Help valuing an R129 300SL, and a couple of other things...

[LeighW]

I need to get valuations for a few vehicles owned by my girlfriend's grandfather who sadly passed away last month. Unfortunately, they're too old for any of the online valuation guides, and one of them is erm, really old.

Firstly, his 300SL. I have the vin for this if anyone can decode it, for some reason the russian site doesn't seem to recognise it. PM if you can help please?

Anyhow, it's a '91 300SL, one previous owner, and just 34k miles. It has, as far as I'm aware, full MB history. He had owned it since '95, and it only came out on weekends, the mileage is definitely genuine. It has the factory hard top and stand too. It's overall condition is very good considering it's age, the leather is good although it could do with a clean. The only interior faults I found were a cracked speaker grill, and the wood trim coming away from the trim slightly on the driver's door. The exterior is very straight, but the front wings have some rust forward of the wheel arches. There is no other rust that I can see. The roof is very good, no creases or cracks in the rear window. Any ideas on market value please? Here are some pics, sorry about the quality, they were taken on my phone.

Roof and rear window very good:

Nearside wing rust:

Offside wing rust:

Driver's door trim damage:

Now, the other two!

First, a Reliant Scimitar SS1. 55k miles, 4 previous owners. His wife called this his Noddy car, and I can see why...

Lastly, and how much this is worth I have no idea, a 1954 Matchless 350cc bike. It's apparently in good working order, but it hasn't been used on the road for quite some time, the tax ran out 8 years ago. How many owners, I don't know, the logbook says one owner since 1983.

Any help much appreciated!!

 

[kwakdonut]

I have no idea about the cars but the Matchless is probably worth a few thousand. I would suggest contacting Classic Bike magazine or a specialist auction house to help unless anyone on here can help!

 

[grober]

My guess?? and its only a guess on the 300SL £2000-£3000ish if a few folks are interested - the number plate is probably worth a bit too. It's a nice colour (BERYL?) which helps BUT don't sell it just now -sell it spring early summer. In terms of service history was the car serviced annually by MB ( recommended) since the mileage might mean this had not happened. Mercedes thrive on being driven- not standing around, and can deteriorate a bit under certain circumstances requiring a bit of money spent to bring them back to roadworthy condition. Your best bet on the Reliant is to contact their owner's club http://www.reliantownersclub.co.uk/enter.html

 

[BTB 500]

Very unusual to see rusty wings on an R129. Particularly with low miles

 

[BTB 500]

In terms of service history was the car serviced annually by MB ( recommended) since the mileage might mean this had not happened.

Yup it should have been serviced every 12 months regardless of low annual mileage.

 

[LeighW]

Very unusual to see rusty wings on an R129. Particularly with low miles

Really? I was expecting more rust than that, probably on the rear arches too. Mind you, I do have a W208...

I looked around the front for evidence of accident damage repairs, but I couldn't see any. I wanted to pull it out of the garage, but the battery was flat as a pancake. I've left it on charge now.

I should add that the valuation is needed for the purpose of valuing his estate.

Thanks for the input so far everyone.

 

[LeighW]

Yup it should have been serviced every 12 months regardless of low annual mileage.

I'm going to ask to see the history. He was a wealthy man, so I'm assuming it's been done annually, he wasn't the type to leave it. Apparently he was planning to get the body sorted, but obviously that won't happen now.

 

[BTB 500]

R129 is arguably the most rust-free 80s/90s M-B.

 

[LeighW]

My guess?? and its only a guess on the 300SL £2000-£3000ish if a few folks are interested - the number plate is probably worth a bit too.

The plate won't be sold with the car. Talking of which, I guess I need a value for this too. Hadn't thought of that.

 

[janner]

This might help value the SL. The actual sale value will be on their site in a few days of the auction.

Edit. I guess how you value the cars will depend on who's getting the proceeds and if it affects inheritance tax?

 

[LeighW]

This might help value the SL. The actual sale value will be on their site in a few days of the auction.

Thanks for that!

 

[bigstuff]

the reg no on the 300 & the bike might be worth a bit

 

[Doodle]

I'll refer the bike to my dad, he used to be heavily involved in AMOC (AJS & Matchless Owners Club) and should still has a few contacts who can help.

 

[230K]

Hi

If it were me i would put a valuation of £5000 on the lot for inheritance tax.
No point in dreaming up high values that might never be realised seeing that 40% of any of these values have to be paid to HMRC.

I would be conservative in these market conditions, that is assuming that they are bequeathed to family members and do not have to be sold.

What if you put a value of £1000 on the number plate on the bike and paid £400 to the revenue only to realise a few years down the line that because it hasnt been on the road for 8 years that the plate can never be transfered????????????

230K

 

[pauljbpaul]

You must have entered the wrong vin, i found the vin by checking the reg (KWB 66) and it came up on the russian site, heres the spec

VINWDB129***********
Model300 SL
Chassis129***********
Engine103984 22 002984
Transmission722363 03 544591
Order0 1 537 23975
Approx. year1991
LightsBOSCH
WiperBOSCH
DealerGreat Britain (537)
Interiorleather pebble (275)
Paint348pearl blue metallic (с 01.01.1990)348pearl blue metallic (с 01.01.1990)
Options341additional lamp (с 01.09.1982)
362
461instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (с 01.04.1990)
524paintcoat preservation (с 01.01.1964)
538automatic antenna and front loudspeaker - without radio set (model 500SEC with loudspeaker only) (с 01.10.1989)
551anti-theft warning system (с 01.11.1978 по 31.03.1998)
592heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (laminated glass), band filter
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, laminated safety glass - tinted strip (с 01.01.1972)
600headlamp wiper/washer (с 01.08.1971)
615lamp unit, asymmetrical l.h. traffic, and front and rear door courtesy lamps
like 610, and with type 107 bifocal bulbs
611 + 613 (с 01.11.1978)
6528-hole light alloy rims (с 01.01.1990)
740folding top fabric9001 black (с 01.08.1972)
880closing system with infrared remote control (с 01.02.1988)
881central locking inside for roadster pigeonholes (с 01.02.1988 по 30.11.1991)


Looks a nice 129,its worth what someone is willing to pay i think due to the mileage it could do quite well.

Hope this helps.

 

[230K]

Hi

Here you go, i changed your WDD to WDB and it seemed to work.

230k

 

[bolide]

Very unusual to see rusty wings on an R129. Particularly with low miles

Concrete garage with no ventilation + low miles = lots of rust, unfortunately

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[wobbly]

You must have entered the wrong vin, i found the vin by checking the reg (KWB 66) and it came up on the russian site, heres the spec

VINWDB129***********
Model300 SL
Chassis129***********
Engine103984 22 002984
Transmission722363 03 544591
Order0 1 537 23975
Approx. year1991
LightsBOSCH
WiperBOSCH
DealerGreat Britain (537)
Interiorleather pebble (275)
Paint348pearl blue metallic (с 01.01.1990)348pearl blue metallic (с 01.01.1990)
Options341additional lamp (с 01.09.1982)
362
461instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (с 01.04.1990)
524paintcoat preservation (с 01.01.1964)
538automatic antenna and front loudspeaker - without radio set (model 500SEC with loudspeaker only) (с 01.10.1989)
551anti-theft warning system (с 01.11.1978 по 31.03.1998)
592heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (laminated glass), band filter
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, laminated safety glass - tinted strip (с 01.01.1972)
600headlamp wiper/washer (с 01.08.1971)
615lamp unit, asymmetrical l.h. traffic, and front and rear door courtesy lamps
like 610, and with type 107 bifocal bulbs
611 + 613 (с 01.11.1978)
6528-hole light alloy rims (с 01.01.1990)
740folding top fabric9001 black (с 01.08.1972)
880closing system with infrared remote control (с 01.02.1988)
881central locking inside for roadster pigeonholes (с 01.02.1988 по 30.11.1991)


Looks a nice 129,its worth what someone is willing to pay i think due to the mileage it could do quite well.

Hope this helps.

How did you find the VIN from the registration number ?

 

[pauljbpaul]

How did you find the VIN from the registration number ?

I have a friend who runs his own motor factors and chassis numbers come up on his parts ordering system.