1966 MERCEDES BENZ 230 SL- $34600

[rmmchl]

the problem is the guy lied about the car to potential buyers-sure , it's a good car----but $34,000 good???----------remember he lied about the carpet, paint, originality,etc------------he talked like it was found sheltered in some garage like factory fresh.

[Ulf]

A little toughness is required when it comes to providing the right ammunition for negotiating the price - dealers do the exact same thing. When I had my Triumph TR6 for sale, a professional dealer tried to squeeze me down by pointing out that a few things on my car was non-standard, but luckily I knew a lot more about TRs than he did and proved him wrong. So there is nothing wrong in pointing out a few faults and errors for the sake of the negotiation - and then decide later whether it is something that needs correcting or not. When I bought my 230 SL, one of my major bargaining points were the headrests that were added in the early 80's and the ungainly chrome wire wheels - both are still on the car 3 years after btw but knocked USD 3000 off the asking price :-)

Ulf

PS: No worries, steel rims have been bought and refurbished - they are just not on the car yet

[ericlee]

pics.

[ericlee]

sending more pics

[jafetica888]

Check out this one: Link to own for sale posting removed

[ericlee]

got more pics from underside.

[badali]

The car looks really clean underneath. I noticed in one of the pictures it has the original seat belt mounts in the floor identical to my 66.  I would say it has had no previous rust in the floor pans.  If the rest of the car is that good and in good mechanical condition you should consider it.  On ebay he started at $29000.  You could work from there.

[J. Huber]

Underbelly looks pretty decent to me. I'd want a hands on inspection just to poke around up close.

As far this site being a tough crowd -- I couldn't give mine away if I tried to sell it here! Really. And a case can be made that even"less desirable" Pagodas can be enjoyed...

But I think the idea here is just don't get blindsided by some surprise that makes you want to throw up. 34 is a little on the higher side of the "all Pagodas are going up" mentality. Mid 20s maybe but for 34, you gotta get something closer to "nice." This could be there -- just need to have a close look. And take it for spin -- mechanicals are just as important as looks. Good luck.

[ericlee]

The pic below shows the fuel pump does not have a casing, I see fuel pumps on all other cars are insdie a casing.  is this right?
thanks!

[badali]

The fuel pump should have a metal can around it.  The new pump probably had slightly different fittings.  The can would have to be cut to still fit.  I have the can for mine but it is not installed or cut yet.

[ericlee]

This group is great, I have learned a lot by your responses.  I went to drrve the car and here is what I have found.

I believe the car had front accident before.  There are no spot welds at all under the hood.  Would paint cover them?  The gap between hood and body is uneven.  the headlight and different depth of recess into the housing.   The epoxy is not very smooth inside the front tire well, have messy Epoxy runs.

2nd problem is the bottom plate under the driver foot is not as smoth as other 3 places, suspect corrosion and then paint over.

Another issue is this car does not have P. steering.

do you think this car is worth mid 20's.


thank you all!

[Jordan]

Eric,

You should still see evidence of the spot welds even if the car has been repainted.  Did you have a look at the number on the hood to see if it matched the number on the data plate above the left front tire?  If different you know the hood has been changed and as someone else pointed out, a good chance the front end was in an accident.  The gap between hood and body doesn't look too bad and you may be able to readjust the hood if it is that important.

It is evident from your posts on this thread that you are or were pretty keen on this car.  I haven't seen it and am no expect in assessing value.  The question you have to ask yourself is how much are you willing to part with to have this car?  Is the epoxy, power steering, hood alignment, and likely accident that important to you.  If they are then you either fix them or you pass and keep looking.  At the end of the day you have to really be happy with the car once it is yours.  You don't want to look at it in 6 months or a year and regret your decision.
Good luck 
Marcus

[badali]

These things you pointed out will affect resale for you later.  Allot of cars have had repairs done.  Since you have seen it in person now look at the quality of the work and what you can live with.  Negotiate you price with the items you listed.  I spent $9000 in maintenance since I bought mine 2 years ago.  (20 + years of storage) Remember no matter what you buy it will probably need some work unless it came out of a total restoration.  Most of the ones on eBay are getting between $17000 and $24000 in driver condition.  Nice restored ones are going in the upper 20s to mid 30s.   Allot of people are asking in the 40s+ but I don't think they are selling...  That the best answer I can give you without seeing the car.

[thelews]

Pass