Just wanted some opinions on this. Thinking about purchasing a 88 420SEL which is for sale at a local MB dealer. Looked at it today and it seems to be in outstanding condition. The interior is flawless. It had cloth seats which I found odd (rare?). I've only seen leather in these cars. It has heated front and rear seats. It only has 55,000 miles. What do you consider a fair price to offer?

 

Oh..... Forgot to say that they are asking $14,000

 

MECHANICAL HISTORY IS PARAMOUNT! Benz DEALERSHIP? They have "Experts" in the Svc Dept that attest to CLAIMS of Vehicle Condition. WITHOUT THAT, offer LOW KBB ... With it? MID KBB ... W126 "SELs" are expensive to maintain, even IF You're an Experienced Benz Wrench! Parts will KILL YA! ... I cheat. A Lot. ...

 

KBB doesn't go back as far as 1988. As far as I see, they only go back to 1994.

 

I have been watching the market on these for sometime and the ones that are priced $10k+ are a very slow sell. I would probably wait for the right 560 to come along if you are spending that much. Is this a imported car? The cloth seats tell me its a big possibility. Good luck!

 

I've been offering my '87 420SEL for $10400.00 several months with no offers, not even any calls. Mine has 114000 miles, mint condition. From what I've seen, the really nice ones are priced anywhere from $6000.00 and up. If the dealer will give you a bumper to bumper warranty, I'd offer $9000.00 tops. I fix my own things on the car but repairs are brutally expensive.

 

Not wanting to burst any bubbles but 100,000+ mile car no matter what condition is a $6500.00 car at best!!!! Just way to many great examples out there at the moment!! Also being anything other than the 560se/sel also takes away from price. Unfortunately the 500, 420, 380, 300, and so on are even sticker priced a **** load cheaper from new!! They were second tier offerings compared to the flag ship 560 just that simple.

My point 10,000 for a car Hagerty values a concours car at only 13,000 that is a car that is pristine in every way!!!! Most cars for sale are #2 cars at very best most are in reality #3 or worse when using the proper rating system to judge quality!

 

I'v never heard of cloth seats but every MB expert tells me the same thing, these 420SEL/560SELs were bought at time by doctors and lawyers who simply got the dealership to fix everything. The mileage makes the car sound attractive but $14,000 is very pricy. Offer $8750 or some odd ball figure and see what you get countered. I've lowered my price to $9000.00, even after spending a week (on and off) redoing the wood centre console veneer that was showing its age (faded and cracked) and then replacing the rubber protective boot under the gear shifter. My journey will be documented in the next Vancouver Island MB newsletter.