Is this 1972 Mercedes 250 2.8 for $8,500 a stylish and classic bargain? – Jalopnik

The current great price or no dice Mercedes could be a future classic that is simply undervalued now. Let’s see if this stately sedan is priced for that possibility, or just for the here and now.

In Michael Crichton’s 1973 film Westworld, rich people pay a lot of money to stay at an amusement park, where they wear uncomfortable clothes, sleep in uncomfortable beds and drink hot drinks. This is all so they can get loud with the robot cast. Of course, things quickly go pear-shaped when the robots get fed up and decide to ‘eat the rich’.

The 1984 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60 we looked at yesterday offered a similar thrill of a simpler time. However, it is highly unlikely that the Toyota – being a Toyota – would ever endanger its occupants. At $26,000, our candidate was admittedly more pro-elite than egalitarian, a factor that didn’t sit well with the 68% of you who voted him out in a No Dice loss. A new owner apparently disagreed, however, as the Land Cruiser ad was removed before we could complete our voting.

This is an example of Mercedes’ mid-size sedans from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Today, a comparable model would be the E 450, although the similarities start and end with the market position and an inline six-cylinder engine under the hood.

Launched in 1968, the W115/114 models replaced the earlier ‘Baroque-style Fintail W110’ with impeccably sleek, Paul Bracq-penned lines in both four-door and pillarless coupe body styles. Available power plants include a range of four- and six-cylinder gas engines, as well as four-cylinder engines, and the world’s first production five-cylinder diesel engines. Transmission choices were all four-speed, both manual and automatic.

Thanks to the 2.8 six-cylinder of this car, it is a W114 and the top version for this model year. The M130 SOHC inline six-cylinder has its origins in the 220 from 1951 and was shared by the entire Mercedes range in this model year, especially under the hood of the 280 SL with pagoda roof.

Here, with (new) dual Solex carbs, the mill makes 130 horsepower and 160 pound-feet of torque, good enough for zero to sixty sprints in about 11 seconds. This is linked to a standard Mercedes four-speed automatic transmission, and comes with (non-working) air conditioning, power steering and brakes and all-round independent suspension. According to the seller, that only gave this 250 a total of 183,000 miles. Considering that one of these models has driven no less than 4.9 million kilometers, it is only just getting started.

It’s just as much fun in the cabin. The real wood on the dashboard shows some hairline cracks in the glossy top layer, which adds extra character. The MBTex upholstery has held up very well, as you would expect. Other pleasant surprises include the opening vent windows (perhaps to compensate for the dead R12 AC) and the car’s original Becker Europa MU AM/FM stereo. According to the seller, the car’s maintenance booklet, with service records dating back to the 1970s, will be included in the sale. The title is clear, and since it’s a pre-1975 car, it’s exempt from smog testing in states that follow California’s lead on emissions.

But is that a fair deal? What are you saying? Is $8,500 a reasonable price for this Mercedes as presented in the ad? The seller warns that the price is fixed. You will have to determine how firm your decision is to support or deny that question.

You decide!

Nice prize or no dice:

Fresno, California, Craigslistor go here when the ad disappears.

Help me with a nice prize or no dice. Contact me at robemslie@gmail.com and send a fixed price tip. Don’t forget to include your comment handle.