The Monied Herd selects the Next "Classic" Mercedes, the W123 Wagon

[John Hubertz]

Take a look at this ebay sale price on a 300 diesel wagon.  Especially amazing considering the car has quite a few miles:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=ViewItem&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649&item=130756871879&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT#ht_1696wt_1168

I've not seen a sale price even close to this amount on any other 70s or 80s model (except the mighty M100 6.3, which IMHO should be categorized as a 60s car).

[marku]

They haven't sold it yet. Never liked the 123 give me the 116 every time.

[Hemersam]

Ha! You should have seen the recent post on Dallas/Ft Worth Craigslist where some clown was trying to sell a W115 (rust and all) for $30K. It looked like it was worth about 1.5K to 2K. Some people!
Hemersam

[Big_Richard]

.

[John Hubertz]

They haven't sold it yet. Never liked the 123 give me the 116 every time.

Oh, it sold all right.  $19,800!

[Beastie]

That W123 seems to be in uniquely good condition, with no money to spend. I can see someone being willing to spend that much to buy it but... I'm probably in good company when I say I'd rather spend that much on a well restored W116.



Check out this one: http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/mercedes-250ce-1969-10951149?base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=3&eapi=2&__N=1246+1247+1252+1282+1090+1216&num=15&silo=Stock&Range=Price:25000,35000~0.5&sort=~Year


I don't think they ever made a convertible W114, so that's likely to be a shoddy aftermarket chop with little to no chassis strengthening. I think that alone would destroy the resale value, let alone the fact that the paint doesn't look original, the colour doesn't match the hubcaps and the interior isn't original either. The description reads that the price has been reduced. I remember seeing this exact ad a loong time ago but I can't remember the price back then.

The seller would need to slash thirty-thousand dollars off the price in order to join the rest of us here in reality.

[jbrasile]

Guys,

The owner found the right buyer, someone who appreciated the condition and work that went into the car and could afford it, nothing wrong with that. 

The problem is when people advertise "immaculate" cars for top $$$ and they need everything, that is almost always the case.

We sold the 77 6.9 we restored in 2007/2008 for US$75k, and that did not cover everything  the previous owner spent on the car, a lot of money?  yes.... but the person who  bought  it valued every dime that was invested. Most importantly, there is a "book" that contains every single receipt as well as a detailed description of ALL work done on the car as well as a CD with all the pictures, etc.... basically an impecable pedigree. Top car, top $$$

Tks,

Joe

[ziper1221]

Didnt he actually find 2 buyers?

[Tony66_au]

123's are something you have to appreciate to truly love.

And considering they were made until the mid 80's when the W124 emerged there are plenty of them about.

Now consider this, they were pretty much the last of the Chrome bumpers as far as Mercedes were concerned, they have similar styling to the 116 which is arguably the most gorgeous Mercedes produced after the 108/109.

They are also fine as a daily driver AND the oil burners are eco friendly-ish so politically they are also desirable in the main stream.

Here's the kicker.............

They age well, by this I mean that for their age and usual high mileage they are still very servicable and especially when compared with the W124's which age terribly based on average examples.

I have a W124 wagon albeit a 2.3 4 cylinder version and it is awful when compared to the 280TE I drove for a week and the 300D I piloted for a few days during a shakedown for a mate.

And I firmly believe they will endure too!

In the South eastern states of Australia a nice 123 wagon will fetch 4 to 8 thousand plus registration and road worthy.....

A Diesel commands a premium that seems to vary because of the added eco desirability and SVO option plus they are so very durable and far simpler than the K jet 6 cylinders and I have seen ordinary 300 diesel wagons fetch 10 to 15 thou with sunroof, electrics and working AirCon.

And that car here?

Would probably fetch the same money.

BTW, after a few mistakes (Buying the 124 wagon being one of em) I have a 123 Wagon on my list and especially a 7 seater.

Tony

[gf]

throw in sentimental factor of the most popular benz ever- sometimes i think rarity can be counterproductive in value of a car- some good old obscure cars just dont turn heads eg "whats a borgward?" many people say- the vw beetles always get the attention