What's it worth? Well, there is another W116, also a 1979 300SD in medium red with saddle leather interior not too far from me in comparable condition only it has fewer miles (about 100K). It is owned by the original owner's widow. All original and flawless interior and original exterior with minimal issues. Oh yeah, and it has a sunroof too!

I went to see and drove it back in May and she said she wanted $15K for it. I offered $7,500 and told her I felt $15K was, with all due respect, wildly optimistic. I figured she'd counter and we'd settle at $10K which I could probably live with. She never blinked and we were at a standoff and she said she was going to hold out for her $15K. I waited a couple of months and called to see if she ever sold it and if she'd reconsider my offer...the answer to both questions was no. I guess if she wasn't so stubborn I'd come up some but there's no way I would pay $15K for it so I never saw a reason to. I'll just wait it out, if she finds someone to pay her price, great for her...but if not I would probably pay $10K for it. They are nice cars...personally I would prefer a color like medium red or midnight blue to those light colors which were so common in their day.

If I won the lottery or inherited some cash I'd pay her price, but I know it would be a long time before I'd ever be able to get $15K for it myself...just as she has tried for at least 5 months now without success.

Nice looking car which I am sure will bring good money.

I think it also depends on the area, a friend of mine recently sold a 84 300D (about 130K miles, but not nearly as nice as this SD) for $12K in less than a week. He listed it for $12.5K and accepted $12. Around here, $10K for this SD would be a steal, $15 would probably be fair.

I personally have another opinion of that car:
It is almost to good to be true. I am very wary about the build up of undercoating. It is suspect. That thick layer of plastic may actually hide deep panel rust.
Only a careful inspection under the carpet would reveal that rust (and that is what he does not show).

The underbelly of the vehicle looks also pretty oily for such a claimed cherry.

I would pay 15k for a 6.9 but not for a 116.120. This car should not fetch more than 10k. Sadly W116 are not yet classics in the sense they commend crazy premia (even 6.9's) in America.

Now, this car delivered and registered in Germany or Holland will fetch easily 15000 euros.

I paid last year 1000 buck for a similarly looking vehicle which only downfall was to have 100000milles more on the clock and Non-working clim. that ACC is not worth 14 grands!!!

I hope you aren't referring to the Mafia Mobile. :cool: If so I'll have to call your bluff on that one!;) I like it, but those cars are in different leagues.....

I was thinking the same thing.

Good luck finding a good 6.9 for $15K. ;)

Since when is $15K a premium, it's hard to find a decent ricer in that price range. I think the price of "average condition" 116s is still being held down by all the junkyard specials that are still alive. In a few years they will all die off and the prices will be more reasonable.

Yep if you want the ultimate classic diesel soon to skyrocket in value, then late 1980 116 300SD is tough to beat. With longer legs it surprisingly outhandles 123's. Easy to see how 116's became hollywood stuntman's favorite car for the era. Y'all seen em trashed on James Bond movies and whatnot. Best was Dogs of War, troops seized one and got bombed in car chase at Lebanon.

I think only several thousand 116/SD's been built, dunno how many made it into USA during 1979/80. The later 1980 models are better than '79s on account of superior steel after German steel-workers strike was settled. From 1974-79 all MB's used crummier Russian or Italian steel for sheet metal parts only, hence massive rust issues for this era.

Try and find one if ye can. I'm still pinchin myself to see if I wasnt dreamin when stealing one w/sunroof (notso common option for 300SD) on Craigs with a mere 262k miles and immac rust free body last month. http://reno.craigslist.org/car/411991801.html Dont bother callin the seller, car's now my daily driver. And I will gladly pour thousands into it, knowin not a nickle will be lost. Already done new tires, bilsteins next week.

I recall the entire production run of W116 turbodiesels was allocated to the USA.

Jim

DieselDog That was one heck of a score!

Bert - NH

low oil pressure at that temperature though.

be very wary of cars with undercoating. it's real common in europe. it takes quite some time for rust to 'bubble up' when undercoated. and then you are pretty much ****ed.
I'll never use it on a car I love. I would use POR15.

I don't trust that car. gut feeling.

I'm guessing 12k. don't know about the Carnegie hall sound, never been in there.

Nice car, bet it goes for around $10k.

I doubt it will be that collectable. The 6.9 is the collectable W116. It would just be a nice summer driver.