Explain: Why is a 1984 300SD Turbo so much harder to sell than a 123 (300D 300TD) ??
 

Market analysis required. Jump in with your thoughts and agree or disagree.
The title says it folks.....From looking at ads the more luxurious 1984 300SD fetches only the same price and takes longer to sell than an equivalent yr and mileage 300D, TD even 240D. This defies logic.......
In addition it is easier to find a babied SD and yet the more tested 123 seems to enjoy market preference.
If anybody can answer this it is you smart experienced guys of this fine forum.

Less luxury/power features = less to break. Also many people prefer driving something smaller than a W116/W126

Good point but do not Americans love lots of luxury?? The Germans prefer spartan and had to luxurify (correct verb??) their entries for the US market. In the German market they sell their 123's without Power Steering. They like road feel. Their entertainment systems of the 80's and before were infra dig per the American standard. This is as I have seen it.

I have never owned an SD, but from what I've found out by talking to others that have and making comaprisons between both, it would seem as if the W123 has fewer problems and is less prone to constant little tinkerings to correct the issues that pop up continuously.:cool:

My guess is that most people looking for a used luxury car are not experienced DIYers and would prefer something much newer and less of a potential money-pit than a 25+ year-old W126. As for myself, I believe any older vehicle could be trouble-prone so I prefer to keep my old cars as simple as possible. And I think my 240D is just the right size.

Happy Motoring, Mark

This is all good for me... I LIKE W126 cars... Keep 'em cheap!

So everyone so far agrees with the initial finding!!!!

Come on. There have to be some naysayers out there..............

well, I have both. I have driven both. I love my 126, but the 123's are much nimbler, have a better road feel, are simpler to maintain, and they seem to hold their condition better. no power seats to fail. no electronic speedometer to need replacemtent gears or loose signal etc. it's kind of like comparing a camaro to an impala. they both come with the same motor, they both have similar qualities, but the camaro has a following the impala is just large.

My personal guess is that it has more to do with the market - the people shopping for the luxury car in the first place are going to be more nit-picky... If I'm going to go to the trouble of buying an S-class, if I'm that sort of individual in the first place, then I'm going to keep shopping until I find the babied one that has every button working, no worn out paint, etc.

Cause 123's

RULE:cool:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...36100TcNnLduxY

Ive had the opposite experiance here in canada
 

Here I find the W123 is slightly more rust prone than the W126, so while I do see both cheap W126s and W123s a $500 W123 is a $1000 W126. in equivent condition i can usually sell a W126 for more$.

well i would love to have a W126 as a daily driver but the wife wants the next car to be a brand new one... sadly i cant see shelling out the $$$$$ for a new S-Class :eek:

So are you going to get a new wife instead?????:;)

I think the W123 has more of a cult following.

Yes, think Jim Jones.:D