450SEL for $2k

[Lukas]

Seems someone got a good deal: Shannons

 

[SELfor50]

That's a f*kn bargain and a half!!

What seems like very good value. Nice write up from the shannons page too, about the reliability from just basic maintenance.

 

[TJ 450]

Good value indeed.

I notice it has the front mounted antenna as well as a rear. I would imagine it to be an early 1976 D-Jet.

Tim

 

[116Benz]

Dont get too excited, I wasnt impressed with the report that Shannons wrote up about the car, it had high 4xx,xxx km's, rust and a couple of other things that didnt sit well with me. I rekon 2k would be about it.

 

[Lukas]

Dont get too excited, I wasnt impressed with the report that Shannons wrote up about the car, it had high 4xx,xxx km's, rust and a couple of other things that didnt sit well with me. I rekon 2k would be about it.

I was wondering about the kms on it - I too thought the Shannons writeup was somewhat vague. In that case $2k does seem reasonable.

 

[Michel]

There was a beautiful Magnetite Blue 450SE (or SEL) for sale on Carsales last week for the measly sum of $2200.

It looked stunning (with minor paint blemishes) with an immaculate velour interior. The last owners had it for 18 years.
It obviously sold quickly...

 

[116Benz]

There was a beautiful Magnetite Blue 450SE (or SEL) for sale on Carsales last week for the measly sum of $2200.

It looked stunning (with minor paint blemishes) with an immaculate velour interior. The last owners had it for 18 years.
It obviously sold quickly...

Saw that one on carsales, it looked rather nice. Theres another one I'm looking at on Satuday, bout the same money, not a 450 though.

 

[Styria]

When I see some of these 450s advertised at these low prices, I can only shake my head in bewilderment and absolute disappointment. Why ? Why are some of these cars so cheap ? Does anyone have an explanation ?

I can only think that it must be :

1. The cost of spare parts and prospective purchasers are frightened.
2. The cost of servicing, and the degree to which maintenance
schedules have been maintained.
3. The wrong owners ? That could actually be included in 2).
4. What other reasons could there be.

I mean, you see some of the prices being asked for some of the most mundane, sometimes totally unattractive cars, and you really need to wonder. Anyway, maybe some of you guys may have other clues. Regards Styria

 

[116Benz]

Sometimes, they also look at them and think, just another old car, others have been told that its going to cost too much to fix, and hence they bail out for whatever they think they can get. On the rarest of rare occasions, someone has no idea and theres a real diamond out there for peanuts money.

 

[hoddo]

people are sheep
new cars are cheap

 

[KenM]

For my 2 cents worth, from the point of view of a relative Benz novice I think the uninitiated would see the pitfalls, fuel consumption, rego and insurance, maintenance and repair costs etc so the potential long term price seems high and they steer clear of these cars, perhaps fellows who have experience and facilities to work on these cars can save themselves quite a lot and tend to discount these factors, hence the prices these cars are getting seems low. Or something like that.
Cheers,
Ken

 

[Lukas]

That's a fair point - the average 2nd hand buyer is probably after low running costs for their chosen vehicle type and size - can understand why many would think a 30 year old luxo Merc doesn't fit that bill. Speaking of Carsales:

Milan Brown 450SEL - $2k2

 

[KenM]

Hi Lukas,
That car has been for sale for ever and is a good illustration, if you bought it and had to pay someone to rectify the issues needed to get it on the road it would cost way more than the purchase price, and still not add any to the vehicle's value, in that case you might as well spend $5-6k on a running vehicle and have done with it. For somebody with time and a workshop, this one might be a good project.
Cheers,
Ken

 

[Styria]

people are sheep
new cars are cheap

Well put, Hoddo ! That's all I can say. Regards Styria

 

[Styria]

I must admit that I always have concerns about cars that have spent some of their lives in England. The word 'rust' is already mentioned, so this could be quite a tricky car, not to buy, but to fix or rectify. Plus, I must say, the photos, especially of the interior, are far from clear to judge condition. Regards Styria

 

[BAR]

In my opinion older vehicles like the W116s are sold cheap (less than $3K) for several reasons.

a) Registration is expired or not about to be renewed without some cost
b) High mileage which also gets reflected in overall condition
c) Lack of tender loving care over several years results in lots of non working components

When I bought my Milan Brown car many years ago, it required a huge amount of restorative work, but I chose the vehicle because the car was

1) Originally delivered through York Motors
2) Had full log books
3) Did not have any evidence of major collision damage (absolutely straight chassis)

It needed new shocks all round, timing chains, 24 light globes, muffler, new stereo and speakers and other lesser items.

Having completed the repairs and mechaincal work for around $3,500 I have had a reliable car that has cost less than $500 per year on average. Since then I have had Styria rebuild the gearbox ($2,500 or thereabouts), replaced the starter motor and alternator ($250 each), replaced the fuel line at the fuel tank ($300) and recently had the head gasgets done and repalced the timing chain guides and front shocks and all the rubbers in the front suspension($1,500). Other things take time and patience to do at home.

I guess if one has much to do in order to bring a car up to 'tidy and reliable' condition, one must put a value on that: hence a car is worht less than $3,000.

If it's in good shape then it gets a higher value, but most buyers won't know the difference until they commit to the purchase.