Mods affecting value

[jsb357]

Need opinions…

After years of searching W123’s combined with the craigslist cars
drying up around these parts, I bought a 300D almost a year
ago now.

It’s a decent looker, starts every time, runs decent, a lot of
pieces missing from the climate system, no service records,
clean title , no rust.

I removed tons of wiring from alarms, stereos, amps, etc.
getting the car as close to stock as I could.

I added a manual valve and blower control so I could have
some heat, and basically did the same for the AC but found
some leaks ( some orings need replacing) .

With the market for these cars ( in stock pristine condition)
trending upwards how far can I go with non-stock mods
without completely destroying potential future value?

If the value is tied to the retained exterior stock look,
then other mods won’t matter. Right?

Case in point I saw an old GTO with different seats and
interior, digital gauges, in dash DVD receiver, etc. on the
market for 70k. Nowhere near stock yet retaining near
stock restored value.

[sloride]

I would think a serious collector would absolutely take those, or any mods/hacks into consideration. The GTO seller may just be throwing it out there with fingers crossed, hoping they find someone long on money and short on brains.

[jsb357]

Most likely a serious collector would not even
consider a Benz without service records.

But as serious collector prices increase
so do all avenues of potential sale.

[t walgamuth]

The only trouble with mods to the 123 Benzes is there are not many that work better than stock. so stock is valued. There are exceptions such as Rollguy's Sanden AC compressor upgrade.

[Tony H]

Interesting topic-what mods increase or decrease value. I know a lot is in the eye of the beholder but watching BAT have seen some modified cars go for more than original.

[rumb]

For the purist any mods are verboten. For someone that wants a great driver car then not so much. Changing color is a big turn off and does affect value.
Some people like non stock wheels, others hate them.

Building a Red Pig can increase value, but I have seen a Red Pig with a 6 cylinder engine - a total waste.

IMHO a 300D is not ever going to be a collector car. Restore it to enjoy it!

[280EZRider]

I agree with the comment on retaining the original color, as well as single stage paint as that is what was used on cars of your vintage. Original paint is wonderful, but a respray is quite acceptable if it's done right.

Changing from Yorkie to Sanden should not harm the value as neither compressor is MBZ.

Other parts, if needed to be exchanged for non-original, will be much more acceptable by purists if they are from other models, at least, of MBZ.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by jsb357

With the market for these cars ( in stock pristine condition)
trending upwards how far can I go with non-stock mods
without completely destroying potential future value?

Most 123 diesels have high mileage - that is what they are good at. Can't imagine them having collectors value unless absolutely pristine, very low mileage museum quality.

I bought my 85 when it had just came off a lease back in about 1990. 30+ years later, still drive it every day. If someone wanted to buy it, it would be because it is well preserved and they could continue driving it every day. I wouldn't expect to get a high price - she has served us well!

I wouldn't worry about future value - just keep her and drive her!

[bracurrie]

The two door and convertible models are the only real collectors cars save the 6.3 and 6.9s. The W100 is also a special case. W123s are practical cars that should be evaluated as such unless there is a sentimental value involved.
I would be hesitant to buy a MB that had been modded visibly but wouldn't shy from anything done that aids in the car's drivability, longevity or safety.

[87tdwagen]

The Collector car maket is a strange place indeed and varies tremendously from model to model. There are true purists that value 100% originality and devalue restored vehicles. There is a wannabe purists, that go to extreme costs to restore a vehicle to as new with factory chaulk marks and insist that this is the the top, although strangely, these are the least original examples on the market. Some collect cult vehicles and perfer resto mods, modernized examples of classics.

A wide range. That being said a W123 may not fall into this classification and likely only really low mileage original unmodified cars will catch a collector's eye.

[Tomguy]

Some 2.7 million w123s were sold. I know hardly any were preserved, as a percentage, but 0.1% of 2.7 million cars is still 270,000 well-preserved examples... Even if it's half that, you still are looking at a car that's only worth what people are willing to pay for something that was produced on such a large scale.

Also keep in mind the value of 50s cars. They're starting to drop as more people can no longer recall being driven around in them, or having them as first cars, or lusting after them as kids. Right now, 70s, 80s, and 90s cars are going up in value as older cars from the late 60s and early 70s are at their peak. Sure, some rare 50s cars are going to retain a chunk of value, like the Gullwings, but not most. Meanwhile, try to buy an original, good-condition 90s Supra turbo for under 6 figures.