W116 280SEL in the shire

[c107]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/172686705366?ul_noapp=true

Looks ok from the price so far.

 

[BenzBoy]

"Manufacturer: Audi "
OOPS!
Some rust in the bottom of the doors would concern me.
Mileage?
Regards,
Brian

 

[260ebenz]

280SEL has been in an storage container for the last 5 years long time between oil changes?


Looking at the odometer the car has 467,878kms on the clock.


Interior does look tidy a shame the car has no sunroof but that's just me would not buy a Benz without a sunroof.

 

[Styria]

It's just a tiny bit rough around the edges but, by golly, it is in quite lovely condition. The 280SEL model is indeed quite rare, and I believe they were all fitted with leather upholstery and the rear headrests. As I said, it's nice and even the leather is in remarkable condition.

If we are talking Mercedes, and of some fifteen to thirty five years in age, has anyone ever noticed the "cramped" marketing conditions that are experienced by most cars encompassed within that vintage. If one examines other Mercedes on offer on the same page as this 280SEL, have a look at the 1992 300 S- Class - presently, the bid is up to about $1500.00 - I mean, it is an absolute travesty of justice to see "nothing but the best" languishing in those price brackets. What is the problem ? Anyone care to elaborate. Regards Styria

 

[c107]

It's just a tiny bit rough around the edges but, by golly, it is in quite lovely condition. The 280SEL model is indeed quite rare, and I believe they were all fitted with leather upholstery and the rear headrests. As I said, it's nice and even the leather is in remarkable condition.

If we are talking Mercedes, and of some fifteen to thirty five years in age, has anyone ever noticed the "cramped" marketing conditions that are experienced by most cars encompassed within that vintage. If one examines other Mercedes on offer on the same page as this 280SEL, have a look at the 1992 300 S- Class - presently, the bid is up to about $1500.00 - I mean, it is an absolute travesty of justice to see "nothing but the best" languishing in those price brackets. What is the problem ? Anyone care to elaborate. Regards Styria

I think the trouble is that few people want a 30 year old four door Mercedes. Its another thing with a pretty toy like a Pagoda, or even a 107SL, but there are still more cars than people who want them.

The 90s models I think have a different concern that people have genuine concerns over running costs. And the W140 embodies those concerns like no other model. Not only that but the models with styling of that era just look old, not classic yet like the cars with chrome. I'm talking here about models such as the 201, 124, 129, 140, 202

 

[Michel]

I think the W140 and for that matter the R129 lost it in styling for M-B.
The newer models W220, W210, R230, W208 and further were much prettier and attractive.
But then again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

 

[BenzBoy]

I know we are getting of track here; in my view the 140 is such a stylish car.
I have often looked at clean examples for sale and then pinched myself back into reality....
Regards,
Brian

 

[Oversize]

The W116 was on the cusp between classic and plastic and the W126 was the last of the truly 'repairable' Benzes. After that time you need specialist electrical diagnostic equipment, which is far beyond most hobby mechanics and petrolheads. I think their value will eventually increase, but the newer cars will plummet to scrap value only. Unfortunately the W201 and W124 were clearly built to a price bracket and not overly collectable unless they're top-of-the-line models.

Of course the value of our beloved cars is not helped by the younger generations with their sense of entitlement and want-it-now attitude. They're seemingly not interested in older cars with repairs and maintenance requirements, which leads to poor market value for the next few years.

 

[c107]

Interestingly the 280SEL went for $3750ish, more than I would have paid for it.

I'm not sure if its exactly attitude with young people but marketing.

The car companies are great at marketing, and they have basically convinced joe public that they need to purchase a new car every 3-4 years or the old one will leave them stranded, and cost a fortune to maintain. They also feel they will be ripped off on maintenance by the dealers.

I may have told this story before but my wife has a friend who had a toyota that was about 5 years old. Owned since new. Started to have an issue with the brakes. So she traded it in for a new car as she thought it was now unsafe. Never took it to a mechanic. And she's not rich.