6.9 depreciation early on

[c107]

I managed to pick up a 1987 copy of Glass's guide, which covers the 1976-1987 (mid year).

One of the things that was interesting is the resale value of Mercedes-Benz models at the time. Generally they held up much better than the current ones do, except for the 6.9.

Suppose you wanted to buy a 1979 6.9 - a car that was then only 8 years old.

You would have paid $45,000 for your trouble, on a car that cost $80,650.
However, had you wanted a more regular 450SEL (4.5) that car would be $40,000 now on an original price of $53,835.

What else could you get with the between 40-45k you have burning a hole in your pocket?

You could have an 83 230E W123, or an 82 280E or an 84 300D.
A 1980 280SE would also be $40k, not bad on a car now 7 year sold that sold for $45,508. For just 1k more, you could get a 280SEL. You could also get a 1980 280TE, or an 81 280CE.
A W126 is out of your price range.
you could just get into a 75 450SL, but a 450SLC is still out of your price range.

or, if you wanted volume, you could buy 10 1975 mitsubishi lancers.

at the other extreme, a 75 Silver Shadow would set you back $45k.

 

[Michel]

Nice bit of research here Bryce!
Thank you

 

[Patrick_R]

Yes Bryce,
Very interesting

 

[Neil4speed]

I found a star magazine from the mid 90s and found that while initial depreciation may have been quite large - they leveled out around then with good examples still commanding in the low 20s

Those values you put towards align with my thought, the previous owner of my car bought it for about half MSRP 8 years from new

 

[Michel]

I found a star magazine from the mid 90s and found that while initial depreciation may have been quite large - they leveled out around then with good examples still commanding in the low 20s

Those values you put towards align with my thought, the previous owner of my car bought it for about half MSRP 8 years from new

They are certainly going up in value at a very fast pace and will eventually become as in-demand (and rare) as the 6.3s.

 

[c107]

They are certainly going up in value at a very fast pace and will eventually become as in-demand (and rare) as the 6.3s.

I'm not so sure of that.

The 6.3 was the more significant car because it was the first of its kind and spawned things like the AMG red pig and the like.
Plus the 108/109 series is a lot more valuable in general than a W116 - at least 2x.

You compare a 280SE 3.5 W108 which is a 45-55k car, against a 350SE that is a 10-15k car.
Or a 280SE W108 which is a 25-35k car vs a 8-15k car for a 280SE W116

(note I am not including concours winning cars here that are in their own league, but nice 7-8/10 cars)

I can see the 6.9 continuing to rise, but I see the gap getting wider with the 6.3, not narrower.

 

[Neil4speed]

I have to say I think it's the nature of it being a sedan and sedans generally being the least desirable of all body shapes for most people. When I think about the value of a 6.9 versus a 911 of the same era, it's staggering how cheap they are. They made far far more 911s

 

[Michel]

I'm not so sure of that.
I can see the 6.9 continuing to rise, but I see the gap getting wider with the 6.3, not narrower.

I never said they would catch up in value, rather that the 6.9s will eventually become as in-demand (and rare) as the 6.3s. - but with their own values... maybe I'm wrong, time will tell.