W113s are quite old now and many think they can get away with selling turds for a fortune. Some cars get stuck for months as a result.
That sells for £200k if mint. A pagoda at this level is bonkers. Unless a very special and recognised variant of course.
There are, and have been, a number of Pagodas selling for that 200K price. They are indeed special. But that high end brings up all kinds. Are you prepared to spend that kind of money on an exceptional vehicle?
What has happened, and is happening here in the market for Pagodas is pretty clear. Prices are rising drastically. The good cars, and great cars are selling for amounts that many people don't want to pay. The people that ARE paying for them are not you or me, or many members here--it's a whole new class of owners. Commensurate with the price rise, is that a lot of mediocre (turds as you say) are coming to market.
The Hagerty price guides, and the SL Market letter price guides are indicative of pretty recent (within the past year)
sales. Exceptional cars are
selling (not listed mind you, but selling) for exceptional money. Also take a look here:
http://www.motoringinvestments.com/MainPage.htm and look at the Mercedes page; there are listings for sold cars, as well as "For Sale". While many I know look at Mr. Peters offerings and suggest they are way too high,
while they are saying that others come in and buy them. Also, take a look at Hyman
http://hymanltd.com/view/inventory/?term=Mercedes-Benz&taxonomy=makes&term_taxonomy_id=26&term_id=23 and also contact Tony Labella (Tony LaBella Classic Cars), and Roy Spencer (Mercedes Heritage) and John Olson (SL Market Letter)
The cars are there. These were US Broker/Dealers, I'm sure the same exists in Europe...but one thing remains the same. High prices.