- Seller: Joseph R (Contact)
- Location: Middletown, New Jersey
- Mileage: 192,000 Shown
- Chassis #: WDBBA48D9KA100419
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 5.6-Liter V8
- Transmission: Automatic
Back in 2020, this 1989 Mercedes 560SL was found in the original owner’s garage, where it had been parked for over a decade. The seller, a 30-year Mercedes-Benz technician who says this is the 25th R107 SL he has restored, rescued it from storage and spent roughly $13,000-$15,000 on parts to turn this into a reliable show car and long-distance driver. Located in Middletown, New Jersey, this final-year R107 shows 192,000 miles and is offered at auction with a clean title. Power comes from Mercedes-Benz’s 5.6-liter V8 paired with an automatic transmission.
The seller discovered the SL in 2020 after it had spent roughly twelve years stored in a garage. Its previous owner purchased it new, and it reportedly received regular maintenance before being parked. When acquired, the Mercedes showed around 188,000 miles. Before committing to the restoration, the seller performed a compression test. All eight cylinders reportedly produced 170-175 PSI, convincing him that the high-mileage V8 was healthy enough to justify the work that followed. And there was a lot of work.
The timing chain and guides had already been addressed, and the seller later tackled virtually every major service area around the car. The braking system received new calipers, rotors, pads, sensors, parking-brake shoes, and hardware. Steering and suspension work included ball joints, a steering damper, a steering coupler, and a differential mount.
The transmission received a new filter and modulator, along with a full fluid service including the converter. The differential was serviced, and the fuel system received pumps, a filter, an accumulator, a pressure regulator, relays, injectors, seals, and related components. Ignition work included a cap, rotor, wires, and plugs. The cooling, intake, vacuum, and engine-management systems received similar attention. The A/C is charged and blows cold.
Cosmetically, the seller spent 16 hours cleaning, wet-sanding, compounding, waxing, and ceramic-coating the red finish. The photos show a striking R107 that certainly doesn’t look like a mileage car. Four new tires and triple-plated wheels complete the exterior presentation, while the refinished original wheels, lug nuts, and center caps are also included.
Inside, the seats, headrests, and armrest received new leather, the console wood was re-veneered, and the instrument cluster was professionally serviced. The dashboard remains crack-free, and the factory Becker Grand Prix cassette radio is still in place. The correct removable hardtop and rolling stand are included. The folding soft top was replaced in the early 2000s and remains functional and leak-free, although its side windows have developed creases from long-term storage.
Other inclusions read almost like the inventory from a Mercedes specialist’s garage: books, roof tools, first-aid kit, correct wind deflector, WeatherTech cover, Mercedes trickle charger, original window sticker, extra trim, a roller tool chest filled with parts, approximately 70 pages of recent receipts, and binders containing factory service information.
The seller doesn’t call it perfect. There are touched-up chips and scratches, a small paint bubble low on the driver’s fender, a couple of minor dings, and surface corrosion on the outer casing of the rear muffler. But he says the SL has handled three-hour summer parades and 100-mile trips to shows without overheating, suffering any mechanical issues, or smoking.
192,000 miles might seem like a lot, but these cars are well built and, if they are properly maintained, will last a lifetime. Clearly, this one has been serviced throughout its life, and the seller has done all the major work needed to ensure it stays on the road for the foreseeable future. Mileage tells you how far this Mercedes has traveled. The receipts, compression numbers, and restoration work tell you considerably more about how prepared it is for the next trip. So, if you’d love to hit the road in this SL, be sure to bid below!
Bid On This Auction
Thall bid $2,500.00 2026-09-01 09:21:43
Karl in Vermont bid $2,000.00 2026-08-30 09:57:58
Johnny bid $1,250.00 2026-08-28 22:34:17
Brad Taylor Australian team bid $1,000.00 2026-08-27 00:14:31
kevin bid $750.00 2026-08-26 20:38:37- Brad Taylor Australian team bid $500.00 2026-08-25 20:43:26
Timeless design.
Nice write-up on a great looking example! GLWTA!
Love these cars. I grew up a couple of towns over from where she sits now. Looks very nice but without an engine rebuild or a repaint, I’m not sure we can actually call this a “restoration.” The market for these has been very strong last 5 years but buyers are finicky and tend to gravitate to the low mileage examples and largely ignore the higher mileage ones.
My wife drove a 1986 560SL, acquired with 100K miles having been driven by somebody that had put 35K miles/year on it. I don’t know what their occupation was, but cleaning the interior, I discovered an expensive leather holder for a 9 mm magazine under the seat. The 560SL was followed by a 1993 500 SL. Both were reliable, with the caveat that even with an independent shop, service wasn’t cheap. However, from two standpoints, the 1993 500SL was a much better vehicle. For one, the steering was more precise (even though we replaced tie rods and ball joints), and it handled better. And, the top was way easier to operate than the 560SL.
Not a car I covet; bad association with country club types. But this would be one to buy, being thoroughly refreshed
Hello and welcome to my auction. To be clear this car does not need or did it need a repaint unless you’re trying to make it 100 point Concours vehicle. It took me a legitimate 16 hours of work to get a glass-like finish from the factory, one stage signal red paint after 12 years of storage put a layer of oxidation on it.
As far as the engine goes, regardless of the miles, with 175 compression from each cylinder, it is nowhere near needing an engine rebuild. The cars new only had around 180 compression. Mercedes factory says the engine does not need rebuild until compression gets below 120 psi.
Everything else that may have needed attention is done. We couldn’t fit everything in the listing, but I have it all for anyone to see timing chain, tensioner, guides, valve stem seals, intake gaskets, injectors, every piece of plastic rubber, and vacuum line, switches sensors you name it I have bills for it and that was just a small partial listing of what was done.
@Joe Rigg. Hey Joe! I used to live in Middletown and now live in Vermont. I was just there this past weekend. Nice example and a well-taken-care-of car! It’s a driver and those motors are bulletproof if maintained. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy yours because of its maintenance, just not in the market right now. I hope you get a good number for it!!
this site ‘turned me onto’ this model. After the 190 (affordable alternative to 350SL they put out for the ‘common man’). I did not follow till seeing these here ?a decade ago?
I, being an i6 fan, like the ’55 – ’98 190, 230/280, 300 models (W113, 114, 121, 124). Each became more refined, more a technically proficient ’sports car’ albeit lux oriented. Durable, not really exotic. Nuttin wrong w/dat! just off in a different direction than my usual interest. I didnt mind the body line changes (matched the times produced) yet still preferred to stay w/those healthy 6 cylinder models…
Wow, the wife and I are looking for a convertible. This may be the one. All the heavy lifting done. Sure, plenty of miles, but I’d rather have this than some 40,000 mile job that never had work done.
Hi George,
I agree. These cars age because of both time and mileage. Just because a car has lower miles doesn’t mean all the rubber plastic and seals under the hood aren’t 40 years old. A little maintenance goes a long way, but some people are hung up on the mileage. Two months ago, I sold my other 89 560 SL black over Palomino on bring a trailer. I acquired it from an older gentleman and it had 65,000 miles on it just sitting in the garage. I fixed some minor things and really detailed it. The car presented well but when I would take the two of them to car shows, no one would look at it. They all gathered around my red one. The black one sold for $49,500.
Wow someone is going to get a well sorted car,timeless design and great color combination.
Thank you yes, she is a beauty from every angle
Gorgeous. My wife had a 450SL and even though it wasn’t nearly sorted as this, it was still the best ride on an open road I’ve ever experienced.
Thank you. Yes, in any condition, there is nothing like a 107 SL!
I like the look of these SL’s they are nice inside and out. However the 560SL isn’t really a powerhouse. I test drove one once and I wasn’t all that impressed. This car looks like a decent buy though, if the bidding doesn’t rune crazy at the end.