Highest Odometer Reading?

[Alex D]

I know we are all interested in the Pagodas with low mileage/km.  Does anyone know the highest mileage/km Pagoda on a original factory engine that has not been rebuild or had a major overhaul? 

[Jonny B]

I am at 140000 miles, but I think that is way too little. I spoke with an original owner of a 230 SL at the European event, and she indicated she had not had the engine apart, and that it had at least spun the odometer twice, so 230,000 KM + (so she has me beat by a little, but I did not get the exact mileage from her car).

[ghenne]

Mine has 246,000 km, but the engine was redone at 170,000. One of the pistons fell apart - the biggest piece left was the size of a walnut.

[Cees Klumper]

Because the odometers don't go over 99,999 and many cars' maintenance records went missing, I don't think we can ever know what the highest-mileage Pagoda is. I know I don't have a clue about my car's. I do know I added 70,000 kms on it over the past 15 years.

[114015]

Yes Alex,

This is (... commonly...) known.
It is the late 1963 230 SL owned by the late Paul Eppel and his wife Ilse.

This one-owner car has collected 1,200,00 kms which is equal to 745,800 miles. First engine (M127II), never opened, never overhauled.
The original miles are fully dealership-documented !! All inspections performed, very few spare parts exchanged throughout the car's life.

When Paul passed away a few years ago his wife (being in the late 80ies as well) sold the car off.

I think the car is still on sale, but I am not sure...
Yes, it is. Please see Joachim Stickel's homepage:

http://www.pagoden-center.de/

select language, select showroom. It's the silver 230 SL 4-Gang (= 4 speed).
Enjoy!


Achim
(parts collector)

[Jonny B]

Most interesting, and presents another point in the ongoing discussion(s) about originality vs restoration. What do you do with a car like this?? At 1200000 km, wow! But it is quite tatty on the interior and engine.

The listing has "price on asking" - do you know what the range is??

[Garry]

Jonny Achim,

That would be a real dilemma on whether to restore or leave as is given the documented milage and one owner.  It is a problem that I dont think I would like to make a call on one way or the other.  Given that it is one owner and was always correctly serviced it seems odd and a shame that they did not keep the whole car correctly  up to scratch and not just the mechanicals.

[floatinghat]

I know of one locally that has about 6 times my cars mileage (62k).

It's very rough but seams to run well, however I wouldn't want the restoration bill.

[Peter van Es]

Given that it is one owner and was always correctly serviced it seems odd and a shame that they did not keep the whole car correctly  up to scratch and not just the mechanicals.

I can think of a few reasons: they probably started using the car in earnest when it was brand-new and a long way from collectible. Then they just kept using it. Once they picked up a few dings, the cared less about those. Went skiing with it in winter.

If you've always really used it, it's hard to then see it as a car that increases in value. If they were not in touch with the Pagoda scene (and why would they, they were just driving a reliable car) they probably wouldn't even know of the value of a well restored car.

And then there's the money: they might not be able to or want to afford a proper restoration; keeping it running is cheaper.

And finally, they might have considered that actually restoring it might reduce their enjoyment of the car: they'd then be afraid to use it the way they enjoyed using it.

Those last two points are what separate my well-running but mediocre car from a full restoration. Would you see me rallying it afterwards?

Peter