Price for My SDL?
 

Unfortunately, I will need to put my SDL up for sale over the next few months. Based on the description below, can any of you guys suggest an appropriate asking price? I need to sell, but I'm not desperate to sell.

Also, any suggestions as to how to improve the marketing of the car would be most appreciated. I will certainly include pics when I actually put it up for sale.

Thanks.

FOR SALE
1986 Mercedes-Benz 300SDL
VIN xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
170,000 miles
A Wonderful Opportunity for the Mercedes Diesel Enthusiast!
A Classic S-Class Sedan with Character and Soul!

Location: Near Providence, RI

Price: $xxxx

Call David at xxx-xxx-xxxx for more information.


History:

Acquired car from good friend in 2008 with 155,000 miles on it.

He, in turn, had purchased it in 2005 with 137,000 miles on it. Owner previous to him had had it serviced at MB dealer.

Maintenance:

Upon purchase, performed the following:

• Steering damper, idler arm bushing replaced
• New tires (Bridgestone Turanza LS400)
• Oil and filter change using Mobil Turbo Diesel Truck 5W40 Synthetic
• Transmission fluid and filter change
• Power steering fluid and filter change
• Air filter change
• Brake fluid replacement
• Coolant replacement
• Fuel filters replacement
• Repaired small rust hole near trunk
• Replaced driver’s seat frame

Since then, the car has required the following:

• Monovalve replacement
• Transmission front pump seal resealed
• Turbo replaced

Condition:

All major systems in excellent working order. In particular, engine, transmission, climate control, and suspension all performing to high standards.

Exterior/paint is excellent. Interior is fine but not excellent. There is a crack in the dash which I filled in, but I have a SDL-specific (shape and color) dash cover than can be installed by new owner.

Items Not Operational:

• Sunroof needs new motor
• Clock doesn’t work
• Exterior temperature gauge doesn’t work
• Cruise control doesn’t work—this may just be a matter of the lever on the column, which is loose. Or it may also involve the cruise amplifier and/or actuator….I haven’t had it diagnosed.

This is a great car and I want with every fiber of my being to keep it. But, since I now own three MB diesels, I need to sell one (or so says my wife).

$500 I can pick it up tomorrow. :D

From RI, I would say the largest factor in price is going to be how bad the rust is. Properly rusted SDL is worth the price of it's components, no more. Was the rust hole in the trunk just above the cladding? Maybe some pictures?

Haha...I KNEW I'd get at least one of those responses. Hard to rely on you guys for objectivity....conflict of interest and all.

Only spent two months in RI....most of its life in IL and PA, in VA for last 10 months. Other than that one spot (just below rear window, maybe 1/8" in diameter), no rust AT ALL.

No pics yet....daughter still has it in VA.

Is it registered in VA or in RI? If VA, then sell it there. You may get more for it near the DC area...

IF RI, hopefully, it is nearly rust free, like never driven in Salt by the owner before your friend....and you get top dollar for it.


That's my honest opinon of what you can expect price wise.

This thread really needs pics.:rolleyes:

:)

Registered in RI. Like I say, no rust at all.

I know pics are critical....I just don't have car with me and I'm trying to get a good ballpark asking price based on my description.

I've lived in both. IL is worse than RI for salt, and they add sand and gravel to add insult to injury. PA doesn't salt nearly as much as IL, but they too use sand and gravel.