1983 280SL Euro 5 speed
 

I wasn't really planning to sell our SL, but my wife would really like an Audi TT roadster, and I saw one this week that is tempting. So, if we can find a buyer for the SL, we'll make the move.

This car was purchased new in Germany by a US military officer, who imported it to the US himself. I bought it from him in Denver in the summer of 1999. It had 78,000 miles on it then, and has about 88,000 now. We keep it in the garage and now only drive it in nice weather (which, by the way, we have plenty of in North Dakota in the summer). In June 2003, my wife and I drove the SL over Beartooth Pass (US 212) in Montana-Wyoming, with the top down. The car worked flawlessly.

It has the M110 2.8 liter twin cam fuel injected inline six, 185 hp, with a 5 speed manual transmission. It runs great, and is a pleasure to drive. I have always used synthetic oil and MB coolant. The car has no airconditioning or cruise control. It has dual zone heat and heated seats, blue plaid cloth and MB tex. Power door locks and passenger mirror, and hand crank windows. The radio is a vintage Blaupunkt AM/FM cassette.

The car has no rust and, as far as I can tell, all of its original paint ("silverblue"). It has a few door dings, but no significant dents or other body damage. The wheels on the car are silver painted BBS alloys, with good Pirelli 205/70-14 tires. The soft top (presumably original) is dark blue, and is in very good condition. The hard top is also in great shape. We have the Euro headlights in a box, along with four steel wheels, MB hubcaps, wheel bolts, and some miscellaneous parts.

I can take digital pictures of the car and send them to interested parties, but the system doesn't seem to want to allow me to post a picture with this message.

The car is garaged at our home in Bismarck, North Dakota.

VIN: WDB10704210015931

It's hard to know what to ask for a price. We paid $14,500 for the car in 1999. I think I would have to get $9000 for it to make it worth selling.

John R. Boyce
Bismarck, ND

Off topic but..

"Beartooth Pass (US 212) in Montana-Wyoming".. great drive. Did you ever make it over the Big Horn Mountains on US-14?

I have a real soft spot for Montana, I plan to move there some day.

Is this it? Can you talk to my wife?

That's my car!
 

Yes, that's a low-res digital photo that I have posted before. I plan to take some new, better quality pics this week.

On the off-topic comment, Beartooth Pass is a terrific drive. The snow at the top was at least 8-10 feet deep, but the road had been plowed, and it was a bright sunny day, so the road was almost totally dry. What a drive.

I've been on US 14 in Wyoming, too, but years ago in the back seat of my dad's 1963 Buick. Not as nice as driving the SL!

here are some pics of the car
 

They are the best I could do on a cold, snowy afternoon in my garage.

John.

Have you sold your SL?

Thanks,

JAS

No, we still have the car, and once spring finally arrives here (it's supposed to snow this week), I plan to take the hardtop off. I'm sure the Audi TT we were thinking about is long gone, but we still might be in the mood to sell the SL. By the way, we just traded our 2003 Saab 9-5 Linear in on a new 9-5 Aero. Terrific cars.

John.

Yes, I like my 9-5 a lot. Great economy and fun, too.

I shall keep the SL in mind----

Don't burn the front tires off your new Aero! (Thank goodness for traction control!)

JAS

John-

Thought I'd bug you again- still have the 280SL? I am getting closer and closer to deciding that I want one (really, closer to convincing my girlfriend that I ought to have one instead of her wagon).

Has it had the front subframe replaced (recall) or repaired by the dealer, that you know of? Does it leak anything?

I love the fact that is has no a/c, power windows, or cruise.

Cheers,

JAS

We still have the SL. My wife and I drove it out in the country and back earlier this week on a fine upper midwest summer afternoon. We drove it to Fargo last month (400 miles round trip).

I don't know anything about the front subframe. It was my understanding that our car (1983 model) wasn't affected by the cracking issue, but I'm not sure. The car rides and drives fine, and the tires are wearing evenly. I think all the suspension parts are original.

The engine drips a little oil, which I understand isn't rare for the M110 engine. I keep a piece of cardboard under it, like the original owner did.

John.

John,
If you still have the 280 and want to sell, I'm interested.
regards,
Mark
Fairfax, VA

the SL is sold
 

We sold the SL last September to a gentleman from Delaware. He and his wife flew to Bismarck and drove the car home. The last I heard, it's doing well in its new home.

John.

I saw the car last week in it's new garage in Delaware. Its doing very well indeed....