Just some random observation, looking at this most recent RNM on BAT, looked to have been a great example, barely cracked 8K USD :o
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-mercedes-benz-450sel-8/
Cheap money has dried up with interest rates rising, and the bubble is bursting.
Agreed, I think the belt tightening has only begun...
It seems to me that the special car prices are holding OK. For sure average used car prices have tanked. Good time to buy. Maybe the green colors and big US bumpers hurt that car also.
Funny, I thought this price was actually a mildly positive indicator. While I really like the color, it is not a anthracite on Tan/Black, or more universally appreciated color. The miles are also relatively high for a 'collector grade'. I would say though the provenance of being a high class area in California car and the great condition is a definite plus.
Quote from: Neil4speed on 18 May 2023, 02:07 PMFunny, I thought this price was actually a mildly positive indicator. While I really like the color, it is not a anthracite on Tan/Black, or more universally appreciated color. The miles are also relatively high for a 'collector grade'. I would say though the provenance of being a high class area in California car and the great condition is a definite plus.
I was actually thinking about the same. 450SEL's have never been as popular, from what I've seen, as 450SE's or 6.9's. They're kind of a red-headed stepchild, from where I sit.
The most interesting comment was the guy popping in and insisting that lwb cars are "V116" not "W116." I believe he's wrong, and confusing LWB with limousines, but maybe we can start that argument here. :)
Dont get me started with the V thing.
There is no official proof from MB that V means limo or long. We all know L is for lang.
There are wiki and other articles parroting the same thing, but no proof. I've already wasted too much time searching.
It never made sense to me that "V" denoted a long-wheelbase car, when "W" is actually the longer letter... ;)
https://bringatrailer.com/mercedes-benz/w116-s-class/
Chart shows an increasing number of w116 being sold with slight increase in prices plus some high sales for high quality cars.
Ah, the V thing. It may have been used as a suffix for 6-door cars (similar to L for long-wheelbase). Other than that:
W = Saloon
R = Roadster
C = Coupe / Cabrio (same platform)
S = Estate
At least these were used into the 1990s. There might be additional ones since.
So on later S-class generations such as the W221, the L for Lang, is no longer on the boot lid.
As such the long wheel-base 221 is designated V221. Same goes for W222/V222 and W223/V223 (Z223 is the Maybach version)
It seems the genius on the BAT comments, does not know what year this change occurred.... some 40 years later ;D