# 1986 Mercedes **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** classic, mercedes-benz\ **Created:** [May 28, 2010, 10:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1986-mercedes/49492 "2010-05-28T10:56:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![maddalyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@maddalyn](https://community.cartalk.com/u/maddalyn)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 10:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1986-mercedes/49492/1 "2010-05-28T10:56:54Z")
I have a 1986 Mercedes, 190E, 90K miles. It’s in beautiful condition. I’m thinking about selling it for between $3,000 and $4,000. A few people have told me that it will be more valuable if I hold on to it for another year because it will then be 25 years old. Is this true? ---
**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 12:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1986-mercedes/49492/2 "2010-05-28T12:57:34Z")
In my opinion…No. The vehicle will be just another year older. A vehicle is only worth what someone will pay for it anyway. Good luck on the 3-4K. ---
**Author:** ![maddalyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@maddalyn](https://community.cartalk.com/u/maddalyn)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 1:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1986-mercedes/49492/3 "2010-05-28T13:20:44Z")
thanks for your response – that’s what I’ve been thinking also. ---
**Author:** ![Goldwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Goldwing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Goldwing)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 1:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1986-mercedes/49492/4 "2010-05-28T13:26:39Z")
I have a 1989 190E, it’s worth about $1,500. They made so many of these that they’re not rare or show/collector cars. They’re transportation. If this were a rare old Mercedes in perfect condition it could appreciate over time but 190E’s aren’t going to. Does this have the 2.3L 4 cylinder or a 2.6 litre inline 6? ---
**Author:** ![maddalyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@maddalyn](https://community.cartalk.com/u/maddalyn)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 1:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1986-mercedes/49492/5 "2010-05-28T13:56:21Z")
Thanks for your reply. This is what I thought. This is a beautiful car which has under 100K. We have another Mercedes, a 260E with much rust and a number of problems that has lowered the value significantly. The engine is good and would last for many more miles. The 190E has 4 cylinders. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 2:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1986-mercedes/49492/6 "2010-05-28T14:38:11Z")
My “Old Cars Report” shows a range of $800 (for parts) to $18,000 for totally mint, low mileage, concourse condition. The average value for good condition and no consmetic defects is listed as $2150. This is a 1987 model. For your interest, a one year older car (1986) one goes for $600 to $16,500 with $1950 for good condition. There is nothing magic about 25 years. As stated, these cars were really mass-produced and many then Mercedes owners regarded it as a “me too” car, like the baby Cadillac produced in the 80s. What makes cars valuable is unique design, low production volume, generally good quality,and a few intangibles such as public fickleness. A Studebaker Avanti fits the above requirements much better than your Mercedes. I would just drive it “forever” as long as you can economically maintain it. They were good handling cars, and my only gripe with them was a rather cramped backseat.