The online car market is a hive of activity, consistently bustling even when the weekend dials down the usual weekday hum. Let's dive into Friday's scene first: Collecting Cars, Cars & Bids, and Bring a Trailer really turned up the heat, driving home a hefty $6.1m in sales.

As we cruised into the weekend, the momentum didn't just hold; it soared, with sales hitting the $6.2m mark. Collecting Cars, in particular, made some standout moves, clocking in some major sales figures. When they step on the pedal, they mean business.

Now, shifting focus to Hagerty. They had their sights set on a turbo-charged launch into 2024, but it seems they've stalled somewhat. Last week's tally stopped at just seven sales, and this week's lineup doesn't look much more promising, with only 10 cars set for the auction block. Weren't they gearing up to give Bring a Trailer a tough competition? They need a major overhaul and some strategic maneuvers if they want to even get back in the race.

Just click on the image, and boom, you're right at the listing.

This weekend, when a 1982 Mercedes-Benz 300TD Turbo hit a jaw-dropping $99,500 at auction, it wasn't just the car that was turning heads and breaking the internet. What was it about this sale that had folks buzzing, asking, "What's so special about this wagon?" Well, let me tell you, it wasn't just one thing; it was the perfect storm of a top-notch seller, a stunningly unique color combo, and a whole lot of heart.

As such, it serves as a reference case of how an online auctions should be handled, from sourcing, to preparation, to details/documentation, to presentation and then managed to completion by responsive and insightful commentary, support from the community and a spectacular result for a truly special vehicle.

The Laumbach Effect

First off, you've got Dean Laumbach steering the ship. This guy doesn't just sell high end Mercedes and other luxury vehicles; he sells the absolute nicest examples available – often better than they were on the showroom floor – and he usually (and confidently) sells most of these cars with no reserve and no excuses. Known for his spotless record, fully sorted listings and his knack for connecting with buyers, Dean's the kind of seller who adds that extra layer of shine, not just on the car but on the whole buying experience. It's like he's got this Midas touch, turning every auction into gold.

That Eye-Catching Style

Then, you lay eyes on this beauty, draped in Petrol Blue Green Metallic with Cream Beige MB-Tex hugging the seats. It's not your run-of-the-mill color scheme; it's a statement. This wagon doesn't just turn heads; it stops traffic, making you think, "Now that's a ride with character!"

A Mosaic of Memories

But here's the kicker – the real magic was in the stories, the genuine, heartfelt tales from the folks who've shared their lives with this wagon. The comments section lit up like a Christmas tree, each story adding another layer of depth, another reason to fall in love with the 300TD.

•The Family Chronicle: "This wasn't just our car; it was a part of the family. It's seen laughter, tears, and a whole lot of sing-alongs. Letting it go was tough, but knowing it's appreciated for all its quirks and memories – that's the real deal."

• Echoes of Adventures: "Every dent, every scratch on that wagon has a story. It's been our trusty sidekick on countless road trips, a silent companion through thick and thin. It's not just a set of wheels; it's a scrapbook of our wildest adventures."

•The Resilient Companion: "Through thick and thin, the 300TD was our rock. It's not just the miles it covered but the resilience it showed, a testament to the engineering and care that went into maintaining it. Parting with it was bittersweet, but seeing it appreciated and valued brings immense joy."

This chart below from BaT perfectly captures the extraordinary nature of this sale.

The Road Ahead: The Mercedes Wagon’s Legacy in the Making

As we tip our hats to the 300TD and its unforgettable sale, we can't help but peek into the future. Here at The Daily Vroom, we spend a lot of time around the water cooler thinking about what the collector cars of the past can tell us about the collector cars of the future.

Mercedes wagons have always held a special place in the market. Made in small numbers each year, designed to suit the traveling needs and desires of well-heeled families, often with room for extra kids in the rear facing seats. Historically, this has meant that Mercedes wagons have held their values better than their sedan and coupe counterparts.

The W123 sets the standard, with diesel reliability that is known to routinely last for 500K miles or more. Values have continued to climb for clean and well-maintained examples. The newer kids on the block, in particular, V8 W211, W212 and W213 wagons, with their sleek lines and roaring engines, have notably increased in value in recent years. AMG E55 and E63 variants are incredibly rare and have been considered collectible since they rolled off the showroom floor, but the E500 has long been an affordable option available on Bring a Trailer, Cars & Bids or MB Market.

It's not just about what's under the hood; it's about the legacy they're set to continue. If they're cared for, maintained and cherished like the 300TD, we might just be looking at the long-term legends of the auction world. We believe that these V8 wagons will continue to age like fine wines, with E55 and E63 AMG variants and E500 variants all continuing to increase in value and desirability.

In the end, this 300TD saga wasn't just about an iconic, slow and reliable car selling for a pretty penny. It was a celebration of history, of memories, and of the unspoken bond between a car and its family. And as we cruise into the future, it's these stories, these connections, that turn a simple wagon into a timeless classic and that leave us here at The Daily Vroom excited about watching for the next preserved classics to hit the auction block.

When this 1964 Jaguar XKE didn't meet its reserve at $170,000 but later found a buyer, it showcased a dynamic often seen in the auction world. Post-auction sales, like this one announced with, "The car has been sold! And it will be raced!" reveal the potential for deals beyond the initial auction timeframe.

While some platforms offer a 'Buy Now' or 'Deal Tank' feature to continue the sale, that approach could inadvertently encourage bidders to hold off on participating in the actual auction. Instead, it seems more reasonable for platforms like BaT to facilitate these post-auction connections without necessarily continuing the auction in an official capacity.

By adopting a model where a fair commission is secured for sales finalized after the auction's conclusion, BaT & others can ensure they are compensated for their role in the initial matchmaking. This approach balances the need to encourage active bidding during the auction while acknowledging the platform's part in post-auction sales.

In essence, it's about evolving with the market trends and ensuring that every stakeholder, from the seller to the platform, gets a fair share of the success. This way, vehicles like the XKE can speed off to their new chapters, leaving a trail of satisfied parties in their wake.

Keeping up with the digital fast lane means constantly innovating, and our favorite car auction platforms know this game well. They're always brainstorming new features to enhance our experience – like that super fast shipping widget on Cars & Bids, a total game-changer for me!

But it's not just about flashy new tools; it's also about the vibe of the platform. Sure, a sleek design can make browsing a breeze, but get it wrong, and it's a one-way ticket to Frustrationville. Take the BaT app, for instance. It's brilliant, but boy, is it addictive! I find myself scrolling through it way more than I should.

Have you checked out the chatbot on Collecting Cars? It's a neat little tech trick – go have a play, it's pretty cool.

And you know what? I think every site should have a nifty chatbot to handle those repeat questions. Yeah, we've got FAQ sections, but not everyone's a fan of digging through those. A chatbot adds a layer of transparency and a touch of modern flair.

I've heard whispers that BaT is sprucing up their website front & back-end. And sure, if they switch things up big time, there might be a few raised eyebrows in the community. We've all been there – a favorite site gets a facelift or a new name, and the internet goes wild. Then, after a bit of a grumble, everyone adapts. But hey, that's the future, not today.

Speaking of tweaks, Cars & Bids recently refreshed their homepage (see above image), sliding in a featured section at the top. It's not a seismic shift, but it's a slick touch, and I'm digging it.