The Mercedes-Benz R107 convertible is a model familiar to most enthusiasts, and is one of the cheaper entry points into the classic car hobby. However, there is a very fine line between owning a car that is simply a runner and one that is worthy of long-term investment, and this 1988 560SL listed here on eBay appears to be the kind of car that is worthy of a market-correct purchase price. Wearing Signal Red paint and showing just under 80,000 miles, it’s currently bid to $13,500 with no reserve.
Signal Red is a terrific Mercedes color, and while it is pretty uncommon on the sedan models, many of the SLs were ordered this way. The listing notes that this R107 has been in long term family ownership in Georgia and Tennessee, and that it was extensively maintained by local dealers during that time. These cars were often purchased as weekend cruisers, and the mileage shown here is far from low given many of these have under 30,000 miles. Still, you like to see cars get driven, so I’d call the 80K on the clock a happy medium.
There’s no mention of an upholstery job in this SL’s history file, but the seating surfaces appear to be in excellent condition. The carpets are likewise quite clean and the dash shows no cracks. The seller notes that the convertible top is original to the car, which seems incredible considering this car has some actual miles on the clock. Perhaps the factory hardtop was kept on more than it was off, which would be one possible explanation for the original soft top still being in good shape.
The M117 V8 was a reliable mill producing decent grunt, especially after many years of the R107 suffering under the malaise haze that affected seemingly every car and truck in the late 70s and early 80s. This SL makes a respectable 227 horsepower and will be turnkey reliable with just basic ongoing maintenance (save for some pricier part replacements here and there), and most any Mercedes dealer and specialist shop out there will still happily work on these roadsters. This one is under-bid at the moment but I wouldn’t be shocked to see it end up around $20K or so.
Good thing for two items: the wife can no longer drive due to medical issues and she hasn’t seen this one. I’ve listed to her wanting one of these for years. It looks pretty good to me, though I’m not that much of a MB aficionado.
Beautiful Merc, will watch the bidding……nice find, Jeff!
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Now is the time to buy one of these. Sorry guys for the step up class in the 80s, this was your wife’s car. The station wagon or mini van was for hauling kids and crap and nothing else. I knew some folks with them. I still have a photo of me in one exactly like this.”it was a popular choice then”. I actually considered one a few years back when my wife wanted a “her” car but she wanted a stick shift and we ended up with a very low mileage, one owner Solstice. By the way those are fun reliable units also. I think sometime next year the Solstice will move to the warehouse and her next will be one of these. Rust is an issue, like most cars. Parts can be pricey, but hey it’s a Benz. Take proper care and troubles are few from folks I have known. These are nice and iconic, as much 80s as a IROC, a Carolla or a 5.0 Mustang. Buy it you will not be disappointed.
Yeahhhhh, but you better be 5’8″ or under, those seats don’t go back far enough for a 6’er to be comfortable and the hard top severely limits head space – also, steering wheel is the size of a garbage can lid so it traps you in the seat. I drove one from Fayetteville, NC to Atlanta and back to go to the auction in ’91. Boss let me drive an ’87 SL as a bonus for being good at my job. By the time I got back to Fayettenam I would have much preferred to have driven a hooptie Audi 5000. I will say I have driven a 107 SL that had aftermarket Recaro’s and a later MB Sportline steering wheel – small changes, but a huge difference.
Not a huge MB fan. But this car is beautiful.
Had a ‘87 black one. Maintenance costs worse than BMW, or Porsche . Fun to drive around with top down, though.
I just missed one of these Beauties that was on Offer Up for the longest time, It went from 10,500 $ all the way down to 6k and I missed it! Somebody got a good deal in Plano Texas last month, I’m still Hurt!!!
These SL’s were built like tanks when MB was still building quality cars. If I were in the market for a 86-89 SL l’d find the nicest one I could find and make an offer. You could possibly find one for under 20k with lower miles and better looking. I wouldn’t make it a daily driver, but they fit the bill for most any and all occasions.