I need a Mercedes expert! 300SDL value...

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

People come to me to buy/sell all kinds of cars. Which is fine, it supports my hobby, because I charge a small fee.

This forum was very helpful to me when I sold a 1931 Ford Model A for an elderly gent. Well, the same guy now has decided he shouldn't drive again (age, strokes) and is going to ask me to help sell his Mercedes.

Here are the specs: Black/black 1987 300SDL turbo diesel sedan. One owner. No accidents or dings since new. 42,714 miles. Presents as new except for chrome deterioration on the wheels.

I see similar cars with over 180K miles for asking prices around $7500. I think the low miles should add 50-60% to that, but I'm just guessing.

Anyone with serious knowledge of this model/market?

1990C4S · 03-14-2013, 08:26 AM

That seems very high to me....very high.

vonsmog · 03-14-2013, 10:01 AM

Condition is everything, like any car. The motor in these cars are good for 500k with no problem if maintained. If left to sit and not maintained the car might be worth a few grand at best. I picked up two 300 diesels last summer, one I paid $4500 for and the other $500. The one I paid $4500 had twice the mileage on it. Out west they bring more than here, so if condition is good you should be able to get close to $9-10k.

Jferr006 · Jferr006's Garage

Way high.

We had an 84' turbo diesel with 70k miles. We bought it from the original owner for 2k and hardly got $2k out of it in wonderful condition.

Laneco · 03-14-2013, 10:45 AM

84 is the older body style though...

For an 87 with low miles, I think the market will bear quite a bit more than $7,500. Much as I hate ebay prices, there are two 87's on there now. One with more miles than this for $11,000 and one with low miles for much, much more (a dream figure in my opinion).

I think bouncing around in the Mercedes forums will help you price this well.

angela

Chocaholic · 03-14-2013, 10:50 AM

Sounds high for a MB sedan. Mileage is helpful but age attacks all rubber bits...which comprise much of the suspension (subframe, flex discs, mounts, bushings, etc). The problem is that seemingly simple parts can cost more than the car is worth, hence the depressed value.

nota · 01:30 PM

does that 87 have air bag [s] and ABS

I have an 83 that I paid 800 for [but tank was full of bugs]
but that was less then the head costs used 1500

values are all over the place on S class 5's
the newer diesel 6 was a bad motor so that helps the 5's
minus is they rust I donot know when M-B got to use zink
I can see those as rising value cult cars

it mite be a bit soon for 10 K
but that motor will still start and run
when they get to that value
and may keep on rising way past 10 K too long term

btw they are eazy to veg oil
and all the S body and other bits fit
and junk yard are full of older S gas cars

I would guess auction 4-5 private sale 6-7 dealer may try to get near 10 now
for low miles no rust good rubber paint ect

miami prices

nota · 03-14-2013, 01:29 PM

get a bottle of bug killer in the tank asap

fingpilot · 03-14-2013, 03:14 PM

In my MB days, I had quite a few of this body style. I seem to remember that the SDL's had a problem with a 'thermactor type' of exhaust recirc that ended up burning up the motor. You need a MB guy to explain it, but as I remember the SDL's were to be avoided if possible. YMMV.

flskala · 03-14-2013, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingpilot

In my MB days, I had quite a few of this body style. I seem to remember that the SDL's had a problem with a 'thermactor type' of exhaust recirc that ended up burning up the motor. You need a MB guy to explain it, but as I remember the SDL's were to be avoided if possible. YMMV.

^^^^this^^^^

wasn't it called the trap oxidizer...? Huge problem back in the day. I wouldn't touch one with a 50' pole unless 'the retrofit' was done.

fingpilot · 03-14-2013, 04:43 PM

That's it.

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

Great input guys. I doubt the guy knows what he's had done to the car (he has severe memory gaps) but perhaps there's a file of receipts.

speeder · 03-14-2013, 06:58 PM

TW, I'd love to see that car if it's local. I've owned that exact model, (sold it about a year ago), they are really nice cars if it's a good one. The problem is that most are not good ones. Mine had the updated cylinder head, (#22 casting), most likely changed by the dealer long ago because of trap oxidiser failure leading to engine damage. It was a common problem on the OM603 engine.

I have a pretty serious MB diesel addiction. I even have an extra OM603 engine complete but I'm probably selling the short block this week. This is my 1980 wagon on eBay right now, I need to thin the herd:

Mercedes-Benz : 300-Series Base Wagon 4-Door in Mercedes-Benz | eBay Motors

I'll send you a PM, I might be interested in the car but I can definitely give you some input either way. There are many, many long threads concerning that engine on the big MB boards. I like them a lot.