Hello Folks...what do we think about this EVO 1 on sale

https://thembmarket.com/1989-mercede...-evolution-i-2

Does the car look all original? Any important options missing?

Also looks like there is no documentation to prove the mileage. Is the wear and tear reflective of only 13k miles?

 

I've seen that listing and it looks like a good one. I didn't know that there was an EVO I with that low of a mileage still in existence. It probably could've benefited from a dry ice treatment on the undercarriage, inmho. There apparently is some documentation and more is supposed to be on the way. The paint and interior both look spectacular and look to me to be consistent with such a low mileage car. My more mortal W201 8v has only about 3,000 more miles on it and the condition of my interior looks like this EVO I's interior. The original owner owned the EVO I from 1989-2018 according to the listing. I think this car will set a record for an EVO I auction. The same seller has an EVO II with the P30 power pack with only 175 KM for sale that's listed at the seller's website. I can't even begin to imagine what that one will sell for. That one is no doubt a museum piece.I've been really curious to see what such a low mileage EVO I will sell for. I guess we'll find out in a few days.

 

What do you think about the whole underside? Looks too crusty for something that is such low miles.

Any thoughts on that?

 

I was going to mention that but did not want hurt anyone's feelings. To be honest like 190EFAN mentioned that underside does not look like a18K mile car.
It probably was in a humid environment like Japan and not humidity controlled. My >210K mile daily used '89 car's underside looks cleaner to be honest.
But it lived all 35 years in dry California and garage kept. It did take ski trips early in life though but always spray washed the bottom after Ski trips.

Maybe it needs a good cleaning. I would have done so before the auction as it could have upped the price 10's of thousands of dollars.

In summary, most likely needs cleaning with a nylon bristle brush.

Just did the front wheel wells of my '88 and looks so much better. I am doing some work in there so I figured why not. That one has ~190K miles.

- Cheers!

 

They have not been able to produce a single document in the 25 years of this car' s life that shows mileage recorded anywhere in this car's history. Not one.

Also the wear and tear on the gear lever is also not consistent with the mileage. How do you explain that?

I don't trust Japanese market cars and someone could have disconnected the ODO, driven the **** out of it. No way to prove it.

 

Yeah, I looked at more photo's carefully. All those bottom end photo's indicate a lot more miles on that car. All steel parts are oxidized and rusted. I'm not sure years alone would do that without condensation added on. My exhaust (silencer and resonator) with MB parts about 20K miles ago. They still look brand new. Even my down pipes that are 35 years old look cleaner.

Also resetting these odo's is a 1 hour job. Having fixed mine (advancing the mileage not retarding to show closer to correct mileage) due to failed odometer in the past 2 months, I can say that safely.

The coolant overflow tank look to be 30-40K miles old if it is original.

No matter the mileage it has been restored very well though, that is clear. It would be difficult to gauge the mileage without inspecting it closely for signs of age.

 

Thank you for confirming my suspicions. I have been bit before on the mileage on Japanese cars. Lots of scams.
The fact that they cannot produce one doc ument that shows recorded mileage in the past makes this extremely suspicious.

I don't think EVO's are at the point where the 300sl is where who cares what the mileage is as long as everything is original.
​​​​​They are still contemporary enough to where mileage matters.

 

I think your undercarriage concern is a good question for the seller. I agree with dolucasi about a good cleaning and the possibility that humidity is responsible especially if the car has lived anywhere near salt water. A dry ice treatment would likely solve the issue. I still think that mileage matters, even on Gullwings. I do think that EVOs are well beyond the contemporary used car status. The same seller claims to have a 175 KM EVO II with the P30 power pack. I did look at it at the seller's website. It looks magnificent. That particular EVO II being an EVO II with such an ultra low mileage might get close to $1 million. I'm personally wary of buying any car online. Just my 2 cents.

 

Bid got upto 220k so I dont think the undercarriage concerns or lack of documentation is deterring buyers out there.

 

There is another 16V for sale I saw somewhere with super low miles. They are asking for $400K+. So maybe the undercarriage did effect the price after all.

 

Low mileage EVO IIs go for $400,000 and up, not EVO Is.

 

Apparently not but that undercarriage was a red flag for me. I own a far more mortal W201 that has only 16,000 miles on it and there's no comparison between my car's undercarriage and the undercarriage on that EVO I. I think that the high bid was more than fair given that undercarriage and lack of mileage documentation. EVO Is will never sell for what EVO IIs sell for. I think the seller was being very unrealistic. Whether or not a deal was made post auction, idk.

 

This one on BAT looks much better

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...evolution-i-6/

Did evo 1 have any badging on them saying Evo 1 like Evo 2?

 

The EVO I on BAT is a much better car. The undercarriage on the BAT EVO I is in much better condition than the undercarriage on the MB Market car. I've been very lucky to have seen both an EVO I and an EVO II in person. Both are a sight to behold. I can't remember if the EVO I had a badge like the EVO II or not. It might have. I will also say that badge deleting is supposed to be very popular in Germany. I think the EVO I's also have the numbered gear shift if I remember correctly. Of course the best way to tell an EVO I is the rear spoiler. The spoiler on the BAT EVO I is clearly the EVO I spoiler. I would be much more confident in biding on the BAT EVO I than I would've been in bidding on the MB Market EVO I. If I were lucky enough to win the BAT EVO I auction, I would immediately restore the SLS. The SLS is no longer available and the EVO I is too rare and valuable to have the SLS removed. The seller was wise to keep all of the SLS parts. It might not hurt to double check with the seller that all of the SLS parts are in fact present. Not having the SLS would significantly lower the value of the EVO I.

 

Looks like the seller will restore the SLS if it sells.

Anything else on the car that BAT car that stands out or needs fixing. Looks like it came with factory air conditioning

 

Undercarriage and under hood looks good. Hood liner will need replacing soon. Looking at the pictures I get the feeling cosmetically it is not perfect.
Does not help that it does not have floormats.

Car appears to be local to me, maybe in San Mateo. If you can arrange with the seller, I can probably check it out for you.

- Cheers!

 

That would be great! Let me find out.

 

I sent you a report on my inspection in PM.

- Cheers!

 

Thank you @dolucasi for taking the time out to look at this car and for your detailed analysis.

Much appreciated!

 

As of 2018 when I replaced my hood pad, the MB Classic Center still had them. I don't know what the case might be now. The seller restoring the SLS is a big deal and it's good that the seller has stepped up to be willing to do that. EVOs are too rare and valuable for any "customizing". I've watched more mortal W201 2.3 16vs that had their SLS removed sell for less money on BAT. Originality is highly valued in MB world. It'll be interesting to see what it finally sells for.

 

I bought my spare hood liner about 18 months ago. They were still available. This car will also need the firewall insulation replaced for showroom quality. That is a bit more difficult to find but al told it is possible.

 

Good to know that the hood pad is still available dolucast. I would suggest the OP start with the MB Classic Center for the firewall if they wind up being the winning bidder for the EVO I. Adsitco will be another good place to check if the MB Classic Center doesn't have the firewall.

 

What's a good price for this car? The auction stalled at 110k

 

Maybe give us the historical pricing on '89 EVO-1's in BAT. I see $106K and reserve not met. I think it is getting close to the real value of the car but would like to know some historical data.

- Cheers!

 

They've been running in the $130K-$160K depending on mileage and condition. I think the seller made a big mistake taking out the SLS even though all of the SLS parts are present. I've learned that that's a real no-no for valuable MBs like an EVO I. It's hard to know the value for this specific example without seeing it in person.