Jaime, Thanks for your info on the W108 - I didn't even know it is a 108. I too think they're only going to go up in value, and I also agree that there's lots of folks on this list (me included) who are bottom feeders and thrive at the 'frugal' end of the scale.
I really want to get this car, there's just this little problem of getting the Chairman of the Finance Committee to agree. -Max ________________________________ From: Jaime Kopchinski <jaime...@gmail.com> To: Mercedes Discussion List <mercedes@okiebenz.com> Sent: Tue, December 21, 2010 10:22:02 AM 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
