Part Out or Try to sell whole?
 

Ok.... I am facing an interesting question.

Here is the situation.

1989 420 SEL
Black / Palomino

245,xxx miles

The good:

Still runs and drives fine. Burns a little oil, trans is a little sluggish in engaging gear (takes a sec) but drives and shifts fine.

I have all books, records, etc....

New parts (within 18mo)
- Radiator
- Alternator
- Master Cylinder
- Fuel Pump Relay
- Klima Relay
- Shocks
- Brakes

- Trans rebuilt at 181k mi

Have all documentation of this and much much more.

The bad:

Moans and groans from the suspension sometimes, especially when cold.

Needs a warning buzzer relay

Needs a steering box adjustment (15 degrees or so of play, but allignment is spot on)

Seat bottoms on both front seats are in fair to poor shape (no tears but dry and worn) - Currently have a set of sheepskins on them.

Oil Consumption - approx 1 qt per 1100 miles of 70% Highway (70-80 mph) driving, 30% around town / stop and go rarely.
(I'm thinking valve guide seals here)

Tiny dime sized spot of surface rust (in trunk under rear window)

Body is 8/10 (paint is complete but has scratches, marks etc)

Now here is my question.

Should I try to sell this as a working and complete car?? Compared to a lot of the W126's I see on the road, this one seems in nicer shape than 7/10, but is one of the highest mileage gas models I have run into at this point.

I want to get about 4500 dollars out of this car to justify the expenses I have put into it.

Am I crazy to expect that?

Otherwise I'm tempted to part it out, - It seems by perusing ebay and some other places, that by parting it out I could get this pretty readily, If I invested some time in picking apart the car. I hate to see her have this fate, as these cars are a dying breed, and she would make a great daily driver.

I would love to hear your opinions on the matter.

George - E-mail - george@parts4sale.com

Part it out
 

I was in a similar situation. WIth ebay nowadays, your audience for the parts...everything hard to find like the dashboard, wood trim, windows, bumpers, wheels, center console, trim, taillights, hood even, would fetch you far more than 4500 if you are patient and don't mind the aggravation. Take the money that you get from the parting and get yourself a lower mileage car.

Well its not the miles that scare me....
 

Rather two things.

I have a rather long commute, and this car isnt exactly "fuel effiecient". 16 - 18 mpg with predominantly highway driving.

#2 My wife drove the car all of twice, and absolutely refuses to get behind the wheel of it again, It is way too large for her, and she is terrified to drive it. Therefore, I am driving it 24/7. Not that I mind this, that much, but I would prefer to have it around as a lower use car... I'm putting around 800 miles a week on it.

I need to get something smaller, maybe 6cyl that gets a lil better gas mileage, and my wife isnt terrifed to drive.

George - E-mail = George@parts4sale.com

I have a friend that would be interested in the sheepskins are they in good condition?