What is this car worth???

[Ashman]

Please advise, I believe it is in europe, but not sure. The car is georgeous, and I would love to have it myself. Here is what I know and a pic for you...

560-sec convertible
1990 Model
Has 80000 miles

What would this car be worth in california?

Thanks,

Alon

Heres the pics

You love two doors dont you?
25k Maybe??

[-fad]

...very very handsome vehicle indeed

I guess here our US market, it would be considered a heavily customized Euro spec car....just from the pics- cabriolet, lowered suspension, custom alloys...and the market for circa late '80's or early '90's heavily customized MB cars is very limited

also, being a Euro spec car, hopefully it won't need a specialized tech to keep it healthy (or need difficult/ impossible to obtain parts)

I've observed a few Euro spec heavily modified car owners living a roller coaster of a love/hate relationship (6.3, M6, 3.0CSL,2002tii, etc.) often ending in dispair (unable to keep the car mechanically together here in the US)....they knew the risks though- - a heavily Euro customized car is a leap of faith into a Pandora's Box; accepting whatever level of engineering and custom fabrication that brought forth the finished product (available replacement parts today?)...naturally all machines have a useful life and wear out...

Not knowing any more details of the vehicle, I'd imagine it may have an upper desire-ability range of $15k-$25 max.

-fad

[longston]

After the cost of shipping it, import duty, taxes, it being tied up at the port while the papers are checked, and it's modified to meet U.S. emissions to allow entry, and finally modifications for California emissions in order to be registered...

Also, is this a stock model, or a custom coach modification? It looks real nice, but what's the real deal?

The Deutsch translation is:

"A few pictures for the first impression.Still more beautiful photos taken in the autumn"

[Ashman]

I believe the owner is going to be moving to california, not sure, and if so he will most likely be bringing it with him, and then will probably sell it.

Euro vs U.S. Really shouldn't be too different as far as parts and mechanics working on it. My mech in tarzana, CA could most likely easily repair a euro vehicle. I only see one problem, and that would be california emmisions...

Alon

[sixto]

The big problem will be federalizing the car. Although it may include nothing more than [temporarily] fitting US spec lights and bumpers, and adding side impact beams to the doors, it's quite another matter to obtain DOT approval for having done those things properly. From what I've read, the DOT has all but shut the door on gray market imports.

It might end up easier and cheaper to bring that car and a full US spec SEC to ASC and let them have at it. Then fit the US top on the Euro car and sell it south of the border

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

[Ashman]

Thanks for the input. I will e-mail him and let him know the opinions.

Alon

I'll also be working on seeing what parts my friend can get in germany for us. Perhaps he can get us some great deals on euro lights etc. Who knows. I know others have contacts for this stuff too. I figure one more can't hurt if my friend is willing to go for it.

[blaubenz_mb]

Here are some sites that you might find useful about importing cars to the US:

http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/imp-exp2/informal/car.htm
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/imptop.htm
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/

Keep in mind that Euro spec Mercedes and American Spec Benzes don’t have the same retail value…Euro spec have lower retail value—or so I’ve heard. But look at the bright side…you don’t have to worry about putting in those euro lights, would you?!