W126 280SE - what is it worth?

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-bb-

Noble
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600
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124
Location
Newcastle
-1985 280SE
-277000k's
-australian delivered - full history
-white with blue tex inside
-bundt wheels, ok tyres
-only a very small amount of superficial rust - mostly stone chips that have not been painted over on the front and the roof.
-paint and mbtex quite good
-front seat springs stuffed
-engine not smoky but a tiny bit of noise from top end
-air and cruise not working
-windows, door locks and sunroof all work
-ABS light on and ABS does not work, but the brakes are still working fine
-no evidence of water leaks inside the car
-didn't seem to have any oil leaks from what I could see looking under the car at ground level
-starts and drives well

The redbook says $3,900 - $6,000, but I usually take that with a grain of sale. The seller wants $3500.

What do you all think its worth? I think $3500 is pushing it.
 
Last edited:

Michel

The Prince of Arabia
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I have the same type of car (year/mileage almost the same).
I bought it from a wholesaler a couple of years go for $2700...

One owner country car (paint not fantastic) no rust and mechanically great.

I think the money is not far.
Unfortunately these (first generation) 126s don't bring lots of money...
 

116Benz

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Worst I have seen so far is an 82 280SE with 400k's, has decent books, champagne/ cream tex. Engine isnt bad, body is sad though seller wants 1500 for it (speedo has stopped working at 399,xxx) All the electrics work, ABS works etc etc. Best I have seen is a Cypress Green 84 in Byron Bay, nice car, tidy inside and out for 4k. Personaly I wouldnt pay more than 3 for a really good one, seeing what 300SE's are bringing as well.
 

Styria

The Godfather
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Hi bb, the lower end of the market, say $2k. to $6k. is totally cluttered with all kinds of Mercedes models, and there are many bargains to be had.

I know of one Club member who paid $4k. for a very nice 1984 - 380SE a couple of years ago, and another Club member paid $8k. for an absolutely mint looking 420SEL. So, I really think it comes back to condition, service records etc. If you take Carl 888's early Ch.116 - 280SE (?), you certainly will not buy it for less than $10k.

You're the one that has to decide. Regards Styria
 
OP
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-bb-

Noble
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Sounds like you wouldn't pay $3500 for this one, but I have not tried to bargain with the bloke yet. Dont even know if I want it... it was on the side of the road with a for sale sign as I went past.

I am only looking at something in this price range because I might need an interim car to drive around in sooner than I think. My current daily driver (Falcon) is up for sale and I am getting more bites than I expected, so it might end up selling sooner than I thought. The Merc is away for an unknown amount of time, and if the Falcon sells, I will need an interim car till I can decide what to replace the Falcon with (a bloody hard decision in itself).
 

mathew

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Wagga Wagga
$3500 is way to much for that car considering what is wrong with it etc. W126's are a funny thing a really mint one can still fetch mid 20's or even higher, generation 1 models that are tired are worth little more than a boat mooring.

Cheers Mat
 

Styria

The Godfather
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Hi bb, Mathew has summed it up pretty well - there are any number of 126's outthere - you've just got to be judicious in your quest to purchase an interim driver. On the other hand, what about a Toyota Cressida going back to early '90's - they're a pretty good car for the money and you should have no trouble on-selling one in due course.

I know it is getting right away from Benzes, but there can be alternatives just to keep you mobile. Incidentally, I have at length driven the 1988 version of the Cressida and I must admit to being very, very impressed. Lovely interior and long lasting finish, cloth seats (very comfortable), sport and economy as well as overdrive features on the automatic gearbox - hmm, not a bad car at all. The model after that was even better, I believe. Food for thought. Styria
 
OP
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-bb-

Noble
Messages
600
Points
124
Location
Newcastle
Yeah, I am looking at anything good in the price range; cant be picky when it will be a daily driver. The 126 was just on the side of the road for sale as I went past the other day.

With any luck, I am about to strike a deal with someone who wants my Falcon but cant pay the full purchase price for another month or so. If this deal goes through, I will have time to pick a proper replacement and not need an interim daily driver at all.
 

SELfor50

New Member
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There 'was' a gold 126 280SE in belconnen that i drove past about 2 months ago and was about to buy. Had 2k on it. Look'd smick AS! I'll go past that way tomorrow if i can and see if it's still at the house. Chrome wheel arch rust hiders and everything..
 
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