I am looking for opinions on an airport auction find. I post occasionally when I come across these, as I purchase action vehicles from time to time. This 2008 S550 is an airport impound in Houston, Texas. Based on a little research, it appears that it was last serviced in June of 2019 with 104,300 miles. There is conflicting/inconsistent data on the mileage from carfax (some records show 220k+ miles, then suddenly 100k) but being over 10 years old, odometer is exempt in the state of Texas. It was actually serviced at a Mercedes dealership in Houston after the mileage inconsistency and they reported 100,512 miles???. No idea how long it was sitting at the airport parking lot before they towed it to impound; could be anywhere from 6 to 22 months (90 days of abandonment and unpaid parking would qualify it to be towed but it can take years before it actually gets to the auction block due to liens and laws of contacting rightful owners). Keep in mind that the vehicle was at least in some sort of running condition when parked and it drove to the airport, parked, and never left- that is about the only verified fact. It appears that the prior owner painted it matte black (and some ugly body tape) and did a facelift swap for 2010+ S600. The V12 badges are fake and the head and tail lights and mirror turn signal lights are not original. It is definitely a 2008 S550 with the V8. It is sitting on the ground, obviously with no air in suspension system, and has about 2 flat tires. I happened to see the vehicle in person on another trip last month to view other vehicles. I have purchased several Mercedes; some auction and some private- but never an S-class. I am sure that most replies will be "Run... not Walk". However, I am looking for constructive feedback on realistic value or what you would pay for it knowing that it may need lots of TLC, items that may need repair, how you would even have it towed, etc. I am NOT looking to purchase it... just very curious! Thanks in advance!

Link to auction:
https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/au...ew?auc=2763265
Vin: WDDNG71X48A150470

 

Actually...

Never mind.

 

Thanks, lol

 

In non-running condition, it isn't worth spit. Part it out for maybe $1500. Refurbed with the likely issues resolved and running..... maybe $2500. It does have 200K miles. This is not a good project.

 

This is trash you can buy

 

These cars are readily available in running conditions with clean titles in the color combinations you like. You can DIY or Indy or Dealer fix AND maintain and enjoy one of these, now. Why wait? Why risk ? Remember the proven adage...Nothing is more expensive than a cheap Mercedes...

 

No key ($500) No title (good luck) and the rear window is cracked open meaning it's full of water. It's nothing but a parts car, and the current $1525 bid is all it's worth.

 

I can't remember the last time I saw an auction car with duct tape on the outside of it lol... but, yea.. this looks like a parts car. I recently purchased a nice example 13' S550 after browsing the better part of 6 months between CL, Copart, FB market place, and even just cruising some of the shady backstreet car lots looking for a cheap W221 S-class. I actually found a few in similar condition for cheap, but the list of problems (and just the visible problems, not the hidden problems that Xentry would uncover), was so extensive, I figured it'd be cheaper, and less headache, to just buy a good car from the start. Funny that this one in the auction is at an airport impound lot. I wonder if it was actually abandoned at the airport? I used to spend quite a bit of time at KIAH doing aircraft photography, and would recognize cars in the garages that I'd nickname "Long termers", they were always there, in the same spot, gathering dust and bird droppings.

 

I was curious because, believe it or not, someone will buy it. Sometimes, wandering minds simply want to know. It's always a choice to read a thread, and then take the extra step to reply. Your opinion is appreciated.

 

True indeed!

 

Its at $2,225 now. Someone likes to gamble!

 

Nice! Enjoy your S550! So from chatting with the officer present at the auction when I went to look at other units, he mentioned that it was at least driven into the airport parking lot, parked, and never retrieved. How long in between is unknown to him since there is a separate legal team that actually takes possession from IAH. Sometimes it's military service members that go overseas and don't make it back. Could be someone fleeing the law. Health delays, etc- you name it... However, in many cases if there is no lien holder, and the rightful owner cannot physically produce documentation and physically go and retrieve the car in a timely manner, it is sometimes more cost or hassle than the car is worth.

 

Update: It sold for a whopping $6,500 :-}

 

Unless they had prior knowledge of a briefcase full of cash locked in the trunk, someone overspent by about $6,400. Auctions bring out the stupid in people.

 

Yes, sold for well more than it appears worth.

Worth $100.... I don't think so. The CATS are likely worth $1000-$1500 to a scrapper. I know, hard to comprehend.

I would value this car $1500-$2000 as a part out. The CATS quickly sell, so one has a parts car less the CATS for under $1000. But the used car market is crazy right now, so what made sense a year ago makes no sense to many of us today. I home in my neighborhood could not find a buyer at $760,000 two years ago. It sold with no changes in one day for 1.1 million last month.

I went to home depot last night to look as some electrical terminals. About 90 percent of the shelf space for electrical terminals were empty. Maybe a shortage of goods overall causing unexplainable prices.

I am no way defending/ justifying the sales price of this W221. Just sharing some observations.

 

I remember in the financial crisis of 2007-2009, the high tech guys in San Francisco all got laid off. They drove their Infinity Q45s and their Mercedes 550s to the airport, flew home to India; and just before departure called the Lease Company and said they could find the car at the SFO parking lot.

 

Yet again the adage is proven: "Fools and their money are easily separated" (unless as Dale B points out, hidden something of high value in the car.)

 

Did you buy that E63 AMG from the City of Houston? BEAUTIFUL car! I was an early bidder but dropped out because of the registration issues. I have a Car Fax on it if you want it. I'm not sure that car is the same vin as the one written on the window because that Vin came back to a trashed car. The city removed all the ViN numbers from the auction car, leading me to wonder if it was stolen and someone replaced the VIn plates from a wreck. It's just too nice to have had the kind of history on the car fax report. If you want the report text me at 832 715 3918 and I'll forward it to you.