Author Topic: Pagoda Valuation Experts  (Read 1733 times)

cjpoulos

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Pagoda Valuation Experts
« on: January 14, 2025, 16:14:41 »
Hey! I’ve have a 1969 280sl with 14,800 miles. The car was purchased in Germany and shipped to the states when new. I am the second owner. Although the car is very clean (rust free, original mechanical components, etc.) it was repainted in 1970, and has aftermarket wheels. The car has every price of original documentation, including all pamphlets, engine bay tags, service/shipping records, vynil book pouch, etc. Could anyone who’s confident in their evaluation skills send me a direct message and we can chat in a bit more detail about the car? I’m not particularly looking to sell, but more-so curious about what the vehicle is worth given the circumstances. I can send pictures through messages if anyone’s interested.

I know it’s difficult to come up with a ballpark estimate without seeing the car in person, but any input is appreciated.

Thanks!

roymil

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Re: Pagoda Valuation Experts
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2025, 17:45:28 »
You can always look at BoT table for last 10 years auction results and find some cars in similar condition to get some idea of value.
https://bringatrailer.com/mercedes-benz/w113/
Mark Miller
1968 280SL
Rode in his pagoda's first mile.

Peter

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Re: Pagoda Valuation Experts
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2025, 18:40:42 »
Value development in €.
Estimate the "Zustand" of your car and you know the value.
I assume it’s the European market only, where prices are higher than in USA.

MikeSimon

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Re: Pagoda Valuation Experts
« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2025, 21:48:58 »
One major issue that pops out right away is, if it is a 1969, why was it repainted in 1970? Accident? That needs to be addressed before any value estimate can be made.
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

Paul99

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  • 230 SL White. 1966.
Re: Pagoda Valuation Experts
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2025, 09:06:18 »
Interesting about valuations. Here in the UK many "non daily/classic/quality" cars are plummeting in value. I've noticed pagodas have dropped around 40% to 50% in the last 2-3 years.  They were silly high before but with the UK government saying the answer is ELECTRIC only, (all new petrol and diesel car sales are to be banned in 4 years time in the UK) and road tax going much higher, (although the pagodas are exempt) and the uk in a bit of a recession its very much a buyers market now here in the UK. The auction prices have dropped dramatically.

H. Keith Henry

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Re: Pagoda Valuation Experts
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2025, 21:07:50 »
The quoted mileage is suspect. However, if 14K miles can be proven that could add to the value.
1970 280 SL, auto, US spec, 050 white with burgundy interior and soft top. Originally special order, white on white on white tex. Manufacturing date May 1970
2002 Mercedes C320 wagon
1989 Honda Civic wagon
1979 MG Midget, original owner

BobH

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Re: Pagoda Valuation Experts
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2025, 21:19:44 »
This is the subject of the post, i would say very, very hard to value as it stands

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=37539.msg274380#msg274380
February 1965 230SL Automatic
UK delivered RHD
Papyrus white, blue hard top & hub caps
Blue soft top
Blue leather

zoegrlh

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Re: Pagoda Valuation Experts
« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2025, 14:37:33 »
Yes I agree, mileage suspect. I have a European Pagoda, with European speedometer, therefore the KMs of the odometer will turn back to zero more times the. US odometer. When I purchased my SL 24 years ago, it was told to me odometer rolled over twice. But since I have owned it and of course drive it. I pay no attention to the odometer turning over. So my thoughts whenever I sell it, or hand it down, will tell buyer, it’s a well take. Care of car and do get caught up in mileage. This it what the American used dealer advertise. You still don’t know, even with low mileage if the car was well taken care of. So as to value, look at everything that has been done to the car, the maintenance, and the pride of ownership, etc. when putting a value on the vehicle. I did appraisals (was certified) on classic cars at one time, gave a honest opinion ( based on current sales, auctions, condition of vehicle, maintenance needed, etc) of a Pagoda, the man I did the appraisal for did not agree with me and said he was going to sell it anyway at $30,000 more then my appraisal. He did not figure all the work that his car needed to get it to that higher price. He was hoping a uninformed buyer would come along.
Robert Hyatt
Williamsburg, VA.

W113, 1970 280SL, Red leather 242 on Silver Gray Met. 180, 4-speed stick, Euro spec, restored
R172 2012 SLK350, Black Premium leather 801 on Mars Red 590, 7-speed auto
W211, 2007 E320 Bluetec, Cashmere MB Tex 144 on Arctic White 650, 7 speed auto

cjpoulos

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Re: Pagoda Valuation Experts
« Reply #8 on: February 21, 2025, 18:30:15 »
Sorry for the very late response. I bought the car from the original owner who's a close family friend. The milage is verified with extensive service records, as well as the owners info. You can really tell how little this car was used. I would say that the car was more preserved than maintained (heated indoor storage, covered, fluids maintained).

It was painted because the original owner owned a paint and body shop, and all of his cars has custom paint. This car has never been in an accident, luckily. Mine has two tone pearl white/orange paint. The paint is in amazing condition (really nice), but obviously the aftermarket aspect lowers value.

As Bob H showed, this is the car we're working with https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=37539.msg274380#msg274380. I'm not AT ALL interested in selling the car, just curious of what the ol' girl's worth.

lagolag

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Re: Pagoda Valuation Experts
« Reply #9 on: February 21, 2025, 22:38:53 »
Isn't the Old Cars Report Price Guide around any more in US?!
The latest issue I've seen is from Nov./ Dec. 2022
230SL 1967 since July 2021
SL55 AMG 2003 since July 2008
Suzuki Cappuccino 1995 since May 2006, Sold

zoegrlh

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Re: Pagoda Valuation Experts
« Reply #10 on: February 22, 2025, 13:46:19 »
Hard to put x2 a number on it, with the paint job, wheels, and Corvette lake pipes. Most values are determined by the originality of the car, with modifications. One would have to judge the car as maybe class 3 then subtract the modifications that are not original.
Robert Hyatt
Williamsburg, VA.

W113, 1970 280SL, Red leather 242 on Silver Gray Met. 180, 4-speed stick, Euro spec, restored
R172 2012 SLK350, Black Premium leather 801 on Mars Red 590, 7-speed auto
W211, 2007 E320 Bluetec, Cashmere MB Tex 144 on Arctic White 650, 7 speed auto

Artkez

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Re: Pagoda Valuation Experts
« Reply #11 on: February 27, 2025, 06:59:08 »
I actually dig the paint job on there! very cool. it reminds me of a pagoda I spotted driving around Santa Barbara a couple of years ago that used to belong to Jane Russell