1984 380 SEL - what's it worth?

[mellowman]

Saw what I thought was a somewhat neglected 1984 380 SEL in a nearby industrial estate. Made some enquiries and it looks like a previously well-looked after example that has recently been neglected, with an MOT just out. Some signs of rust at the front and on the wheel arches, but looks superficial, and it has cloth seats. Interior is in very good nick, and it's had 3 previous owners.

Current owners are a busy garage and they said they'll do some research and get back to me with a price.

Any ideas what sort of money I should aim for?

Thanks in advance.

[tobinen]

Looks like a shed. Anything over £500 will be high with no MoT

[mellowman]

tobinen said:

Looks like a shed. Anything over £500 will be high with no MoT

Thanks, that's music to my ears! The interior is pretty immaculate and the paintwork is largely excellent, just the beginnings of bangerdom. The last MOT had no advisories and it's clearly had money spent on it in the past. It's not the particularly desirable coupe or pillarless version, or the presidential 560 SEL version, but it does have a sunroof and the original alloys, with good tread on the tyres, so I'm hoping it'll sail through an MOT - especially if the service station owners include one as part of the sale.

I'll keep the thread updated, but any other comments welcome!

[mellowman]

Well, went to view it today and we did eventually talk spondulicks, but it was clear the garage owner was after rather more...

I left it with him to ponder over, and I'll catch him next week to see whether he's softened. I think he's pretty realistic but when it's such a splendid old girl you perhaps think it's more of a collectible classic than it really is.

It's a lovely old thing, and with a well kept interior, but at the stage where lots of rust spots and details need doing. If it had the bigger engine, leather, nicer colour, and perhaps been the facelift model I would have suggested more. As it is, there's maybe room for a higher offer if it's MOT'd and serviced, but I'll see what he says after he's mulled things over.

[rubystone]

mellowman said:

Well, went to view it today and we did eventually talk spondulicks, but it was clear the garage owner was after rather more...

I left it with him to ponder over, and I'll catch him next week to see whether he's softened. I think he's pretty realistic but when it's such a splendid old girl you perhaps think it's more of a collectible classic than it really is.

It's a lovely old thing, and with a well kept interior, but at the stage where lots of rust spots and details need doing. If it had the bigger engine, leather, nicer colour, and perhaps been the facelift model I would have suggested more. As it is, there's maybe room for a higher offer if it's MOT'd and serviced, but I'll see what he says after he's mulled things over.

It's never going to be collectable though. You'd be better off finding a 560 with all the options. It's just a £500 banger with a service cost of double that if something other than oil or filters need changing.

[mellowman]

Update...seller accepted my £500 offer, so it's now bought!

I'll collect it at the weekend and give it a good going over.

I completely get the point about it not being a particularly desirable model, but to get anything else would have cost me more in fuel than this local one has cost!

Are there any recommended links and forums to know of now I'm a fully paid up member of the old Merc bangers club ?

Here are a few more pics.

[clarkmagpie]

Good luck

[0a]

Fantastic. I love these old w126s and like the earlier ones with little wheels most of all. Nice velour interior. Drive it for a while, get to know it, fall in love, then spend a ridiculous amount over what it's worth restoring it again

[tobinen]

Congratulations! Does it have any MoT or is it stage one to put it through?

[mellowman]

tobinen said:

Congratulations! Does it have any MoT or is it stage one to put it through?

It ran out in February, but I had a quick look on the ramp beforehand, and I think it'll probably pass without too much trouble. I'll report back.

Here's another interior pic.

[rubystone]

At £500 you've done OK. Just don't get suckered into throwing bags of cash at it to fix silly things...just run it 'as-is' and create a few eBay searches for bits that might not be working right now.

[mellowman]

rubystone said:

At £500 you've done OK. Just don't get suckered into throwing bags of cash at it to fix silly things...just run it 'as-is' and create a few eBay searches for bits that might not be working right now.

I agree, it's ok, not the bargain of the century, nor a rip off :-)

I have to say the garage owner was fine, no pressure, and a cheery chap who was realistic about its worth, although I suspect he paid more for it than I did, and probably just wanted his money back!

I certainly intend to run it' as-is' and have started keeping an eye on sources for parts.

Any sources for workshop manuals, preferably downloadable, but I don't mind printed versions at sensible prices.

[morecars]

Well done, looks like you bought a great car.

Man after my own heart, my 1985 380 SE

[mellowman]

morecars said:

Well done, looks like you bought a great car.

Man after my own heart, my 1985 380 SE

That looks lovely!

[0a]

mellowman said:

morecars said:

Well done, looks like you bought a great car.

Man after my own heart, my 1985 380 SE

That looks lovely!

Agreed. More pictures, or do you have a thread somewhere?

I always like the earlier versions of this era of Mercedes.

[morecars]

I'm a bit of an old Merc die hard, I have an 1980 450 SL and a 1990 500 SEC too. More pics of the 380.

[morecars]

Thank you, no plans to sell at the moment, I'll let you know if hear of anything similar come available.