[dude99]

Ok, so all my experience has been with w123 and w126 diesels. I sold my w123 last year to buy my current w126. I've loved both. Recently I bought and flipped an old honda motorcycle for a considerable profit and though, why not a car. As all my wrenching experience thus far has been with mercedes I thought that'd be a good place to start.
So I've been hunting around and I came across this 1975 230 on craigslist for $400. Heres a copy of the add:

"2.3 liter carburetted 4 door 114 sedan .Rust free car with faded paint .Interior is good condition .Runs but needs minor carb work.Mechanically sound with good brakes and exhaust.$400 firm .Does not run well enough to drive."

So I'm thinking about going and having a look. The only problem is I have no idea on the value or demand for these cars. Like I said I've owned a pair of mercedes diesels and know what theory worth but these older gassers are a mystery to me as far as value goes.

What do you all think, is there any money to be made here? I'm thinking all it needs good polish and clean as well as cleaning out the carbs ( I know there is no way to tell for sure till I go look at it but lets just assume for now that the add is true)

 

[flyboyike]

At $400 your risk is pretty limited. Worse comes to worst, you can part it out and make at least three times that back just on the body parts, if they are, in fact, rust-free.

 

[xlimodriver]

Here's one for sale for $14,019 more than they're asking for yours.

Mercedes-Benz Midium Class 114015(1975) / 230-6 / US$14,419 / 62,800 km / Central Auto Co.,Ltd. - Japanese Used Car [ tradecarview ]

 

[carpenterman]

As Flyboyike said, at $400 your risk is pretty limited. But so is the likely upside of the car.

The w115 230 is not a popular model, judging by the prices I see on ebay. Especially the post-1972 vintage with its impact bumpers and elaborate pollution controls on the engine. It has a Stromberg side draft carb which is going to need a rebuild.

A decent, mechanically sound and RUST-FREE 230 would bring around $2000 on a good day. There was one on CL near me with low to medium rust listed for $1400 that never sold and was eventually parted-out. So condition is paramount and if the car is sound it could work out for you. Check those rockers, wheel arches and trunk. It would be a good idea to check the compression, as well.

 

[dude99]

Yeah, that was my worry. I know that the diesels have a following (myself being one of the followers) so I was wondering if the gasers had the same demand. Looks like from what you guys are saying they don't... hmmm.... I'll have to ponder this a while longer... thanks for the info...

 

[Fonzi]

Buy it and give us something good to read.

 

[ekfinn]

Hell, if it is in fact rust free, the faded paint should buff up pretty damned nice if it's monocoat paint and not base/clear.

At $400 rust free, I'd tune it, clean it, and drive it.

 

[drizzy]

I say shoot for it just because at $400 you can't really lose out in money, just possibly your time. Worst case you end up parting it out, or re-selling it around the same price range. I would focus mostly on just getting it running for a resale because if it's drive-able then more people would be willing to purchase it because the assumed risk is a lot lower. Anything more than that and I think you'll just end up breaking even or being in the hole some, but hey you could say you've restored a sweet car. Or I could be completely wrong and it turns out to be a huge success in which case I will definitely applaud you!

Now bikes on the other hand can be pretty easy money makers with a lot less time invested. Especially since most sit for months at a time without running, often enough if you clean out the carbs, lube up everything, and throw in a few bucks in parts. My friend and I have actually done this and it's usually worth the time.