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Garage => Test Drive => Topic started by: Harv on 12 March 2018, 09:05 PM

Title: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: Harv on 12 March 2018, 09:05 PM
Cracked wood, rear seat is started to fall apart, wrong battery size.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1979-Mercedes-Benz-S-Class/263546731714?hash=item3d5c9bfcc2:g:DaoAAOSwH1VapwPu&vxp=mtr

(https://mercedesheritage.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/02-1.jpg)
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: daantjie on 12 March 2018, 10:44 PM
If miles are accurate then the price is not too crazy I guess. Nice colour combo save for the pin striping.
As we all know there is probably at least 10K in deferred maintenance waiting in the wings.
Nice but not 39K nice.
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: nathan on 13 March 2018, 06:31 AM
seems pretty fair for a nice car. people who think you can buy a 5k 6.9 and turn it into a show winner for 10k are likely to end up disappointed. this could be the first 6.9 ive seen in many many years advertised with pictures of its emergency blocks for example - a nice sign its a quality car
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: daantjie on 13 March 2018, 10:05 AM
I agree the car shows well, but...I see seller states that they have a new front leveling valve installed. "Ja well no fine" as we say in SA, but why not change the rear one too which is clearly weeping fluid, HUH?  Half assing jobs, especially on the suspension is folly >:(
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: nathan on 13 March 2018, 10:23 AM
Dan, how many new valves have you got lying around?!  ;)
on the 116 fruitcake scale im right up there, and I only had one new valve, which I put on my car a few weeks ago diagnosing a problem.  just because he didnt pop two unobtainable new valves on the car doesn't make this half assed! this thing is very tidy (except for those horrible US bumpers!). even the alloys are absolutely unmarked!
I do find it odd about the pin striping though. even that 229mile car the classic centre sold had that stuff on it. who put it on these US cars?!
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: daantjie on 13 March 2018, 11:07 AM
Quote from: nathan on 13 March 2018, 10:23 AM
Dan, how many new valves have you got lying around?!  ;)
on the 116 fruitcake scale im right up there, and I only had one new valve, which I put on my car a few weeks ago diagnosing a problem.  just because he didnt pop two unobtainable new valves on the car doesn't make this half assed! this thing is very tidy (except for those horrible US bumpers!). even the alloys are absolutely unmarked!
I do find it odd about the pin striping though. even that 229mile car the classic centre sold had that stuff on it. who put it on these US cars?!

Indeed I have seen this pin striping pop up occasionally.  I guess some guy got a deal to apply these as they came off the boat from the Vaterland. I highly doubt this would have been done at the factory. Maybe the guy got paid by the cm on these ha-ha...
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: s class on 13 March 2018, 11:50 AM
I rate this car very highly.  All the exterior rubber parts, dash, leather are factory fresh with not even a hint of sun damage.   That speaks volumes about the car.  I think it's well worth rth the asking.
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: daantjie on 13 March 2018, 12:26 PM
OK you guys convinced me ;D  Taking a look at the dark orange hue of the indicator lenses is also a sign of a pampered life, or recently replaced with NOS units.  Bodes well.
But...I do not see somebody dropping 39K right off the bat.  I think the seller will do better putting this on Bring A Trailer (BAT) and be very engaged in the comments.  Nice examples always fare well there, only if all known faults are clearly disclosed by an engaged seller, and with plenty of high quality pics and videos. Will it crack the current ask on BAT?  Tough to say, but I would be  (pleasantly) shocked if this goes for the current ask on ebay in one go
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: rumb on 13 March 2018, 02:03 PM
Quote from: s class on 13 March 2018, 11:50 AM
I rate this car very highly.  All the exterior rubber parts, dash, leather are factory fresh with not even a hint of sun damage.   That speaks volumes about the car.  I think it's well worth rth the asking.

look at the rubber bottom of windshield a pillar trim, rubber gasket on tail lights.  But overall in good condition.  Of course my pet peeve of not connecting the headlight washer hoses correctly.
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: karmann_20v on 13 March 2018, 07:45 PM
Car looks good, but I not $39,000 good. 5 more days and we'll find out. Then it goes to BaT.
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: hanno on 14 March 2018, 06:40 PM
Damn that's nice. No desire (yet) for another one but I need whoever detailed it to com to my house.
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: Randys01 on 16 March 2018, 07:36 AM
What a beauty. If this was Aus Spec at home, she'd fetch the asking money.
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: adamb on 16 March 2018, 02:05 PM
I really don't like that these are becoming investor cars. Parts getting more expensive and wrong kinds of people taking an interest. Crazy that this model is selling for 40G even more crazy is that there's another 6.9 lhd car for sale at 60,000 GBP in a Mercedes Owners Club mag. Time to cash in I wonder?
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: daantjie on 16 March 2018, 02:19 PM
Quote from: adamb on 16 March 2018, 02:05 PM
I really don't like that these are becoming investor cars. Parts getting more expensive and wrong kinds of people taking an interest. Crazy that this model is selling for 40G even more crazy is that there's another 6.9 lhd car for sale at 60,000 GBP in a Mercedes Owners Club mag. Time to cash in I wonder?

The market is a lot stronger in Europe for these. In NA this is a 25K tops car or at least it has been for a while. They seem to be garnering more interest though as the 6.3 is declining in popularity.
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: nathan on 16 March 2018, 07:05 PM
Dan, why do you think the 6.3 is declining in popularity (in the US)?
I have had this chat with the locals.  I imagine cars have their first peak in 'value' when those who grew up admiring them can finally afford them.  But then after years, like now, the 6.3 becomes a bit scary as who can repair them?! finally, a second peak comes when collectors realise numbers of such cars become quite scarce.  Here in Australia, 6.3s are pretty scarce, and I think they have reached a climbing phase.  Personally (and I think ive got good contacts to fix them as I cant!), id be too scared to own one.  The 6.9 however, seems a more manageable automobile for an aspiring classic car owner. 

Again, as for the values, I think the MBs are just catching up to domestic products.  Each country has its own home grown bias for cars.  Here in Australia, Mercedes fans often shake their heads when they see similar aged Holdens or Fords which aren't anywhere near the same quality as our cars, sell for obscene values.  In the US you have your various brands and muscle cars, and in the UK, you have Rollers, Jensens, Jags and so on.  Now, as numbers thin out, our cars are finally picking up. 

I dont see much of a problem with this car, its very clean and straight. Despite attempts, you will not be able to put together as nice a car as this with the resto of a cheapo 116 without a massive investment (of time and money).
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: daantjie on 16 March 2018, 09:11 PM
Quote from: nathan on 16 March 2018, 07:05 PM
Dan, why do you think the 6.3 is declining in popularity (in the US)?
I have had this chat with the locals.  I imagine cars have their first peak in 'value' when those who grew up admiring them can finally afford them.  But then after years, like now, the 6.3 becomes a bit scary as who can repair them?! finally, a second peak comes when collectors realise numbers of such cars become quite scarce.  Here in Australia, 6.3s are pretty scarce, and I think they have reached a climbing phase.  Personally (and I think ive got good contacts to fix them as I cant!), id be too scared to own one.  The 6.9 however, seems a more manageable automobile for an aspiring classic car owner. 

Again, as for the values, I think the MBs are just catching up to domestic products.  Each country has its own home grown bias for cars.  Here in Australia, Mercedes fans often shake their heads when they see similar aged Holdens or Fords which aren't anywhere near the same quality as our cars, sell for obscene values.  In the US you have your various brands and muscle cars, and in the UK, you have Rollers, Jensens, Jags and so on.  Now, as numbers thin out, our cars are finally picking up. 

I dont see much of a problem with this car, its very clean and straight. Despite attempts, you will not be able to put together as nice a car as this with the resto of a cheapo 116 without a massive investment (of time and money).

Nathan yes I think you nailed it in that my theory is that the baby boomers are (literally) dropping out of the market. Take a look at how auction houses like Barret Jackson have seen a drop off in values on cars from the 50s 60s and to a certain extent 70s too. Simply this was the sweet spot for boomers with disposable income finally being able to buy the cars of their childhood dreams.

Forward now to the Gen X crowd and lesser extent Millennials and now we are seeing cars from the 80s rocketing in value. Look at 126 values for example and E30 BMW.

Cars from the 70s are in a bit of a "no man's land" it seems value wise.

As for the 6.9 indeed it's the only M100 you could realistically live with on a semi daily basis. 6.3 parts are priced in the stratosphere and  600 parts are in another galaxy!

Also vintage Benzes are very much an acquired taste for the average North American. Land yachts are still very much the car of choice for middle America trying to "make America great again"...

So we have a perfect storm for very limited demand for M100 cars in NA. Again I think the 6.9 is now finally not the ugly girl at the M100 dance anymore.

This is of course just my theory and not to be taken as the gospel :) believe me I really want to see 6.9 values come into their own and I think the tide is finally turning  :)
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: ptashek on 17 March 2018, 07:26 AM
QuoteDespite attempts, you will not be able to put together as nice a car as this with the resto of a cheapo 116 without a massive investment (of time and money).

Most likely not, especially in case of a 6.9.
Truth be told if I were to sell my standard 450 at this price, I'd be losing out big time.

But even in this condition you'd be spending big money to get this car perfect.
IMO, whether you buy a great original car to make perfect, or a good el-cheapo to rebuild, you're not going to make any money off of any W116 anytime soon. And it seems the sweet spot for entering the market has passed already, at least in Europe.
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: TJ 450 on 17 March 2018, 04:20 PM
I agree with a lot of the above points, although I would be surprised if the 6.3 was on the decline. It may just be, as you say, that some owners are kicking the bucket and there may be more on the market. In any case, they are far from a practical vehicle in my experience and wouldn't wish the trauma of restoring one upon anyone!

This 6.9, or the W116 in general, is actually a practical and very soundly engineered vehicle as far as older MBs are concerned, and in good condition you can rely on them to take you anywhere.

But yes, it's still an expensive proposition even when it comes to maintenance, although as enthusiasts we love a good challenge.

Tim
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: daantjie on 18 March 2018, 09:27 PM
Less than a day to go. I am thinking it will not go at current ask and we may see this one on BAT before long...
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: nathan on 19 March 2018, 02:44 AM
what is this bring a trailer thing you speak of!?
Title: Re: $39,000 6.9 on eBay
Post by: ptashek on 19 March 2018, 06:28 AM
Quote from: nathan on 19 March 2018, 02:44 AM
what is this bring a trailer thing you speak of!?

Happy browsing Nathan: https://bringatrailer.com/