Bidding ends this evening for a nicely preserved W114-chassis Mercedes-Benz, one of the more attainable classics on the market today. This front-engine, rear-drive sedan is a true five-seater that is often available as a project for peanuts, which means a truly nice one doesn’t cost a whole lot more. The Paul Bracq-designed sedan is an easy entrypoint to classic car ownership and this 1970 250 sedan listed here on eBay is said to have a high-quality paint job with no major mechanical issues disclosed. Bidding sits at $5,700 with the reserve unmet.
There’s something to be said for buying a car that doesn’t cost a whole lot but may be one of the best on the market. Now, I haven’t laid hands on this 250, but I do know plenty of them turn up for sale as total heaps that really aren’t worth investing in. It’s actually fairly difficult to find examples of this car that have been looked after, as so few owners seem willing to spend the money on a car with a limited value trajectory. The seller of this 250 is clearly an exception to the rule as it seems like the car has been maintained with an open checkbook. The paint code is unknown to me but it appears to match on the firewall and inside the doors.
The engine is a humble 2.5L inline-six that makes just over 150 horsepower, with the power channeled through an automatic gearbox. This is not an Autobahn missile by any means, but it is a car that can undoubtedly still tackle the interstate in a way many modern cars have yet to replicate. Over the years, I have become a huge booster of vintage Mercedes products over any of the other European brands I tend to favor, solely because no other make holds up as well as an old Benz. BMW, Audi, and VW have nothing on the highway manners of a Mercedes manufactured up through the early 2000s, which is when the build quality began to change. The seller’s car is said to benefit from recent servicing including replacement of the fuel lines, brakes, and radiator, and electrical work to correct some age related gremlins.
The interior is in condition that is similar to the outside, which is to say, very nice. The seller notes that the steering wheel is not the correct color per factory specifications, but I actually think the white rim works well with the navy trimmings. The wood trim on the dash is in shockingly nice condition for a car that doesn’t appear to have been extensively restored, and there’s just one dash crack noted as a flaw. The current bid price seems well under the value of the total package, but then again, prices for this model in general aren’t so high that one hopes the reserve isn’t much above $8,000. If it’s reasonable, someone will get a honey of a classic Mercedes sedan.
Looks pretty, but Stamford, CT is a salt and snow area. I had one of these that I bought in Richmond, VA for $1500 in what looked to be similar clean condition. Further examination showed severe rust damage in the rockers and left front fender. I will say that my car had the tightest turning radius of any car I’ve driven, including my smaller sports cars. It was a lovely car on the road and had plenty of power. The air cleaner hides dual 4 barrel carbs. Mine had a column shifted automatic, not the floor mounted one, although I did have bucket seats that were extremely comfortable.
I note in the pictures that the right side kick panel looks off and there’s an abundance of hanging wires. Also the radio speaker looks misfitted and there’s that bubble on the right side of the dash pad. I had to replace my car’s heater blower. It sits up under the center of the dash and in 1990 cost over $200 for the part (when a GM blower motor cost $35 and was a 10 minute replacement). The entire dash had to be removed in order to replace the blower and given the state of this car’s interior and claimed electrical remediation, might have been one of the fixes. Not clear what the reserve is but the current bid seems about right if inspection shows no hidden rust. This is a nice looking design IMO but not much in demand. Parts prices for German cars are pretty significant for anyone undertaking any repairs or remedial restoration.
These are wonderful cars I have owned two in the past a 72 250C and a 1971 250 like this. To me this was Mercedes high water mark.
Joe
No sale. Hopefully, the buyer will come to an agreement with someone who bid. I agree with Joe about the high water mark for Mercedes but to me it ended in 1989 or shortly after. Those cars were the best engineered and were tanks with reliability and long life as the philosophy. They certainly weren’t cheap but more than worth it. I live on the West Coast but I was tempted to have an inspection done, this certainly would be a great buy if there were no hidden big rust issues.
Brought back a 1970, 230 from Germany while in the Air Force. It was either food on the table or fix never ending breakdowns. The wife won hands down. Never touched a Mercedes again.
Most people Stamford/Greenwich area cars are no rust cars, to live here average home over 1 million , they all take care of their cars, going back to 70-80’s when I was younger, no one cared, cars were all rusted away driving the streets.