Are MB Diesels increasing in value? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

diesel don · #1 02-23-2003, 10:54 PM

Is it my imagination or what?

I keep a semi-close eye on ebay (mainly 123's). It appears that they are achieving higher bids lately. Several have gone for over $5k with a couple cresting the $7k mark.

About 3 months ago, there seemed to be a lull where a guy could get a nice one for $2500 or so (perhaps 200k miles). Now they seem to be higher.

Has anyone else noticed this or is it wishful thinking?

Don

#2 02-23-2003, 11:10 PM

It would be nice if the prices are going up, that means I might actually make some money on my 300CD if and when I sell it. Then I might be able to pick up a 240D or a 230E real cheap and have money to fix

diesel don · #3 02-24-2003, 09:51 AM

I have been shocked myself at MB parts selling for 10% more than you can order everyday on Fastlane. Are people unaware of online ordering or what? Classic example is oil filters in the 8-9 dollar range. I get them on the quarterly 15% off from performance products for 6 and some change.

Don

#4 02-24-2003, 07:41 PM

You can often get ignorant people to pay extra on eBay, or even in printed classifieds for that matter. There is a fellow on eBay who is notorious for putting his Daimler Grand Saloons in the Rolls Royce section, I guess they compare favorably in price there!

Regarding used car prices, what I have noted watching places such as eBay Motors, AutoTrader.com and the like, is this: Until a couple of years ago, there seemed to be a 20-40% premium for Mercedes over what might be considered comparable 1980s cars (BMW, Jaguar, Cadillac, Lincoln). Then suddenly at the end of 2001, this premium seemed to go away, which is why I swooped in and bought my diesel Mercedes, after researching which seemed the best for what I needed (40 miles each way to work, mostly highway and a few curves). Fuel prices were rising, and it was time-consuming to keep the jag cleaned up all the time (that chrome grill looks nice but the Mercedes grill takes less cleaning, for one thing). So, it seems possible to me the Mercedes premium might be returning, not sure yet but it surely ought to, the reliability of those 1980s Mercedes, in my experience, is far beyond any other car. Makes me sad hearing about their newer cars then....

jobah · #5 02-24-2003, 08:37 PM

EBAY prices are up and down, like the temperature. Sometimes I cannot believe the price that cars/parts fetch. Other times, the item goes without any bidding.

I have followed it for a couple of years, and while I too have noticed a slight upward trend, I do not think it is a continuing trend, but a slight upward blip that will level out.

190D22 · #6 02-24-2003, 09:54 PM

I go to ebay for deals. I buy guitar things off ebay and some stuff for my car. But I've seen stuff go for high prices. People pay some stupid prices for guitars and amps. You might as well go to the store and get the warranty with it.

But for what it's worth, the mercedes in ads around here are more expensive than what I see stuff selling for on ebay. I don't know.

thebern · #7 02-24-2003, 10:27 PM

Bill,

be gentle on that cousin Bernie stuff; I do have a few nephews and one niece. Then again, it could be anyone's name. Just foolin!

thebern (aka Bernie)

#8 02-24-2003, 11:26 PM

I agree that cars on EBay often sell for more than what they are worth. I believe the reason for this is the element of competetion present in the game. Bidders become set on an item, and when the bidding starts, it is hard to stop. I read an article on this somewhere, and i experienced it myself. I piad about 100 too much for an item, just because I became caught up in the game. Ebay is a sellers marketplace. Great for good MB pictures though.

Mike

engatwork · #9 02-25-2003, 06:23 AM

The reason is, in my opinion, that the GOOD W123 cars are slowly going away. A year or two ago you could find lot's of 240/300D W123 cars in the Atlanta paper. This past weekend there were NO 240D's and just a couple 300D's and none of the 300D's were less than 4 or 5k.

#10 02-25-2003, 08:42 AM

Finding a good 123 is becoming a real problem.. Most are high miles.. My 78 CD was getting up in miles so I wanted a 123TD and starting looking around and most every thing I found was not much more than a parts car and all had 300 to 500 thousand miles on them.. I found an 85 in the Bay Area. I Saw it on the net in the SF Paper site.. Called the owner.. It had not made the paper yet.. Just posted on the site.. I got a Tellers Check from the local bank and was there at sun up in the morning.. I did get a very nice TD with 86 thousand miles but had to pay 5000 for it.. Not to much if you wanted one.. But the only one I found worth buying at most any price.. Turns out I got a far better deal than I thought.. It had been better taken care of than I thought..

Ken

turnne1 · #11 02-25-2003, 11:23 AM

I think it has everything to do with where the car is located
It also seems that with cars over 15K or so that the prices go lower..as compared to retail that is
Maybe people are more afraid of what they can't see when they start spending more money..??
BUT with cars under 10K it seems to be the opposite
I have seen people overpay
But then again I have seen cars advertised in the Star at what I think are very unrealistically high prices
but again I guess that old saying "something is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay" is true

heck maybe I should my car on ebay..lol

Warren
1992 300SD 161K
Columbus Ohio

tstarr · #12 02-25-2003, 11:56 AM

There is a standard auction effect going on, and with EBay sometimes it gets accentuated. A few years ago I was looking to get a new car and thought I would hit the local car auctions. I was amazed at what some of the cars went for, especially considering I had already looked at the same car at car dealers the day before at lower prices and in better shape.

Having said that, I got a great deal on an 87 300SDL off of Ebay primarily because there were only 2 people bidding. It really depends on timing, and sometimes you sneak in and catch it at a low activity time. I have bought a number of parts for my MB and my Packard at some really attractive prices. If the bidding gets too hot, I just back off.

BoostnBenz · #13 02-25-2003, 10:24 PM

I also noticed that the average going price of a W123 car is higher. It seems like more are being sold online right now than previously. I bought both of mine either directly or a result of ebay.

I sell things on ebay from time to time, the day and time always seems to effect the closing price. Also it seems like anytime an item is relisted that it always goes for less the next time.

Maybe it is coincedental, but it seems like on these ebay auctions the best way to get it as cheap as possible is to get a bid in within 15 seconds of closing. The closer to closing time the better. Kind of rude, sure, but effective.

Jeff M.

300SDog · #14 02-26-2003, 07:15 AM

C'mon you guys.... not one person has mentioned that fuel prices have risen through the roof - and that old merc diesels represent the safest "use-value" investment that anybody can make!!!

Especially the older 240D's from 1980's that could formerly be purchased for less than $1,000!!

Prices of vintage MB's have gone all over the place.... where you used to get a fin-body for $750 - they are now priced over $4G.

It will likely take "modern" engineering another 5 years to catch up with real necessity...... whereas SUV's have pigged the market - There is plain and simply no more practical car to own than an old Merc diesel.

The consumer market is not entirely stupid..... so our secret of owning practical, well-built diesels is soon to get out!

#15 02-26-2003, 09:18 AM

There are lots of people grabbing up older VW and M-B diesels with Bosch inline pumps and IDI (and even the occasional Peogeot 504 wagon) in order to run free used peanut oil from their favorite local seafood place blended into the #2 fuel.