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  #1  
Old 10-17-2006, 06:11 PM
lrg lrg is offline
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Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,163
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

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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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  #2  
Old 10-17-2006, 06:18 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: far n.w. wisconsin
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dam

sure wish you were closer to n.w. wisc. sounds like something i would really enjoy.
davdih
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  #3  
Old 10-17-2006, 06:34 PM
Veloce300DT's Avatar
TEAM MULHOLLAND
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Sacramento-Bay Area Corridor
Posts: 1,110
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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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."
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  #4  
Old 10-17-2006, 06:35 PM
bgkast's Avatar
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Location: Vancouver WA
Posts: 6,528
I think you could get $5K for it, expically if you try to sell it a bit farther north in OR or WA.
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  #5  
Old 10-17-2006, 06:43 PM
Veloce300DT's Avatar
TEAM MULHOLLAND
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Sacramento-Bay Area Corridor
Posts: 1,110
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!
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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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  #6  
Old 10-17-2006, 06:53 PM
lrg lrg is offline
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Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,163
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.
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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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  #7  
Old 10-17-2006, 06:55 PM
d.delano's Avatar
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Location: DC
Posts: 1,466
I agree, if it were me and something had to go it would be the '87
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  #8  
Old 10-17-2006, 07:51 PM
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smoke gets in your eyes
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Eastern TN
Posts: 20,843
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  
Old 10-17-2006, 07:56 PM
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Posts: 4,263
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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