Sadly the number of running and/or repairable W108s is rapidly approaching zero. They are very susceptible to rust (although not as badly as the W116s are) and are vanishing. I haven't seen another one around here for a long, long time.
It's also expensive to restore one and you end up with a family sedan, never a hot item for collectors. Peter -----Original Message----- >From: Jaime Kopchinski <jaime...@gmail.com> >Sent: Dec 21, 2010 9:22 AM >To: Mercedes Discussion List <mercedes@okiebenz.com> >Subject: Re: [MBZ] 4.5 Value AND Question for Jaime and others w. MBUSA >connections - or - How to get NLA parts demand onto the MB radar > >Hi David, >Max is right... the best thing to do it keep in contact with the >classic center and Tom Hansen. They're quite dedicated to keeping the >enthusiasts well supplied with what they need. There have been parts >that go out of stock, then go back in production when demand is >suitable. (For example, I think this happened with OM617 300D manual >trans flywheels!) > >Some parts simply can't be produced anymore due to availability of >materials, processes that become illegal due to environmental >standards, etc. Interior parts are usually the first to go for this >reason (for example, leather interiors). > >W114/5 /8 cars have a great following world wide... I'd expect lots of >parts to remain available, even if they need to be sourced in Germany >from some of the specialists there in some cases. > >Its important for us, as a community, to promote the value and >collectiblity of these cars. Values of W110s, 111s, and 108s are >already shooting up since people are treating them more as rare >collectibles, rather than cheap drivers.. /8 cars have been under >valued for years. W116s are next (believe me, start buying them!). >In a few more years (maybe 10+), everyone will be collecting W123s, >and even W126s. Just watch. > >Which brings up the question asked earlier on the list: How much is a >W108 4.5 worth? I didn't say much, but I was shocked to hear $1000. >A decent W108 around here is very hard to find, and anything without >significant rust is worth $2000+ easy in my opinion. If you can drive >it home, its worth $3500+. If there is no major issues, $5000-8000+. > >A W111 230S just sold locally on eBay for $4600... with a bad, not >original, engine. A few years ago, this was a $1000 car. Have a >look: >http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150517197572 > >Times are a changin' for old Mercedes, and its only going to get >better as the values go up and more people start taking them >seriously. > >(And I know lots of people on this list won't believe me!). > >Jaime > > >On Tue, Dec 21, 2010 at 2:29 AM, David Bruckmann ><bruckma...@transcontinental.ca> wrote: >> The MB policy of actually supporting their classic community is brilliant, >> and I am willing to put my money (within reason) on it. As I posted before, >> I'm becoming impatient with aftermarket parts of questionable provenance and >> will pay a premium for OE quality. >> >> A couple of times now I've gone to order something for my W115 and have been >> told by the dealer that the part is NLA and "we even checked with the >> Classic Centre". Two parts that come to mind are the rear seat pads and the >> speaker grill assembly (the one that always shrivels up) on later W114/5 >> dashboards. >> >> Demand for some items like seat pads must be increasing after being close to >> nil for many years. When I did the interior in my W115 I got what World >> Uplholstery said was their last set of rear pads, one of which was a NOS >> genuine part, the other had served as their fitting model when they were >> testing the covers. A friend is getting set to do his W115, and World >> confirmed that the pads are NLA. Same story from GAHH and Mercedes directly. >> >> A while ago I happened upon a note from Tom Hansen at the Classic Centre >> that the trim pieces for the R107 were once again available after being NLA >> for a while. >> >> So my question: if the part is "NLA", but Mercedes-Benz is restarting >> production on certain items according to demand, how does one ensure that >> this demand is actually registered with the company. Is there a way of >> getting onto a list or something so that these parts become available? Or do >> I just send a note to Tom? >> >> D. >> >> PS: to the joy of W116 owners, it appears that those formerly NLA rear seat >> pads are once again available in the aftermarket (and a bargain!). Not sure >> how they'll hold up over time, but better than crumbling vestiges of the >> original... >> >> _______________________________________ >> http://www.okiebenz.com >> For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >> > >_______________________________________ >http://www.okiebenz.com >For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > >To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
