What's a 6.9 worth?

[julian]

How long is a piece of string?

It's only worth what someone is willing to pay, right?

I've recently been asked by a friend if I want to purchase a 6.9 Benz. It is a 1979 UK model with 300,000km on the clock. It has had lots of work particularly on the suspension in the last decade. It has been very infrequently used in the past few years but is kept under cover and still started and run regularly. There would be a bunch of spares and a workshop manual included in the sale.

Rust is something that it has. All the doors have rust in the lower parts, but most of the skins are blemish free. There are other areas on the car but nothing that looks too bad. This would be the area of most significant work.

Seeing as the market has so few, and many seem to stay up for sale for so long it is hard for me to accurately appraise what the car would be worth. I certainly want a project car soon as I have just moved into a house with a garage, and finally feel like I have the space and inclination to get to work

Can anyone guide me as to the kind of market value of the 6.9s?

[EdCox]

They really do vary.

For example, see:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mercedes-Ben ... 4ae03bd59c
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MERCEDES-450 ... 1643154789?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mercedes-Ben ... 3f40c7d7a0


I saw a written off 6.9 with some moderate front end damage sell for about $1500.. EBay tends to represent the lower end of the price (and quality)

As you probably know, they are expensive to maintain and get parts for, so really I'd consider that more than the purchase price. They do share a lot of things with regular 116's through so interior parts etc would be relatively easy to come by.

My honest opinion - buy it...

[julian]

Hmm, thanks Ed.

Thanks for the thoughts and advice.

The first one you linked is not actually a 6.9, as indicated by the VIN and very obviously underbonnet pictures! Maybe that is why they are trying to offload it!

[m48pro69]

Hi Julian I have had 3 6.9's over the years so I may be able to help. My current project is a 1977 Euro which is like the UK one you are looking very desirable from performance point of view. My 6.9 had only doe 18000km since 1995 I am 3rd owner. Mechanically its very good with great velour having been covered by sheep skins all its life. Paint is vey poor having had a bad respray at some point before last owner. It has 321000km on it at time off purchase this year. Almost no rust but 100% original at time of purchase with Becker Mexico and emergency suspension blocks. I have modded the car but no holes drilled or parts removed thrown away. I paid just over 8K so under 10 would be a fair price from your description. See my post on my project. Geoff viewtopic.php?f=15&t=19159

[MMWA]

I've owned my 6.9 since 2003 and it is a WA car and has been its entire life.

A "bit of rust" is what my car had when i purchased it, and I spent near on 8 grand having it all cut out. Todays prices would be a lot more im sure. You want to find an example with as little rust as possible in the usual areas the 116 chassis is notorious for.

An enthusiasts car with perfect paint and interior, genuinely no rust, moderate KM maintained to the highest level with no regards for cost (only way to own a 6.9) with no work required to start enjoying immediately should be in my opinion 15 - 20k. At that price they will sit for a very long time though, the very cheap ones sell practically instantly. The less left on the road the better, makes them rarer ;)

[julian]

I'm not bad at sheet metal welding and have started using TIG a little, though do not own one.
A few rusty doors, a TIG welder, a couple of grinders and a selection of hammers and I have my next years of project covered!
I've also got my eyes on a sheet metal roller, and would love to get proficient at basic curves for panels.

One of the biggest things holding me back is the fact that it hasn't been driven much over the past 5 years. It has been kept under cover, and on a trickle charge but not taken out of the driveway very often.

[MMWA]

That sounds exactly like my car, though i try to take it out for a drive every year or so. It's always an enjoyable experience when the time comes.

I keep my car on chassis stands though and depressurise the suspension system during these long idle times (by going to high position, putting all 4 stands in place then returning to normal position)

As long as fluids are being changed and not left to decay, i see no problem with this.

[Michel]

Did your friend end up buying it?