E320 Convertable value

[Two Bags]

Advice please .... I bought my L reg 1993 model four years ago at 80,000 miles and now she's on 134,000 and driving beautifully. The two main weaknesses - the wiring loom and head gasket were both done between 110-120,000. Other than that, she's a beast but the small boot space and my wife's nagging desire for a dull car to get to our palce in the Alps with ski gear and kids means she's gotta go come spring.
So whats a car with this mileage with fsh from Keys Mercedes in Bexley worth realistically 'cos I haven't a clue. Colour is Bornite (kind of dark purple). She's not got cruise as did my Coupe but has air con and electric drivers seat with memory. Body work is very good and tires are all new for winter. I actually love the leather and heaters in winter (with the hood down). I know these cars are rare but i still expect considereable depreciation as I did with my coupe but it will not outweight four wonderful years of driving in such comfort and reliability. Leaving aside the low mileage never used time warps - whats a well used, well cared for 10,000 mile a year E320 convert w124 model going to cost today?

Your expert knowledge is appreciated.

 

[The Boss]

Hiya.. send some pics please.. im a big fan..

on 134k with full service history, if condition is good, i cant see why come next spring you wont fetch £9-£11k - is yours the facelifted model.. it sounds like it.. as i dont remember Bournite being available in pre facelift

 

[Two Bags]

Its the facelift model but the colour is unusual - a bit like marmite - you love it or hate it. Will dig out some pics for you but this winter its off to the chalet for New Year !!... Your price guide is better than I thought!

 

[Two Bags]

I forgot to mention that its a Sportline model - I think there were only about 80 produced in RHD but not sure how much difference this makes to valuation.

 

[Smiley]

Dont know where the figure of 80 came from but it is one of those myths that just aint true.
They are rare though compared with say a 3 series beemer. On the other hand there are far fewer people looking to buy one and my feeling is that all the buyers (well most of them) are all looking for a 320 sportline late model 95/96 with all the extras in azurite or blue / black with beige leather with less than 3 owners less than 70k miles and a full MBSH with a service every year. In other words there are a lot of day dreaming buyers who will wait and wait for the "right" car. A fully sorted one ticking all the above boxes is worth about £12,500 - £15,000 depending on mileage - start unticking those boxes and adding miles and take ££ off. My guess for yours is £7000 as a trade in and about £9000 tops private sale.

 

[Two Bags]

I think you speak sense Smiley.... too many owners with inflated ideas of their cars value out there but I do consider myself a realist and want the car to go to someone who will use her regualrly because there's an easy 100,000 miles still to come. I think I will stick her up for about £8k come next Spring and see what happens.

 

[Smiley]

Yes I suppose that is the other side of the coin; I think £8k is a sensible price to ask and be prepared to haggle a little bit - is it a real "minter" despite the slightly higher mileage or does it have the usual wear and tear eg to the drivers seat bolster?

 

[The Boss]

Sportline was a rarer breed of cabrio.. especially the 320 version..

I think im one of those guys with inflated prices in their head, lol, but notching towards the 10/11k mark should not be too difficult, plus, one identical, less the sportline and less the elec seats but 1 owner, i think is online around with 90k mileage for £11/£12k...

yours is less so on the owners front and the mileage front, but sounds like a higher spec overall.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

Yes I suppose that is the other side of the coin; I think £8k is a sensible price to ask and be prepared to haggle a little bit - is it a real "minter" despite the slightly higher mileage or does it have the usual wear and tear eg to the drivers seat bolster?

It's worth what someone will pay for it. Sounds like you've got a nice collection of cars. Sure the mileage and colour may put some people off. However if it's mint then you could get good money for it £8k may sound a little light.

In my view, a Sportline facelift E320 cabrio is a very fine car. I'm sure many on here would be keen to see some pictures.

 

[tintinmt]

Condition and originality are important as you are selling a 'classic' as much as anything. The service history, sportline and 320 make it attractive. I think the answer depends to some extent on how much of a hurry to sell you are in. My opinion is £8K-£9K if you can wait for the right buyer. You could advertise for £9995. If you are in a hurry it will most likely be lower. I saw a similar (non-facelift) model in silver sell in an auction a year ago for £9K which surprised me a little as the condition was pretty average and the alloys were not original. If you look for a while you will see a few advertised at relatively high prices but very few appear to sell. That is the problem in trying to come up with a valuation - the market is very small.

 

[Two Bags]

Its not a minter. Just a well used, properly serviced honest car. There are some paint chips and the bolster has the usual damage. Thers also a scuff on the front bumber. All very cosmetic really. Have seen some that look fab but the £1500 I have paid for completely new wiring and and head gasket might even that out? I also have all bills. The hood is perfect and the seats apart from the bolster have a good look and feel to them. I suppose I could budget for all these to be fixed up but would that add to the value?

 

[Two Bags]

Thanks Avantegarde - I shall get the camera out. Its not mint as I say but in very good condition. How do I upload a pic ?

 

[The Boss]

Its not a minter. Just a well used, properly serviced honest car. There are some paint chips and the bolster has the usual damage. Thers also a scuff on the front bumber. All very cosmetic really. Have seen some that look fab but the £1500 I have paid for completely new wiring and and head gasket might even that out? I also have all bills. The hood is perfect and the seats apart from the bolster have a good look and feel to them. I suppose I could budget for all these to be fixed up but would that add to the value?

i think the exterior wouldnt cost you more than a few hundred at most and interior bolster around the 150 mark if it is bad..

usual marks are good as you say it shows originality, but the bumper bits could be a good tidy up thought

 

[Two Bags]

I've found a few pics from Italy last year...i hope this works..

 

[c955]

As usual (for me) slightly off topic, but looking at those pics; it can't have been easy to reach the decision that you have to let such a fine car go.

There really aren't many such capable, usable and pleasurable cars for the money...all in my heavily biased view of course!

Good luck with the sale - I'm sure a bit of effort with the advert will get you good money. This is unlikely to be the sort of car that people buy on a whim, so make sure you list, that apart from the cosmetics, the car is sorted

 

[Two Bags]

I think I'll definately budget about £3-400 just to sort out the cosmetics - the old girl deserves that. Thanks C955 - love that green coupe...I miss mine - maybe with its bigger boot space she'll let me... arrrggghhhh!!!

 

[The Boss]

Its not a minter. Just a well used, properly serviced honest car. There are some paint chips and the bolster has the usual damage. Thers also a scuff on the front bumber. All very cosmetic really. Have seen some that look fab but the £1500 I have paid for completely new wiring and and head gasket might even that out? I also have all bills. The hood is perfect and the seats apart from the bolster have a good look and feel to them. I suppose I could budget for all these to be fixed up but would that add to the value?

She look great!

love the car and colour combo.. very rare..

funny enough that if u read through my various posts, i would love to consider a higher mileage version of mine to use...

any more pics that could be emailed over?

thanks

 

[ss201]

W124 Cabrio

My advice would be to sort out the bumper scuff and the bolster over the winter. You may not recoup the entire cost, but you will make the car easier to sell. Potential buyers (genuine ones with cash to spend) are relatively few in number and will be looking for the best one they can find. The fewer reasons you give them to walk away, the better. Specialist dealers will always prepare and display their cars to the optimum, but will ask much higher prices accordingly. Take a lesson from them and the first genuine buyer will recognise a well-loved car and probably buy it. It's a lovely car and having FBSH, the wiring loom and head gasket sorted will certainly help the sale. First impressions and all that. Good luck!

 

[w124nut]

Hi Two Bags, just slightly off topic but relating to your photos, how are the cycles fixed to your cabriolet?

 

[neilrr]

I've got a Mushroom leather driver's seat for sale you could use to swap the bolster & or squab over onto your frame.

Parts & Accessories : W124 Coupe / Cabrio Mushroom Leather Driver's Seat