With Amelia Island making its annual showing this week in Florida, I’m certain there will be more than a few hyper-low mileage Mercedes-Benz R107s making the auction rounds. These have literally been hobby/collector cars for years, and what always blows my mind is the price tag some of the lower mileage cars still command, like this one here on eBay with an asking price of $37,500.
I’ve never really understood the appeal of the U.S.-market cars, with their thirsty V8s and automatic transmissions. The Euro-spec models at least made it interesting, with manual gearboxes and spirited inline-sixes available as options. This 560SL captures the U.S. market cars perfectly, as a heavy vehicle with not much in the way of sporting pretensions. This one is a time capsule car, with just over 28,000 original miles.
Many of these cars ended up this way, accumulating very few miles as they live uneventful lives as some wealthy coupe’s third or fourth car, rolled out for the occasional weekend jaunt. In my view, desirability is often closely linked with availability, and with a ton of these cars made, I’ve never been able to understand how someone decides which one of these R107 cars to buy. There are seemingly hundreds for sale at any given time.
I suppose low miles is one way to choose a drop-top Benz from among the legions of cars for sale. This one would certainly stand out for that reason, even if the driving experience could easily be replicated (if not improved) in a car with higher mileage but a completely refreshed suspension. This one, despite its obvious years of hibernation, will still likely need some amount of deferred maintenance, so you better be sure a car like this is going to make your life better.
I’m happy to translate from English to Mercedes-speak for all! “Deferred maintenance” = $$$$$$… I would have used more dollar signs but am afraid that there aren’t enough available for a comprehensive translation to Mercedes-speak… Now I’m going to work on my attitude.
Deferred Maintenance = Neglect
I agree Jeff, been watching for MB’s since the snow started flying here in Wisconsin, and there are a lot for sale. I do not think I have ever seen one with the third pedal, to bad. For comparason, here is one from the Midwest. I have no affiliation with this vehicle. More miles but not $37,500. https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/d/milwaukee-rust-free-sl-mercedes-benz/6822358568.html
I have an 84 “Grey Market” 280SL with 5 speed manual, Euro bumpers & headlights & aluminum hood. Slightly more miles than this one though. Not as much power as the 8s, but fun to drive.
I had a gray market ‘77 280 SLC coupe with the six and automatic. That thing would roll! Cost someone a lot to certify for U.S.
A few years ago, there was a 350SL, 1972, with the V8 and STD shift for sale in MA. It was a documented factory car, white with a red interior. I might have seen an ad for a different one since, but not two! It was the one to have! Would have had the Euro style bumpers, but I think it had US headlights. $20K at the time seemed a lot, but it was sold quickly!
Black, 80’s, and low miles. You had me worried there for a minute.
Mileage , say under 150K, is not that critical with a MB. Piles of maintenance receipts are, and I would make sure any car I bought had them.
“say under 150K, is not that critical with a MB.”
Says someone who never worked as a MB tech like I did.
These came in all the time for all kinds of problems. Replacing vacuum actuators
inside the dash was a specially pleasant . Replacing leaky head gaskets was fun
as well.
Looks like this vehicle did 20,000 miles in the last 8 years. Still not a ton but I suspect the seller who looks to have bought it in 2010 with 5,500 miles has either decided on something else or has found that any vehicle that old needs a ton of work to keep running even at these low miles.
I have a 1984 380 SL that I drive as a daily driver. I love it and it’s not expensive to maintain at all. I also get paid to have it used in photo shoots cuz it’s so pretty. Driving in LA with your top down is a joy that is not quantifiable.
Wife drives her 72 350SL regularly, Not very expensive to service and maintain at all, reliable, comfortable and cool with the top down, the poo poo’ers know nothing of these cars, they were after all known as the BATTLEWAGONS because they were so reliable!
Love this car, if I could afford to maintain it, I would bring her home. But I have owned two MB and both ate cash as if I earned it easily. I’ll stick to my American Iron! I can easily get parts and they are less expensive.
Unfortunately, not designed for tall people. I sat in one once…bus sized steering wheel that didn’t tilt or telescope, right in my lap and rubbing my knees, and not enough space for my legs/feet! :-)
My Euro 1983 380SL has a Momo steering wheel. I am 6 foot 1. No problem, unless I want to see the top of the speedometer.
this is a 1989…..AIRBAG
I had this year last of this body style
just a pleasure to drive wish I never sold it
As a purveyor of these beautiful well built Mercedes cars I have had many low mileage 450,380,and 560 SL cars.One easily forgets how well these beautiful cars were built.The very unique drive that only a very well preserved example will give you.
There are thousands out there that have been used up and indeed need thousands spent to bring them back but ooooohhh how good they are when they are right.
If you are concerned about maintenance your focus is in the wrong place and you should purchase a Toyota Prius
This is my daily driver: 1986 560sl. I can’t afford a collection, so this is my collection of one.
It is a cruiser and I don’t commute. We have been everywhere, North to Nova Scotia, Northwest to Wisconsin and south to Florida…and a lot of places in between.
It is still cheaper than therapy.
Parts availability is no problem and I use a great independent shop that keeps me on the road trouble-free.
Bought it in 2007 with 18,534 miles and recently just passed 158,000 miles. I looked at 6 cars under 25,000 miles and thought this was the best one mechanically and it had been regularly serviced its entire life.
The only time it left me on the side of the road was when the 33 year old voltage regulator died (without warning).
Great Cars, if you like this sort of thing.
I do.
I sold a 1987 560SL one owner with 5960 miles for $32,500.00 5 years ago. Went back to Stutgart Germany. The car was mint and completely 100% original except the battery.