Valuation/estimate wanted - Does the MB Club etc still do these?

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Setanta

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Hi all.

Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction on this.

I have been fortunate enough (I think!) to come across the opportunity to acquire a 1998 SL600 and a 1998 S600L. Both are extremely low miles and one owner. Both are silver and black (and no, he never bought the matching CL600 to make a 'trinity' - it was the first thing I asked!).

In the years that have passed since I've owned R129s and W140s, the market seems to have risen quite a lot for them.

My initial view is to possibly sell one or both of them and put the money towards property. I've 'done' the SL and S-class thing so to speak and the SL will be of no use with kids.

Any pointers on where I could get an accurate valuation?

I won't do consignment sales (I have heard too many horror stories) and equally I think they would stand sufficiently on their own merits to sell by themselves so I would prefer to sell them myself if I can.

Many thanks in advance.
 
The official club does
 
As d w124 says the official club does them but bear in mind these are valuation surveys for insurance purposes rather than market value- there's a subtle difference. Market Valuation is tricky as it may vary considerably according to spec,vehicle colour,service history, mileage, ownership profile, regular use , current market demand etc etc. After careful appraisal the car owner may possess an accurate considered value but market demand will dictate its worth when it comes time to sell meaning it could sell above book or fails to meet a reasonable reserve. For that reason Market values are best expressed as a monetary range which may be quite wide as an expression of the uncertainty of the whole business.
https://classicsworld.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/price-guide.pdf
R129 gives £22/10/3 K values W140 is not listed perhaps due to not enough surviving to get a decent sample but might usefully be 1/2 the SL values ??? 20-25% premium might be added for the 600 effect?
And buy one of these and check the for sale adds
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Classic-Car-Price-Guide-2018/dp/1781066582&tag=amazon0e9db-21
 
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My 10 year old son still sits in the back seat of my R129 without any issues ( with 3 point seat belts from Quickfit SBS retrofitted ) .
 
Hi all. Thanks so much for the comments and information.

With the seatbelts, I would prefer to keep it standard and have made up in my mind that the object will be to sell them.

With the valuation, I spent the weekend looking at websites and with a stack of magazines. I also called a few places from Mercedes Enthusiast (where did all these dealers come from!).

I had an interesting conversation with someone who is part of a Jaguar classic group and he made a very good point. Not only are they not being made any more (true) and while you can buy pretty much any model (true), what you can't readily buy is low mileage cars. In his view, that is the USP for these two.

I remember when NSX's for example could be had for 15K and now they are 60K. I even recall SL60s for mid-teens. Now 50K plus. Crazy world.

Since I won't be driving them, my plan of action is put them in storage with the monthly start up and short drive around via the storage provider, keep the MOT and servicing (main dealer) up to date and just set a price.

If they sell, they sell but if they don't then I think the value should either rise over time or the market should rise to meet them.

I've missed out on too many bargains over the years and 'could have/should have' and also sold cars cheaper than I should have so am loathe to make that mistake again.

My preliminary view is:
  • The SL600 - I am thinking 40-45K
  • The S600L - I am thinking about 22-25K
I think the S600L will be a harder sell but perhaps even combine the two as a set?

Cheers
 
If you are looking to these cars as long term investments 5 + years it may be wise to take cogniscance of societies possible changing attitude to ICE vehicles in the future. At present vintage cars benefit from a fairly relaxed - favourable even attitude to their use - we are still in the ICE era after all . If EV propulsion was ever to become the norm then that might change and ICE market values might crash. Pointless looking for guidance on here- for the most we are all ICE addicts ---its the majority of car owners who never lift the bonnet of their car you may have to worry about?
 
Thanks - I hear what you say but I can't see that the demand for the more esoteric of the ICE engines will ever diminish.
A small car (and the R129 is nowadays a fairly small car) that has a 6 litre V12, 2+2, very useable boot, a decent folding softop, a plug and play hardtop and with power to burn?

I can't see that ever getting old! Probably one of the best packaged designs in automotive history.
 
Hi,

When you say extremely low mileage are we talking 5k, 15k or 50k etc?

The one owner aspect is attractive, have they both got full service history etc?

R129s are definitely appreciating, but I wouldn’t expect massive increases overnight - they made them in quite large numbers and have survived the years pretty well so there’s plenty about. If the price is right for the cars you have been offered then go for it of course.

My feeling is the 140 will be a much harder sell, it has a much more limited appeal and as nice a car as it is I’m not sure they’re going to make massive gains in value.

I’m no expert but that’s my personal view :)
 
Hi. Both are under 10,000 miles (the SL is 8500 or thereabouts and the S is closer to 9700 from memory). And full history (by time) too.

That's where I think the value is but also where, if I kept them, they then become a very good example and then eventually just another one as the miles increase. Not like a McLaren F1 where it would not matter what miles you did, you could still name a price!

I think the prices would be close enough to where a specialist would offer them but I think they stand on their own merits rather than needing the speel about Mr Smith buying for high days and then Mrs Brown buying to drive to the helps that you see in adverts.

I've already had someone contact me but only on the SL so I think you are right on the S being a bit of a longer game.
 

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