Going to sell the '87 TD, ...

[babymog]

So kind of a "what's it worth" thread, with a twist.

I've had this car for several years, around 5years ago I decided to put in an engine that I had added updates etc. to increase power (original one under the workbench, ran perfectly), at some time in the past several years I decided to update the dash, door cards, etc., etc. inside, IIRC around 4-5years ago I updated to the later hood/lights/bumpers/body cladding, ... not sure when I installed the bigger brakes and stuff, had the roof painted (deleted strips) when I did the body update but never had the doors painted, ... so many updates through the years I really can't remember. Will have a new (last one in the country I'm told) M-B windshield Friday (took months to find and have delivered to the glass place!).

However, I'm in my mid-50s, really don't spend much time bent over cleaning anymore, should take better care of her as she's taken good care of me and is such a grin to drive.

So I was at my local M-B store yesterday, did some driving, time to order a new one for the next 20years. Practicality and space dictates that I will be selling Belle, and probably anything left in spare parts and fun stuff related to Belle. However, looking at some dings and clear-coat issues on the doors, my two-color interior (black leather front seats, gray 'tex middle and rear, original fronts still around but I wanted black leather), aging door rubber, central locks have a leak (RR door I believe), ... engine has an oil leak somewhere that fills the belly pan with enough to drip when it's parked. I don't know if I should spend the time and money to have it all fixed or if it's better just to sell it as-is.

So what are these cars bringing these days? Is it $3500 for a nice one, regardless of updates and magic oils? Or is it $7500 for a nice one and it's worth putting maybe $1000 or so in it to make it "stand tall"? I know that ebay occasionally has an albatross that seems to set a new high-water mark, but that's perfection beyond my current desires. What are REAL cars selling for?

Thanks for opinions, especially those who have bought or sold something comparable.

[dude99]

The miss matched interior is probably whats going to hurt the price the most here.... But if you were't so bloody far from me and put it up for sale for $3500, I'd probably buy it in about a second....

Based on what you've said, I'd list it for $4500 and go from there... but keep in mind thats based on the market around me. Your mileage may very....

[vstech]

On THIS forum, knowing what you know and how you treat your cars, any member here looking for a 124 Wagon would snap it up at any price... black leather fronts, I'd dye the rears to match, cards too, and offer it up for 6K... and hold out for all the tire kickers to leave... the problem will be finding someone wanting it that's not on this forum.

Pictures are the best way of course.

I'd offer it on here for 7500 and see if anyone needs one bad enough. Then put it on ebay with a buy it now of 15K and let bidding start at 8K and see how high it will go.

[babymog]

I like your methods John, ... not sure it's that nice though.

I have the original front seats, but already changed the dash, door cards, carpet, header and door pillars, window trims, ... would much prefer to finish the job but who knows. I think I was the first to suggest dying on this forum, have done it in a few of our motorcoaches in the past with great results, that was the plan. Anymore I don't drive it much, don't spend any time detailing, when it's nice out then it is my Wife's opinion that it is boating weather.

Then I have to figure out what to do with the original engine and transmission, the spare 603.971 and transmission, extra seats, electronics, extra set of zebrano (front to rear), etc. etc. that I have stockpiled whenever I found it over the past decades.

I need someone to come with a pickup and trailer for the car and all of the stuff so that my garage doesn't continue to look like yours.

Wives just don't seem to feel that this "cool stuff" is worth the space and time it occupies. I get it, if I get a new Mercedes then she gets something in trade, a clean garage. She also wants me to sell the skid-steer but hasn't thrown that in the deal so I'm thinking I might be getting off easy! That is the last diesel I own (and I love diesel). What would I do with these yellow fuel cans?

Fortunately (I guess), the dealer tells me that ordering a new '17 will take around three months, which gives me a little time to think about it or find her a new home. Life is complicated.

[jt20]

this is a pivotal moment for this forum.


I hope everyone recognizes this.

Hopefully, you'll continue to stop by and drop knowledge about those Benzes 'when cars were still good'.

This is one of those rare instances where selling on this forum actually MAKES sense! Regardless of aesthetics, someone will find a way to appreciate it.

For me, it would be about finding the right individual - from there, price is incredibly flexible.

You will never return on this investment, so try to keep your heirloom healthy.

[Junkman]

I would fix it were I you. I'm older and have a young son. We have his Grand Pa's SD bought new in 85. I have 2 years to get it into good shape and can use the money that we would have spent buying him a car. What a deal!! I'll just keep it if he doesn't show the obligatory appreciation.

If not fixing it, you could just let it go and be done. I have a hard time letting go & have not only kept a rusty 75 MGB, smashed 78 Datsun Z parts car, another partially converted to convertible 78 Z, 83 turbo Z, 85SD parts car, I kept the entire house and 60 acres of woods that I don't have time to enjoy.

There was a time when everything I owned would fit in my pockets & I'd hitch hike cross country with friends for fun. That was freedom and we lived. Perhaps $3500 & be done - or fix it - tough decision.

[biopete]

I sold mine for 4000 to the right guy about three years ago. I had about 6500 cash in it plus my labor to replace tranny ,veg system , ball joints control arms , suspension , etc. yours is a lot nicer than mine was I'm sure. Mine is still running for him and he's happy in it. Good luck. The next guy always does better than we do and gets to reap the benefits of our investment of time and money.

[jt20]

oh. I didn't answer the question.


Without even seeing the interior - its an easy $5k to me. I don't care about panels and skins matching as long as each one is nice. (but it does affect price)

Then theres all those parts! $5k + value of the parts and how far into the future they could carry this car in good shape. And a spare engine? -over $6200 for the lot.

without blinking.

[Junkman]

jt, sounds like you need to drive to IN. I'd even consider delivering for a significant nonrefundable down payment.

[babymog]

New windshield went in today, "last one in the country", Mercedes star on it, even came with a new Daimler sticker. Took months to find it, months more to receive it and get it installed. These cars are (or can be) a labor of love, kind of like a good dog: loyal and loving when you give them attention. While in there, lubed the blower (replaced several years back), am now looking at what it takes to disassemble and lube the (updated) wiper assembly, ...

It's still fun, but I'm starting to realize that I just don't have the time and energy anymore.

Honestly, it's a lot easier when you don't love your car. My business car has been a Tahoe, an appliance with wheels that gets it done. The replacement will be a Mercedes SUV (GASP!!), which will be more transportation than passion I'm afraid. On the other hand, when the windshield gets a chip, I won't be crying over how hard I worked to get a new OE windshield, ... I'll probably just call SafeLite and have them install glass.

I have some time, don't need to let her go until the new one arrives, will be able to say goodbye to my old friend. When the time does come, I'll list as many things as I can remember replacing/updating/etc., and pictures, put it on this site and see how it goes. I'm sure it'll be picked apart a bit, it's not perfect, goes with the territory. Hopefully in the end though, someone will love what I've done, and Belle will spend many more years out in the sunshine.

Thanks for the price estimates, gives me an idea, and all depends on how hard I want to work at getting another dollar. The sad part is that the low estimate, where possibly realistic, is about what it'd cost for a new #22 head and the new Michelins. Even on the high side, ... not much return on investment.

Maybe I'll sell it with a contract that doesn't allow the buyer to part it, ...

[Junkman]

Originally Posted by babymog

Maybe I'll sell it with a contract that doesn't allow the buyer to part it, ...

Nice thought but it's not yours once the check clears.

I don't use dollars to justify my old cars and generally keep fixing expecting that they keep driving and (sometime - (hopefully) before I'm dead) they will be in the condition I want.

[Shortsguy1]

Jeff-
I would assume that anyone who chooses to buy your car will care alot for these sorts of cars. I really doubt that anyone would buy a w124 MB for $4-7K and part it out any time soon.

Around me, the nice 87 TDs seem to get listed on CL for around 5K. They don't seem to sell fast as the ads get reposted many times. The less nice TDs (like mine, with a little rust) seem to list at around 3K, and sell pretty quickly. I think the typical owner of these cars is a little cheap, so it is harder to find a buyer for a more premium example.

Best of luck with your sale.

[babymog]

"Nice" is relative. Mine was nicer, now it's rarely clean. I've driven it a lot in the last week +, want to see what needs attention, plan to drive it to Cleveland on Monday, a good long drive will tell me more. Looks like the A/C died over the winter, ... so that's another strike against her.

From what I'm reading, most likely I will need to settle for the $3k-$4k range for the car, hope I find it an owner with the energy and enthusiasm for the car that I used to have, and hopefully I'll find someone close enough to "buy" the spare-part pile.

Not terrible, I've had a lot of great miles, and even though I can look at how much it would cost to do it again and there's no way to justify that, the cost per smile has been pretty fair.

And I just might keep one of the engines, you never know what I might find out there that really needs to become Mercedes Diesel powered.