Help - Need to buy my first Pagoda

[steve usa]

Hi,
I am a new member that is looking to buy my first Pagoda. I am looking on the net and asking as many questions as I know to ask. Would some of you guys and gal that know what you are doing give me some help. Need a place to start. I have looked for a few weeks and found this one on E Bay It is Item #160137727954 on EBay.It's a 71 with 33,000 miles with a cosmetic restore only. What do you think about the price do you know anything about the dealer in ST. Luis.

Thanks
Steve USA



HSS

[Kenneth Gear]

It is not possible to judge a car by pics alone.  So be sure to have it inspected by someone who knows these cars.

As for that dealer, he always has 113's for sale but his reputation is suspect from what I have read over the years in this forum so be careful.

Personally, I would bend over backwards to try to find a car from an enthusiast owner rather than a dealer.  You'll typically get a better price and be able to ask critical questions from someone who has actually driven, owned and managed the car's maintenance.  There are a few dealers out there that seem to have good reputations but the one selling this car is not one of them.

I would also not be as concerned with it having ultra low miles.  First, as is the as with the car in question, I am highly skeptical that it or any other 40 year old car has been driven less than 1,000 miles per year since new.  Such examples do exist buy it's really rare.  More importantly, these cars are meant to be driven and having so few miles may not be a good thing in the long run.

Welcome to the forum and take your time looking.  I would suggest that you go look at a few cars before bringing your check book so you can compare several before buying.  Also, if you are near OH in two weeks come to Blacklick and talk with lots of owners and see lots of 113's, hear the storiews (good and bad) and learn a lot -- that's what I plan to do!

Best of Luck!

Ken G
1971 280 SL Silver/red
1969 BMW 2800 (sedan)

[sjiatrou]

Steve:

I bought my first Pagoda last December and here's what I learned on the way.  Take some time to determine exactly which model you're looking for (230sl, 250sl, 280sl), transmission type (auto or manual), color combinations, hardtop/softtop or both, etc. I found that knowing what I wanted really narrowed my search.  Then I would take some time and learn how much some of the replacement parts cost or how difficult they are to acquire.  In my early searching I came across a few cars that looked ok but they had missing or broken parts that looked innocent at the time but when I checked on the availability of such simple things as ashtrays and heater controllers I realized these particular cars might be nightmares to bring up to speed.  Maybe pick up a few books on the Pagoda and get to know what options came with each year so you know what's been modified or changed on any vehicle you inspect.

For me, I wanted the first model year (63 or 64 230l).  I was willing to compromise on transmission and color but I knew that I wanted an early model with very few (if any) modifications.  It also may sound strange but I really didn't need a hardtop so I would be happy with a roadster (living in California I would never need the hardtop and I didn't want the burden of having to store the thing)

I found mine by contacting some restorers, classic/vintage car dealers, and import mechanics and letting them know what I was looking for (basic networking!)  This ensured that the car would be local and that I was getting a referral from a reputable business person.

I hope this helps.  

(bottom line:  I wouldn't be too quick to jump on one that might look good but end up being a maintenance or restoration nightmare, there are still plenty of good looking Pagodas around!)

Steve

Steve Iatrou
Seaside, CA
1964 230sl roadster
White (050)/Black (116)

[jameshoward]

Steve,

Use the search funtion on the site to help you with questions.

This link might be helpful - it sort of documents my experiences. I bought without inspecting and regret it, although given my limited budget I think I could not have hoped for more. 8 months later and it's driven less than 200 miles, but they are robust and we're getting there.

http://index.php?topic=6271

Search for 'TUV' and you'll see the work I've had to do to date. (And I've been tardy with updates).

JH

[Shvegel]

From the pictures I would be concerned that it might be a color change. The paint on the dash closeup is not up to Mercedes standard.

Other than John Lennons' 113 the price is top dollar. If you are serious about this car I would find someone like Pete Lester who was or is a MBCA judge on the 113 and fly him in to look it over.

Beware of the phrase "full refund if not as represented" It could end up with "I never said it wasn't rolled over"

The car has been up for a while so you have time to act.

Usually the phrase "Showing 33,000 miles" means they have no provenance.

[Shvegel]

Definetly a repaint. You'll notice the inner fenders have been sprayed flat black(they should be body colored).

[Douglas]

I agree with the sense of what others have posted here. I'd also like to add that it's annoying to see any seller that claims outrageously miniscule mileage, then backs off in the fine print by saying mileage can't be verified.

You can't have it both ways. This kind of sleazy sales tactic should raise a huge flag about the seller and, by extension, the vehicle in question.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by steve usa

Hi,
I am a new member that is looking to buy my first Pagoda. I am looking on the net and asking as many questions as I know to ask. Would some of you guys and gal that know what you are doing give me some help. Need a place to start.

Steve,

Need a place to start?  Start at Blacklick, OH at the end of this month (see Events forum).  You'll learn all you need to know to find the right Pagoda for you - and make a lot of friends!

You're on the East Coast, so you could probably follow someone or even catch a ride, schedules permitting.

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

[Rolf]

Putting in my two cents. I get a kick when the seller puts "Carfax Check". Carfax can only check VIN numbers from 1981 on up. At least to my knowledge. These cars have only 14 numbers, not the required 17. You can call Mercedes Classics for a Data Card, if you have the VIN number. That way you can get much needed info on the car.

Rolf
1966 230SL Auto
1992 300D
1991 FLHS

[Shvegel]

I second the idea of a trip to Blacklick. Ther will be more information there than you will ever find anywhere else. Not to mention a bunch of cars to look at.

[rob walker]

The dash not being up to MB standard I think is an understatement, that is one appalling paint job [:0]

Rob Walker
1968 280SL papyrus white/green leather
Spain and Turkey

[Sigman]

Steve,

I recently purchased a low mileage '69 280SL.  Fortunately I lucked out.  The car was owned by an 85 year old man who babied the car.  56K miles were fully documented with service receipts including 30K from the maintenance booklet.  Don't focus too much on the mileage but the overall condition of the car.  If you're interested in a specific car, hire a W113 mechanic to evaluate the car.  I had ton of guidance from John Olson though.  

I'm still a newbie but I do a ton of due diligence in any major purchase.  

Michael

--------
1969 280SL 4-spd
1986 560SL
1989 Toyota FJ62
2003 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro