worth?
Here are the details: The good: 1985 300 TDT (wagon) 180,000 miles CA car with no rust (in CA all it's life) complete service records (even from 1st owner) bought in 1991 as MBZ Certified Used Maroon / Palomino 3rd seat, roof rack w/cross bars, rear screen/cover everything works....everything. (I'm pretty anal I guess) Been on 100% synthethic oils for last 80K miles +/- no leaks, uses almost no oil Overmaintained (by me mostly) Probably the most reliable car I'll ever own (even more than the 124) The not so good: Paint is great except on top where clearcoat is failing No major accidents but a few small dings/fender benders (all repaired) two small (about 1 inch) cracks in dash driver seat MB Tex worn but servicable I realize the market for these can be all over the place but I may have some local interest so I'll need to put a fair number on this assuming I don't chicken out and decide to keep it. Your input is valuable and appreciated. Thanks
__________________
LRG 1987 300D Turbo 175K 2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul 1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold 
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#3
10-17-2006, 06:34 PM
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It really hard to determine a specific value on these cars. Solid mechanicals with a recorded history and presentable cosmetics immediately make a w123 a desireable purchase. Wagons make it even more so simply because they are versatile, rarer, and consequently harder to find and more sought after.
Like you said, values are all over the place. If the car is mechanically sound and 100% functioning and the condition of the interior and exterior is fair-good I'd say $5000-$6000 is a good place to start. Some may think it is low, others may think thats high, but realistically you have to price high so if you bargain with a buyer you still end up with a good deal. There arent many of these cars out there anymore, an educated W123 buyer will know that and will be willing to pay more for a solid sound runner that has been maintained, and will probably be willing to live with or resolve cosmetic issues after the purchase. I'd also contact Mr. Diesel- he is local (Mountain View), and has vast knowlegde on how to market these cars for optimum profit, regardless of condition. He also buys solid cars with records, restores them cosmetically and sells so he may very well be interested in your car. http://home.comcast.net/~mr.diesel.info/MrdieselTreepadSite/documents/3333CDC978239CB71F0DE1B7370B10DD04FA9F61.html If you can, posting pictures of your w123 will enable myself and others here to assess the car more accurately, given your word on its mechanical state.
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Nate 1995 E420 1992 BMW 525i 1984 300D Turbo sold 1993 Volvo 244 sold 1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P! "The details are not details. They make the product." -Charles Eames www.cbs.nu
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#4
10-17-2006, 06:35 PM
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I think you could get $5K for it, expically if you try to sell it a bit farther north in OR or WA.
__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver 1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver 1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine
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#5
10-17-2006, 06:43 PM
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Not to be the devils advocate, BUT
If I were you id sell the 87 w124, and put that money into cosmetic restoration of the w123 wagon. Sounds like there is alot of sentimental attachment related to the car... preserving that is priceless. The W123 is already a classic, its only going to appreciate in value seeing as how you take care of it. Wouldnt it be great to be able to pass it down to your children?
I sure wish my parents had held onto some of the cars they had when I was younger! 
__________________
Nate 1995 E420 1992 BMW 525i 1984 300D Turbo sold 1993 Volvo 244 sold 1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P! "The details are not details. They make the product." -Charles Eames www.cbs.nu
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#6
10-17-2006, 06:53 PM
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Veloce, I don't disagree about the value of the 123 vs the 124. The 124 is a better (at least more refined) highway cruiser and with a granola car (don't tell my wife I said that) but I think I'll need the better cruiser for the long trips. Also, thanks for the link to Mr. Diesel, I've never stumbled on him before.
__________________
LRG 1987 300D Turbo 175K 2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul 1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold
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#8
10-17-2006, 07:51 PM
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There's a lot of interest in wagons in this area. Put it on craigslist.org for $9000 and see if anyone calls. Don't forget to mention biodiesel in the ad for the hits.
Do you want a 300SD? http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/220171157.html Sixto 93 300SD
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#9
10-17-2006, 07:56 PM
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You probably don't even have to mention biodiesel.
Hard to say what it would fetch, but I'd start with 8-9K and include OBO. I wouldn't pay 8K for it, but someone else might. I bid on a 300TD on ebay last year, up to about 6500, after test-driving the car. It went for over 9500, probably to someone who didn't test-drive it, but it drove just fine. It had fewer miles than yours, but don't let that stop you from trying.
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