1970 280SL w/58k miles $150k Neg

[zoegrlh]

I am trying to help sell a 1970, 280SL, for a friend. Car has 58,000 miles, new paint, huge amount of documentation. Those seriously interested let me know and I will have her send photos and the particulars directly to you. I think she is a little bit high on what she would like to get for the car, Market is a bit tough right now. Anyway if you are looking for a Pagoda that has little wear, look no further, there is wiggle room on offers.

[Clocksnstuff]

I would like additional info and photos. Thanks, Kevin
Kscanlan50@gmail.com

[jeblack123]

Good morning,

Can you send additional information to jeblack123@aol.com?

Thanks,

James

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Robert,

You do know that your post needs to include a asking price! Please refer to post above! If asking price is not included your post will be removed by the Moderator.

Dieter

[zoegrlh]

Asking price $150k, but negotiable for sure. Call Helen at 757-232-5222 for photos and lots of information. Also visit https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1zY5yJrJ3wZmugxCfyczhCyamwaage97s.

[MikeSimon]

Nice photos! Best color you can get for a W113! But they should have included a picture of the data card.

[zoegrlh]

Thanks Rolf

[Leester]

Centras give it an interesting look. 15 inch?  Lee

[teahead]

$150k?  Ya, I'm thinking about $75k too high, given that interior.

Good luck!

[Jack the Knife]

Mercedes never really made nice wheels compared to the competition...

Seconding Teahead. This is more like a 60k car.

[Jonny B]

Okay - cue the Bring-a-Trailer music:

Why no engine bay photos?

Would recommend adjusting the bottom chrome trim piece just behind the driver's side door. It stands out like a sore thumb.

[lreppond]

Engine bay photos are normally a good indication of a well cared for car and should be included.

A few authenticity improvements (radio, clock, gas cap, wheels) as well as a better presentation of the upholstery would elevate this car to the next level.  The mismatch color of convertible boot MBTex covering and the perforation of the top dash covering communicate the wrong message to potential buyers.  If the seller hopes to get top dollar for this car addressing these issues will be critical.  Most buyers have become pretty sophisticated through videos by Cascadia, Motoring Investments, etc.

[Lorsar]

There are engine bay pictures, there's  a tab at the top of the page.  I believe that the gold color is not original as the transmission plate looks like arabian gray.    Yeah,  that entire interior needs to be replaced.

[lreppond]

Thanks Lori.  The engine bay looks very clean, though I find those decals rather haphazardly placed (but I’m obsessed by minor details).   The build plate under the hood indicates the current paint color (467:Sandy beige metallic) is correct and the original color. 

If the car runs really well, I still feel some modest changes could improve the sellers chances of  getting top dollar. 

[Pinder]

I agree with Len.


 the underside, tunnel looks grey and is likely the primer.  recently I cleaned the underside of my 1970 and before I painted it it was also grey (kind of like battleship grey from Eastwood paints.) on top of that was a very thin coat or almost overspray of the original top coat color (in my case light ivory). Whatever cleaning agents I used mostly removed the top coat , leaving the grey primer. These are just my observations. It maybe different for different years. my experience and discovery of my findings on a 1970 280SL that I think is mostly original.

[Bshaunessy]

VENDOR:
  Interesting car indeed.   Interior is a little haggard…..Merle!
  You’ve been a group member for a long time, so you know that the audience here is extremely knowledgeable about these cars, but also a very limited audience size.
  Q? why don’t you list this car on BAT if it doesn’t sell via this forum?  Much wider audience.  Also BAT is pretty strict about unrealistic reserve prices ($150k seems unrealistic to me).

[Jonny B]

My bad on the engine shots.

The most egregious item is that the engine compartment is painted black! Ouch. Lots of other stuff under, but sticker shock is the big one. Holy cow there are stickers all over the place, pretty much none correct. But that is really a relatively straightforward fix.

The transmission cover plate should be painted in body color, the rest of the underside is sort of a mash up of body color - near the outer edges which would be overspray, and body schutz, sort of a hard tar like covering.

[teahead]

I say, go on the internet and search for comps for $150k cars.

You'll find that they are close to #1 condition. 

[Tom]

Not much to add other than what has already been said, but I do have some doubts about mileage.

The brake fluid reservoir is too yellowed to be a low-mileage car.  Engine heat will yellow these more than age.   Also, the firewall pad was replaced, which should not be required with a lower-mileage car. 

The engine area looks like it's seen a partial restoration, but the oil filler cap is not original.  I have an extra I would gift to the seller just to clean that up.

IMHO, this is an unremarkable car that should get an unremarkable price.  Bob, the best advice you can give your friend is to be more realistic about the price and set their expectations appropriately.  Having said this, it only takes one under-informed buyer to clear that asking price!

[MikeSimon]

Having said this, it only takes one under-informed buyer to clear that asking price!

....and BaT is full of them!

[rwmastel]

Maybe the guy with the thread in the Want to Buy forum, looking for a $35,000 car, can make an offer.

[johnk]

Gas pedal looks
Like a lot more
Than 57k miles of wear

[john.mancini]

Robert,

I would have to agree that Helen's asking price is extremely high. Yes, prices have risen, but $150K W113's are in much better condition than Helen's SL.  Just my opinion.

John

[zoegrlh]

Guys m, thanks so much for all the comments. I explained to Helen that the price is way too high, I suggested 70k “maybe”. Owner will not budge on price, I guess thinks it’s a 100 point winner. I wanted to post this FSBO to get your comments to convene owner they are way out of the ball park. I think this is a car that they are flipping. Again thanks guys. And yes I have been around the Pagodas for quite a long time and but hey owner does not want to take my expertise.

[rwmastel]

Owner will not budge on price, I guess thinks it’s a 100 point winner.

Huh, oh well.  It can be frustrating when someone asks for advice and then they don't want to accept what you say.  Usually the market does its thing and the transaction falls in/near normal price.  If you find out what it sells for, let us know.