A classic car dealer here had this 6.9 for sale for £49,950. Claimed three owners and 99,00 miles fully serviced and no problems. They now claim it sold. I wonder if they got the asking price? Do not recall any 116 here going for that sort of money although the official Mercedes site is close to that and seems to have no problem. They do of course come with a full MB guarantee. I hope they did for all of us.
That's a lot of scratch for a 100K mile 6.9. Here that would unfortunately be a 5K car.
about time we started talking our cars up. don't you think
Yes, Robert, that's the problem. 8) The under-appreciation of the W116 globally has everything to to with the fact that all Merc drivers are egomaniacs with an over-inflated sense of self-worth, except for the W116 owners. We are all way too nice, helpful and honest to be properly capable of overcharging for our cars.
Let's make the W116 great again! ;D
Quote from: floyd111 on 06 June 2017, 07:58 PM
Let's make the W116 great again! ;D
Wait until I get my RHD 350SEL in Milan Brown with parchment leather and manual gearbox, if there ever was one made like it. Then you can talk the W116 to your heart's content. I'll jump right in :)
As a side note: classic dealers, and private sellers in many respects, in the UK have lost their beans many moons ago. It's a crazy market, with crazy asking prices and dreamers galore.
In Australia over the last 6 months, prices have started to go up quite a bit. the Honourable RobertD led the charge and the pricing of his car led to a few guys jacking theres up and its now the norm. I am aware some have sold for 40-50k AUD for 6.9s (~80% in USD). About time, 6.3s did this a while ago. Some examples locally.
http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=SSE-AD-4701758&Cr=1
http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?R=OAG-AD-14751021&Cr=2
http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=SSE-AD-4557757&Cr=0
http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=SSE-AD-4753817&Cr=4
Wanting values to rise is a death omen to us and our cars, fellas. When values rise, they become out of reach for the true enthusiasts, and end up in the hands of only the wealthy under a cover never to see the light of day again....much less any proper maintenance. In addition, when Mercedes and parts suppliers get wind of the rising values, parts prices also become out of reach for the enthusiasts. There is absolutely no good that comes out of raising the values. Sure, a few people will make some money, but how does that benefit the real enthusiasts? It doesn't. Also, if making some extra money is the main concern, then the seller wasn't an enthusiast to start with. Insurance premiums will rise quite a bit, too, when their values rise. The W116 is currently the only classic Mercedes that isn't overpriced and available to regular fellas like us. Don't mess up good thing.
The values in Australia are not to be considered when trying to get a feel of values. In Australia, people pay double and triple more than what cars are actually worth. I'm not sure why this is, but it's apparently a current trend that Australians seem to be ok with. If it's a left hand drive car in Australia, it's worthless. Likewise, right hand drive cars in the U.S. are a really hard sell, too. Though, I prefer right hand drive cars any day of the week.
Guys, believe me I would love for our cars to appreciate in value, but agree with Aaron that we do not want the Pagoda - level stupidity to kick in here. The bottom seems to be falling out of that market, so that is not what we want either.
As always I think it is a supply and demand question. The US is and was a massive market for Benz, though recently they have shifted efforts, as have all major manufacturers, to China. Not much we can do about that of course.
Thus it becomes a numbers game, in that tens of thousands of W116's made it to the US over the Atlantic. Plus in the US most baby boomers want a classic Ford/Chevy etc, so they would literally not piss on an old Benz even if it was on fire. So in a way this is a perfect storm to keep 116 values in the crapper in the US, and by extension Canada as well.
In South Africa where I am from originally, Benz has always had a really strong footprint, thus we always had tons of old Benzes kicking around. Maybe Ryan (s class) can weigh in on the current state of the classic Benz market there,but I suspect it is still going strong. We did not get US cars back in the day due to sanctions related to Apartheid, thus we have the opposite situation to the US in that regard. Most folks in SA would not touch an old US piece of Detroit crap with a ten foot barge pole ;D
I'm happy with these cars not having a lot value as well. I don't personally care about the dollar value of my car. If I ever sold it, it would be to buy another old Mercedes (like a W111 sedan, which are increasing in value, but not at the same rate as the coupes and pagodas). I feel like a W116 is a good value for the money (though sorting out the climate control can be a costly headache). I certainly wouldn't be able to drive a Mercedes if it wasn't for the comparatively low market value of some of them for what they are.
I never bought my 6.9 with any intention of selling it. Prices going up is not good news. Hopefully the classic car bubble will burst soon.
I have been convinced for some time that Mercedes are promoting the 116 as the next "Classic". The prices they ask on the all stars site are high but they seem to get them. I think there is an advantage in a good market price as it supports the spares and other things. I know that it freezes out the enthusiasts like us if prices get too silly but it also brings in the professional restorers. With more top quality cars about pushing the price up can only be beneficial to our cars. There are going to fewer and fewer poor cars about particularly here where there are not many 116s to start with. And by the way the problems of sorting out the air conditioning fitted in the 116 the Mercedes buyers guide says don't by a car with it fitted there are too many problems.
interesting thoughts. the only one that seems a bit odd is that rising prices somehow forces out 'real enthusiasts'? Im not sure why this would be the case, I didn't realise you had to be on government handouts to be an enthusiast! When the market for these cars exist, MB or other sources will start producing parts to cater for them. To say parts will rise in cost does not sound accurate, at least one may be able to get parts if people are willing to pay for them.
I think the rising prices keeping real enthusiasts out statement is because when prices are low, everyone who wants a W116 can have one. When prices are high, only enthusiasts with a decent income can afford one, which greatly cuts down on the numbers (I wouldn't be able to own and daily drive a W116 if the prices were that of a pagoda or other comparable value model). Then the rest of the owners are "investors" with deep pockets that only want the car as a trophy that they can hide away until they can turn a profit later or trade for some other high-dollar car.
As for parts prices, the prices probably have more to do with demand than anything else. Though, when values on these cars are low, more people can own them and afford to buy parts for them, so there is more demand, but prices can be kept low because of the volume of parts being sold. When the value of the cars are high, only a few people can own them and then the demand goes down and parts prices will probably go up because of it. It seems like a reverse supply and demand scenario because parts manufacturers are more willing to make parts when there is a high enough demand. When there isn't as much demand for parts, they either aren't willing to make them--or if they are, they charge a very high price so they can pay for their manufacturing costs.
It's a bit like the 600--Mercedes will likely have most parts always available due to the high value of the car, but then you're paying $3,000 for a windshield seal and $2,500 for a power window switch because even though those parts should cost 20 times less than what they do, the demand is so low that they have to charge outrageous prices in order to pay their manufacturing costs.
Just to add on to this don't forget the inventory carrying cost as well. Most of us expect a new part to look, feel and smell new. That costs money to make happen of course in terms of warehousing so it all ads up folks.
I wasn't ruling out all of the other factors regarding the price of parts. However, I meant what I said about part prices in the literal sense. When the value of a particular chassis rises, so do the parts prices for that chassis. It's a game manufacturers have played for many years, and it makes very clear sense. I'm not sure how to further convey the simplicity of this fact. For example, before the pagodas shot up in prices, a windshield was around $200-$300. After they skyrocketed in value, the windshield went up to over $500 overnight for no reason at all. In Europe, the windshield is over 700 Euros!
High market prices are not what supports the supply of parts. It does affect it, but only to a small degree. Supply of parts usually relies on demand, and demand can also affect price, as was already mentioned.
Nathan, you've completely missed the my point in thinking that you have to be on government handouts to be an enthusiast. What I was saying was that the majority of W116 enthusiasts aren't millionaires. Re-read what Squiggle Dog wrote in his first paragraph. Neither myself or Squiggle Dog are assuming that all enthusiasts are rich. And of course parts prices rise when values of the car rises. Those two things are mathematical functions of one another. Please refer the the first paragraph of this post regarding that. Furthermore, if a part is re-made due to demand, the price will be double what the part is actually worth because they base the price off of the percentage of demand. There has to be a large demand before they'll even consider re-making a part.
MarkU, High market values don't support parts supply. Again, demand prevails over anything else. And why exactly do you feel that rising values is such a good thing? Surely you've read all of the fore and aft commentary thus far that explains why rising values is predominately a negative attribute? Again, absolutely no good comes out of values rising. The only ones that benefit are the far flippers who care nothing about the cars. Regarding the automatic climate control, it's one of the simplest ACC systems ever made, and for a buyers guide to warn against it is pretty petty. Servo and amplifier prices aside, Parts are extremely cheap for the system, and once repaired, the longevity of the system is resorred for another 15-20 years. However, it's a buyers guide, and they aren't to be taken to heart since the people that wrote it are likely biased. It's just a guide....remember that.
I attended a presentation last summer by Hagerty. They said when a certain model becomes too expensive then folks start buying the next one in line. as pagodas have become too expensive now R107 are increasing in demand and thus prices rise.
When the 6.3 becomes too much $$ then the 6.9 will appreciate due to the new demand.
They use the data collected from their site for insurance quotes to judge the interest in each model. they assume if people are looking at the car then there must be some level of interest in it and then they use that info and other things like auctions sales to determine what the "hot" cars are.
600's cost too much so people pay a lot for 6.3's. it will eventually work down to 6.9's. unfortunately the other W116 will probably never amount to much.
W116 may be the ugly duckling, but EVERYONE knows what a 6.9 is.
Regarding 6.9 suspension, they sure get an undeserved bad rap. they are really quite simple and not all that $ to fix in the grand scheme of things. No different than any other newer mercedes airmatic.
Well, Hagarty is pretty hated in the car community, especially in the Mercedes crowd. They purposely inflate car values in order to bring in higher premiums. They also allow for agreed value policies in which the stiff you on when a total loss claim is filed. Essentially, they're allowing policy holders to insure there $5,000 car for $20,000. When the policy holder files a total loss claim, and is at zero fault, Hagarty is coming back saying more or less "well, your car is only currently worth $3,000-$5,000 in top condition, so we're going to only offer you $4,000." They're always in lawsuits regarding these corrupt way of business, and they're losing the majority of the cases. Feel free to look the hearings and rulings up on Michigan's government website. Your jaw will drop.
Their way of determining values is screwed up six ways to Sunday. Assumptions aren't solid enough to go on. I contacted them a few years ago asking where exactly they came up with their values on the 600 because they were about $60,000-$70,000 too high on their estimates. You know what they said? They said they use auction house pricing, and that they rely on that more than watching where people's interests are. Do you fellas know just how skewed auction house prices are?
There are several driving factors an auction that always skew the numbers. You have the heat of the game, grown men with millions of dollars acting like children just to outbid the other fella because he doesn't like them, they're usually boozed up on alcohol, and lots and lots of testosterone. Those 4 things alone are the very reason aution house prices are totally useless.
If classic car insurance is something you're after, then seek other companies like JC Taylor. (In the U.S.) Not sure about other companies world wide. And for heavens sake don't use Hagarty's pricing guide. Everything in it is botched! I don't have classic car insurance on any of my cars because I drive them too much, and I'm ok with that.
Still think rising prices are a good thing particularly in supporting parts. Read recently that Mercedes were now offering a part for a pre-war car that was previously unobtainable. Reason being that an owner/restorer had paid for the re-tooling to complete a project and so MB were now able to offer it generally.
heh Utn, I don't think I missed your point. There is no formal debate here, only opinions. Mine was that you implied that if you had any money, you couldn't be an enthusiast which would be a daft comment. Further suggesting that Australian values aren't to be considered when valuing the 6.9 is also a bit odd - remember you are on a site created by Australians! I daresay that the US has some of the weakest market values of 6.9s globally, so it could be US prices are less relevant than those here on a global basis. Anyway, I think risings costs for these cars is a good thing but people will pay what they want for them. With supply dwindling, the average price will eventually creep up regardless.
Oh no.....I only pointed out that the majority of people with money aren't enthusiasts because they buy something like a 6.9 as an investment. They buy it, hand on to it for a few years, and then sell it for a profit. Ironically, during the ownership any repairs are put off or done as cheaply as possible. I see it happen all of the time.
I made mention of the Australian values not being of any use because the Australians have tendency to pay triple and quadruple for a car as compared to what the rest of the world currently pays. The fact that Australians created this nice little website is insignificant regarding the point I was trying to get across. If someone was offended, then they must have egg shell feelings. My intent wasn't to offend anyone; only to bring to light that there are certain areas of the market that can't be considers because the end results will be skewed. The U.S. maybe the weakest value for the 6.9, but the U.S. also has the largest supply, so that's why it's factored in. Australia had/has very few 6.9 cars, but factoring in just one Australian price will skew the values for the rest of the world.
As far as rising costs go, I can't help but think that the majority of people want the values to rise so they can cash out. If values rise during the time that one owns a 6.9, then it hurts the owner's pocket book because parts prices go up and insurance premiums go up. The insurance premiums rise not only because the replacement cost increases, but also because they know that parts prices will sky rocket. It's a double edged sword for both the owner and insurer. Another negative aspect of rising values is that interests in the 6.9 will decline. People turn their attention to other makes/models when a certain model becomes overpriced.
Ask yourselves: What good does it do for you, the owner, when a car you have rises in value during ownership? How does it affect you? Aside from maybe breaking even or making a profit if the car were to be sold, there is no benefit to a car rising in value past anything of the intrinsic nature.
Mark, rising prices have no affect on Mercedes's or aftermarket parts suppliers decisions to re-make a part or not. A demand drives that decision. If anything, rising prices will hurt parts supply due to interest in the model having declined. When that happens the demand for parts pretty much extinguishes itself.
So think carefully about what you wish for. It will have negative impact on all involved.
UTn,
the logic you used does not stack up.
When the value of a particular model goes up, the owners are more inclined to spend good money on maintaining and restoring it.?
Just my opinion.
Everyone is making quite valid points but a good market price encourages ownership. Obviously we do not want the sort of prices some Mercedes models now go for but ultimately it is almost inevitable. Some models though seem destined to keep a low market value although something simply being old is sufficient to attract some purchasers whether or not it has any intrinsic value. I think that the 116 has a lot going for it and Mercedes seems to think the same. I quite agree that the high prices will of course make them unobtainable for most but it was always so and the enthusiast simply looks for the next model. I used to be a Jaguar enthusiast, and still am for that matter, owning and rebuilding several. A couple of Mk2s, a 1940s 3.5 and of course a '65 4.2 E type roadster. I can't afford any of them now and it was looking for another project and considering the 5.3 v12 XJS that I came across the 116. I am really glad I did because I think it a great car with a lot to interest and also it has the support of Mercedes. I have learned a lot about a car that I had never heard of, its been hard work, But I don't regret it for a minute.
I don't really mind what the prices do, because, while not wishing to sound mercenary, there are enough interesting old cars out there to keep my spanners oily until I'm too old to drive.
I usually try to run a Series XJ6 and an S Class in parallel, but, whilst Jags offer sublime dynamics, the w116 is probably the best engineered mass production car ever built, and as such offers (relatively) cheap ownership and should continue to do so even if they go up in value.
Robert, with the W116, what you state isn't always true. Again, at the current low prices that W-116 cars are selling for they're attracting people with not a lot of disposable income. They certainly love the car and are enthusiasts through and through, but the majority won't spend money on them because they can't. Even if the W116 all of a sudden started selling for insane amounts they still won't have money to put into them. At that point, they may decide to sell it.
This doesn't apply to just the W116 either. When any car value sky rockets, that doesn't necessarily mean that owners will start putting money in them...mostly because doing so after the cars values rise means it'll cost that much more. Yes, restorations shops, Mercedes Proper, and aftermarket parts suppliers charge more or less depending on what a cars values is. I don't, as it's corrupt, but the majority do.
Mark, I still think you're mistaken on your idea of rising values driving parts supplies and/or manufacture. If we go by that convention, then why aren't more needed parts available for a 600 or an old Ferrari? Mercedes has no interest in the W116. It's that simple. Sure, they promote restored examples or maybe a low mileage example, but they're still not going to start supplying parts for them any time soon, if ever at all. I think all of us can agree on the fact that a W116 is nearly impossible to restore because of the lack of parts. Just look how long it's taken Stan to procure all of what he needed just to restore 2 W116 cars. Even so, he's probably cornered the market on W116 NOS parts by now because there are either no more or too few of the parts left.
Hagarty news on slipping pagoda and R107 valuus.
https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/Articles/2017/06/19/hvr-june-2017-bottom-25?utm_source=MagnetMail&utm_medium=email&utm_term=rvunfug@msn.com&utm_content=17-Hagerty%20Weekly%20News%2006-21&utm_campaign=Craftsman%20video%3A%20The%20Pinstriper%2C%20inside%20a%201953%20%27Cutaway%27%20Corvette%2C%20and%20fixing%20your%20carb
I think both of these cars have shot up so fast lately that it is natural for a dip in the market.
FWIW: on the other hand they have values going up substantially for 6.9's.
https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/values/6387?yearRange=15
Quote from: shaggy on 20 June 2017, 03:25 PM
the w116 is probably the best engineered mass production car ever built
Maybe not THE best, but definitely up-there.
Testament to that statement is my just completed run of ~1600km around Bretagne and Normandy, with not as much as a blown fuse (but a kerbed 15" bundt though).
I've averaged 13.7l/100km on E98, in temperatures reaching 39*C...
It's a bit sad when people use the value of a car to justify its ownership. I'm more interested in the quality of the vehicle than its perceived value. Some absolutely horrible cars have very high market values, while some fantastic cars (like our W116s) have a very low market value. It doesn't seem to make sense. But, more people seem interested in restoring Ford Pintos than they are W116s.
For example, my roommate had a 1971 Ford Pinto that was a bit rough, but he did some things to fix it up and make it look pretty decent for not a whole lot of money. He sold that thing for $3,500 or something crazy. At the exact same time I sold my Milan Brown 1979 300SD on eBay which was in perfect mechanical condition and even had all the weatherstripping in the windshields and doors replaced and only got $900. Then shortly after, I sold a 1960 W111 220SE with sliding roof that was in fantastic condition, interior and exterior. It only went for about $800. But if it was a beat-up American musclecar or even a common American economy car, it would sell for several times that.
Still better than here in Taiwan, where you have no choice but to shell out 8-10000usd for a broken down, rotten W116.
It amazes me altogether how come global vintage car prices -in general- are that low. Millions of people spend 50-100000usd on a new car that will lose all but all value in 10 years. All of them would rather sit in plastic and tin cans whilst bleeding money every second of the decade -so they can show off AMG and M-badges.
I don't get that at all.
Buy vintage, keep your value, ride in style. I don't see the alternative.
It makes me ill that people will pay $21K for a car like this:
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/chevrolet/monte-carlo/1966083.html?refer=news
ha ha Rum, sometimes its hard to understand how other people think!
Its an interesting conversation point on this thread. Everyone has a valid point, and opinion.
To suggest 116s are unrestorable is far from the truth, but you do need to be resourceful. Having done a pretty large 6.9 restoration seen by most here, the bits are out there, you just need to find them. As noted, non 6.9 116s can be had in most countries (maybe not Taiwan by the sound of it!) for next to nothing. Even if you cant find new parts, you can find excellent old ones. I must have bought about 10-15 116s (not including the 6.9s) and wrecked them for parts. Its fun and provides bits for me and many local 116 colleagues - I am not a car wrecker by trade, but an enthusiast. One should not use Floyds efforts as an analogy to explain a difficult restoration or parts availabilities for our 116s. Most of his difficult items (boots, sowing kits, wheel chocks...) are not required for a restoration, but certainly interesting to an enthusiast! If you live in a country where MBs were sold at 'normal' prices, 116s are out there for the picking and the cars can be brought up to a very high standard if you can't find a nice one. Alternatively, companies pop up for demand. I recently went and looked at Kienle in Germany, who have a whole specialist department for m-100s!
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s211/nathan116/20170509_Kienle%20Restoration%204_zpsrlnbhpd1.jpg)
I agree with Floyd on the plastic coffins many drive around in. A recent service car e200 was a very mundane car which did it all perfectly but was bloody boring (and completely devoid of power and emotion!). I certainly love my 116, but would not want to drive my 6.9 on a daily basis. I love it too much and people don't respect our cars. Trolley dings, door dings, vandalism - there are many people out there with a lack of respect for others. So I drive an AMG around for day to day. Yes it will depreciate and I am aware of this, but I enjoy it a great deal. Modern cars provide phenomenal advances making day to day driving a piece of cake. But living in Australia when its 40+ degrees (Celsius) in summer, you would not last long in a 116 every day! When an uninsured twit cut me off a few months back and drove straight into me in oncoming traffic, I am certainly happy to have been a modern car which took off much speed before the imminent collision, with an airbag amongst other aids. I would be pretty happy driving around with a badgeless 63, and it gives the same joy a 6.9 probably gave owners in the 70s!
"foot partially in mouth" ;D
I second the non practicality of daily driving a 6.9. The gas bill alone will drive you to the poor house :o of course it can be done but it's far from practical. My next "new" Benz will be a W211 E55 if all goes to plan ;D
Well, I've daily driven a W116 for 10 years. For the last 5 years it's been in the Phoenix valley in Arizona where it can get over 120F/48C. Yesterday it was 121F/49C here in Surprise. For over a year I was using it to commute 1 hour each way in stop-and-go traffic (US-60 has stop lights and gets congested). Did I mention the air conditioning has never worked since I've owned it? :o
I don't know what justifies "Mercedes has no interest in the 116". The AllStars site has one illustrated between a 190SL and a 560K they are also restoring them. Classic Mercedes, the MB publication has also featured it. As for parts I have never had any problem. Every part I have bought new from Mercedes. Sure not a lot of trim is available but then neither is it for a lot of others but surprisingly I did get some chrome trim from them which was not expensive either. I would say again I do think rising prices are a good thing. Yes people will be priced out but although they might be a real enthusiast and enjoy owning the 116 it is doubtful that everybody has the inclination or indeed could afford to restore one. That would mean that more would get scrapped and with numbers beneath a critical level there would be no market at all. That surely would have a detrimental effect on parts availability.
I drove my red AMG6.9 daily for about a year. Its well sorted with new injectors, new chain, new ignition parts etc etc, and even with the k-jet very nicely set up, it was a little heavy on fuel in daily commute ;)
The fuel thing is indeed a thing, if one compares a 2017 civic to a 1077 W116 6.9.
My point was not to suggest tin can drivers should switch to a vintage 7000CC V8, haha!
There are alternatives, even non-W116, believe it or not. Lovely 70's 2-seaters from France or Italy, for example, that are cheap to restore, and even cheaper to drive.
Quote from: floyd111 on 23 June 2017, 10:12 AM
The fuel thing is indeed a thing, if one compares a 2017 civic to a 1077 W116 6.9.
My point was not to suggest tin can drivers should switch to a vintage 7000CC V8, haha!
There are alternatives, even non-W116, believe it or not. Lovely 70's 2-seaters from France or Italy, for example, that are cheap to restore, and even cheaper to drive.
To be honest Stan, there's a limit to nostalgia. At least for me.
Old cars are gas guzzlers, regardless of engine capacity. Good luck getting any petrol engine from the 1970s below 10l/100km.
Diesels are better, but they've earned their reputation for being smelly, smokey and slow as snails on valium for good reason. I still remember the W123 200D in my family - it was barely able to propel its own weight, let alone four passengers and their luggage. Zero to hundred took about a month ;)
Not to mention safety features like crumple zones, disc brakes all over, air bags and what not - even if Benz was always at the leading edge even in lesser models.
I drive my 450SE mostly long distance, like the recent 1600km roadtrip around west coast of France, or the 4000km roundtrips to Poland. I'd not use it as my daily, after having tried for a month before the resto. It's economically pointless however one looks at it.
Ha! I like having pretty much vintage everything. I don't plan on ever owning a car newer than my W116. In fact, one day I want to restore my 1967 Universal fintail wagon (in which I have put a diesel engine) and daily drive it. I could never see myself in anything newer. I just do not like the styling of newer cars, they way they drive, nor the way they are constructed. Even the fintails were pretty decent safety-wise.
I used to daily drive a 1968 W110 200D and I never felt that it was a slow car. I had no problem merging into 70 MPH traffic and was often flying past people in the fast lane. I felt like I was always tailgating other drivers. I used to drive it across several states and it would do 80 MPH all day and even maintain at least 40 MPH up steep grades. I only got rid of the car because it was so rusty. I kept hearing how slow these cars were and expected to only use it around town, but was surprised at how peppy it was and wondered what people were talking about. I think it had more power than some of these newer 4-cylinder rental cars that can barely pass another car in time to avoid a head-on collision.
Maybe it's just that I'm not afraid to put my foot to the floor and run the engine hard? I'm still trying to figure out why the diesels I've owned seem so much faster than everyone else's.
Think of it this way: daily driving a vintage car is cheaper than owning a new car as a daily driver AND maintaining a vintage car at the same time.
seeing Rolls Royce Silver Shadow going for this low of price makes me feel a whole lot better about my W116
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/rolls-royce/silver-shadow/1967672.html?refer=news
I've seen quite a few dirt cheap Rolls-Royces in my area in decent condition. I could have bought a 1985 Bentley Mulsanne in driving condition for less than $1,000. In fact, the seller even suggested to me that if it didn't sell by the end of the day, they'd let it go for the $40 in gas it cost them to drive it to the swap meet.
However, I think Rolls products are a different ballgame than Mercedes. While they appear to be extremely nice cars, I get the impression that they are not at all economical to upkeep as a daily driver. I hear there are many special expensive tools necessary and that some surfaces need to be precision machined because they do not use gaskets. They are probably money pits compared to our W116s despite the values being not far off.
A car like that could only make some sense if one were to live in the UK, or some other High-density Rolls country. God forbid you are relying on official parts supply..
The electronics are also known to be a mind-boggling quagmire. Magic carpet suspension mysteries are not for the weak of heart either.
And, if you pull it all off affordingly, finding yourself behind the wheel of one of these, in the wrong country, could make you look like a dick first class.
I would be one of those suckers though, if they'd let me, haha!
BTW.. that Hemmings Rolls might end up selling for 5000 bucks in the end