SL/R129: Book Values
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 310
Likes: 42
From: Hudson NH
2007 SL65, 2009 SL550, 1991 SL500
Book Values
Comparing Kelly Blue Book to the Nada guide and find that NADA's Prices are higher. Big difference really.
Which book is most widely used. Was comparing a 1991 500sl average condition.
Which book is most widely used. Was comparing a 1991 500sl average condition.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 598
Likes: 19
From: Eastern Kansas
94 SL 600, 98 993, 89 XJS Conv., 85 Daimlier Princess 16 Hybrid Lincoln 16 Chevy crewcab
As a collector I like the best price for ego support. When rolling from vehicle to vehicle I like an honest direct observation with enough time to evaluate. I have been burned by showmen who were not fully honest!
Average condition is too vague and dealers have their go to devalue items.
Bottom line, if using my rolling stock for collateral for some other venture the bank uses the least value from their go to index. When boosting my ego at social events I brag the auction record prices!
I watch "Bring A trailer" website to see what is being offered and how the photos line up with my inventory.
Are you buying or selling? face to face with people you know is as good as I ever get.
Average condition is too vague and dealers have their go to devalue items.
Bottom line, if using my rolling stock for collateral for some other venture the bank uses the least value from their go to index. When boosting my ego at social events I brag the auction record prices!
I watch "Bring A trailer" website to see what is being offered and how the photos line up with my inventory.
Are you buying or selling? face to face with people you know is as good as I ever get.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
1996 SL320
If you want reality, take the lower of the two values. NADA calls your car at $6675 for my area for an average retail, and to bring that it would have to be a really nice car. I recently bought two SL320s in "average condition" for 24 year old cars, in other words they need significant restoration.
The best way to get a realistic value for your car is to check Craigslist around the country, Ebay and other sales site and put your car in the middle of the prices you see these being sold for.
IF you are doing this for insurance purposes, only take the highest book value you can find published for it.
The best way to get a realistic value for your car is to check Craigslist around the country, Ebay and other sales site and put your car in the middle of the prices you see these being sold for.
IF you are doing this for insurance purposes, only take the highest book value you can find published for it.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
1991 Mercedes 500SL
I like nadaguides for a number of reasons. But, for current real world numbers … Bring A Trailer's website has become a very good source.
https://bringatrailer.com/mercedes-benz/r129/
https://bringatrailer.com/mercedes-benz/r129/
Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 83
Likes: 17
From: Buffalo
97 SL600, 13 BMW M5, 00 BMW M5
I also use BAT for seeing what stuff actually sells for at auction. You just have to keep in mind condition as the biggest factor. Typically BAT cars are going to be "nice" at minimum and usually "really nice". There is normally a big gap between those descriptions when it comes to auction values on cars that are/or are becoming collectible. I look at as many sources as possible to see what asking prices range between for similar mileage, etc. Cars.com is a good source not yet mentioned in this thread.
