Hi,
I've been looking into buying an 83 or 85 turbo diesel 300D....And in general the asking prices seem to be way above blue book...I live in California. Should blue book be the Holy Grail?....For instance, I'm looking at a 85 tomorrow, he says its in great shape, 215,000 miles, and hes asking $2,750....the blue book says $1,950....Just wondering what all you smart car guys think...
Thanks,
Linda

Dear Linda:

KBB or Edmunds prices do not apply well for old Mercedes diesels, especially W123 (e.g. 240D, 300D) , W126 (e.g 300SD), etc... These cars are always in great demand. You may get them near or even lower than KBB prices if you are willing to take a risk in bidding and buying them on Ebay. Otherwise, expect a minimum of $500-1000 above KBB prices if it's a in-person private sale.

Eric

Here's a past debate:
New SD buyer- price question

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

Aren't the KBB(and others) based on what the market has paid and also takes into account the demand of the car?


Warren
1992 300SD 168K
Columbus Ohio

I agree with Eric that Blue Book values don't apply well to old Mercedes. Afterall, the book only covers vehicles less than 20 years old and the reason is that 20+ year old vehicles are considered classic and their values are too volatile to be printed in a book. So naturally some vehicles that are less than 20 but not too far from it already exhibit some of this volatility.

My 240D's KBB value is about $1000 but I bought it for $4200 because of its exceptional condition and low mileage and that's on Ebay. On the other hand, if you're the buyer you can use the Blue Book value to your advantage if the seller is desperate or doesn't know much.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Kellie Blue book claims to be a regional average of the Dealer asking prices of a car. It notes this would be a "starting point for negotiation therefore the actual sale price will vary. This Suggested Retail Value assumes that the vehicle has been fully reconditioned and has a clean title history.. The suggested Retail Value also allows for advertising, sales commisions, insurance, and other costs of doing business as a dealer. Most vehicles at this price have a warranty..."
Don't sound like anything one would expect to find with most of these old diesels. So can some one tell me just where are the dealers of a twenty year old MB at anyway, and how many are included in these mythical prices?
Sounds like car salesmans bunk to me.

Don't forget that the KBB has 3 values: retail, private party, and trade-in/wholesale. I think everyone here is talking about the private party value. However this is probably based on the retail and trade-in values which are dealer-based. At least here in Nevada, the DMV doesn't care about what you paid for a private party car so I don't see how KBB could get a hold of the selling prices on the private market.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

I'll go along with Eric. I have experience buying and selling cars. KBB is not accurate. You can test this theory by offering the KBB figure to sellers and unless you run into a desperate seller, don't be surprised if nobody accepts your offer. You need to go look at every private party car that your interested in regardless of asking price. I have sold cars for say $3500 when competing ads listed prices like $2200. The competing ad always says the car is in PRISTINE condition. Now there's a misunderstood word. When you go look at the car, the paint is peeling, there is a big rip in the headliner, and half the windows don't work. Now the owner tells you it just needs a little TLC. I love that line. Linda, the smartest thing you can do is look at everything available and choose the best value. Also be wise and spend a few dollars to have your final selection checked out professionally. Don't have your neighbor who knows a little about cars be the one who checks it.

Good luck,
Peter

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