can someone give me a value on my 280sl?

[chytaan]

Hello:

Great site by the way.

As you can tell from my post, i am new to the w113 community, and would appreciate if someone can give me an average estimate of how much they think my car is worth.  I am not asking you how much you will pay for a car like that, but rather what is the best value for it?

Here it the info:

-1969 280SL
-European Model
-Silver on navy
-cold A/C and power steering.
-soft top and hard top.
-4 speed manual
-9500 miles (not sure if it is original mileage)
-seems to have original interior-
-Paint is shinny and glossy with NO RUST
-Authentic Nardi wood steering wheel
-Stainless steel exhaust.
_No leaks or any serious mechanical problems that i am aware of, always starts right up.

-$4000 in recent service including : lubrication services, bushings, seals, valves, plugs, belts, hoses, exhaust system, etc..

I live near Madison Wisconsin, and if any forum member that is near or knows an appraisal shop, i can drive the car there, for a visual inspection.

Thank you all in advance.

[66andBlue]

Hello chytaan,
welcome to the forum.  Looks like you have a nice car - with perhaps an incorrect radio. [:0]
You might want to read a recent market analysis on Pagodas by Roy Spencer: http://www.oursl.com/NewsLetter/NL0702/SLMarket.htm
and if you have more questions then give him a call.

Or for the ultimate,  ask John Olson up in Minneapolis to give you an appraisal: http://slmarket.com/frame.htm

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[chytaan]

Alfred:

Thank you much for the links and advice.  I can always try to do market analysis and compare similar cars on ebay, classifieds, online and try to determine a relative value.  The problematic issue, is that it still doesnt give you an accurate value, and gives more of an average value which in some cases can be +/- $10k ! So my option is to have it visually inspected by someone who knows their values.

[Shvegel]

Keep in mind that when cars are imported from Europe the speedometer
needs to be changed from a Kilometer per hour unit to a mile per hour unit.

I see so many people get tripped up on "Low Mileage" European cars.

There should be a sticker on the driver's door jamb that lists Kilometers before conversion. Don't be suprised if it isn't there It's fairly common that it has been removed.

[chytaan]

Mine is already in Miles/hour  

[66andBlue]

quote:Originally posted by chytaan

Mine is already in Miles/hour  

So how high was the km reading when the speedometer was swapped, 100K, 200K, 300K or higher??
Got any records?

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by chytaan

Alfred:

Thank you much for the links and advice.  I can always try to do market analysis and compare similar cars on ebay, classifieds, online and try to determine a relative value.

The SL Market Letter and Roy at OurSL can tell you how much the cars are SELLING for, which is much different than what people on eBay are ASKING for the cars.  The value is the selling price and these are two great sources for that.

Keep in mind that actual value can't be determined over the internet with pictures.  Onc must inspect the car personally to know it's quality, rust condition, and more.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[66andBlue]

Rodd,
the car is now listed on ebay for $34,900.

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[rwmastel]

And in our For Sale section.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[Chad]

It does look like a nice car.  My suspicion is that an inspection would probably reveal it to be everything you say it is.  Good luck with your auction.

BTW, it looks like we have an example here of a Euro-model that has been converted over (maybe required) to have the US headlights, sidemarkers etc.  Swimming against the current it seems in the present day.

1967 230SL