How much for this SL

[Carlos Serrano]

The car is a 1979 280 SL with 38,000 miles on the clock, pristine condition
Brumos motorcars Mercedes Benz dealer wanted the car for their private museum, do not know what offer they made the owner but evidently it was not enough, the car belongs to a friend and he asked me if there was a way to find out what is worth, I saw one for sale at the classic car trader, they want $13,000 for it, did not mention the mileage, the 8 cylinders are worth considerably more than the sixes when it comes to vintage SL's, evidently not much attention is given to the smaller horsepower, does anybody have an idea?

[Carlos Serrano]

The above post is incorrect, After a phone call to the owner I found out that the car is a 1979 450SL with 38,000 on the clock in pristine condition also the dealer's museum offer the owner $9,000 for the car. The owner is asking $ 12,000 for it, now I am very interested in the car, anything I should know (mechanical problems,gremlins) about this car. the car was bought 25 years ago used with 5,000 miles by the present owner, I am going to take a look at it and hear it run first, and take it for a test drive ,but it will be helpfull if I know what to look for.

[450slcguy]

Actually the 6 cyl. is more desirable, dependable, and has as much or more hp. than the V8. Your car is a euro. market car and that makes it very desirable. $12,000 is reasonable in pristine low mileage condition. If it's a manual transmission, let's just say it's a very sought after vehicle.

[ctaylor738]

This is enough mileage that the collectors won't be interested, but low enough that it will lose a lot of value if you drive it. It is one of the better of the 450 years, but still has the 3-speed auto.

The climate control is the Achilles heel of these cars.

There is a huge amount of competition from other SL's in this price range. $13K will get a very nice 380 or nice 560 which have a lot of appeal (electronics, 4-speed trans, better climate control, lighter engine, etc.), so it will be tough to sell.

At or near that price, get it checked out to make sure that there isn't $5K worth of repairs and maintenance waiting.

[POS]

Chuck Taylor is correct. $13k is quite reasonable for a car of that low mileage, but you really can't drive it too often. You may not want to, in the first place, simply because it's a possible weekend car.

I'm as much a collector as another, but a 1979 450SL isn't much of a collector car nor is it a desireable car. The only thing that makes it interesting is that it's got real low mileage. How much $ does it need - it'll need something because it's almost 30 years old. I'd guess $2000 pretty easily.

I'd rather have a $13k 560SL with 90k on it than a $13k 1979 450SL with 38k on it - more fun to drive.

[Strife]

One of the things that turned me off of the 450SL was the gas mileage - at very best, it's not good and some people have reported as little as 10-12 MPG even after tune-ups, etc. The earlier FI system combined with the 3-speed transmission (with no lockup or overdrive) really hurt. Not a problem if you can afford it or don't intend to drive it much, but this is pretty brutal at $3.00/gallon (and chances are, gas prices are at their highest when you want to drive the car the most, darn it). I would rather spend money on car parts.

[450slcguy]

OOPS, missed his corrected post. A euro 280SL is WOW. A USA 450SL for that money ehh, move on to the 560.

[Jim B.]

www.oursl.com

www.slmarket.com

[cth350]

For a definative market value of a high end SL, you want the SL market letter, as the URL, above. -CTH

[Carlos Serrano]

Well the rest of the story, the owner change his mind about selling the SL,I looked at it, sat in it and started it, purrr like a kitten, the hard top never been removed since he own it and he do not think it's been off the car since new.I called him next day to set it up and the man told me he is going to keep the car.
Win some ,loose some.

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by 450slcguy

Actually the 6 cyl. is more desirable, dependable, and has as much or more hp. than the V8. Your car is a euro. market car and that makes it very desirable. $12,000 is reasonable in pristine low mileage condition. If it's a manual transmission, let's just say it's a very sought after vehicle.

Well for cars that have more HP and are lighter than a V8, they must be doing something wrong, because I'v never had a problem out running a 280SL.

John Roncallo

[ctaylor738]

Not that I would ever suggest an illegal contest for speed, but theoretically, if my 280SL 5-speed and your 560 were to go at it, where how far would your definition of "out run" go? Quarter mile? 0-60? Top speed? Running start?

[450slcguy]

Originally Posted by Roncallo

Well for cars that have more HP and are lighter than a V8, they must be doing something wrong, because I'v never had a problem out running a 280SL.

John Roncallo

Depends on what year and model SL your comparing. The poster was referring to a 1979 450SL rated 180 hp @ 4750 rpm. A comparable year 280SL rated at 185 hp @ 5800 rpm. Personally I'd choose the 280SL any day of the week, all things considered.

Now if your comparing running a 560SL to the 280SL, your probably correct in respects to performance. I'd still probably choose the 280SL, I just love that euro. engine performance and balance in an SL.

[450slcguy]

Originally Posted by ctaylor738

Not that I would ever suggest an illegal contest for speed, but theoretically, if my 280SL 5-speed and your 560 were to go at it, where how far would your definition of "out run" go? Quarter mile? 0-60? Top speed? Running start?

A 280SL 5-speed, Ooooh I want one so bad.

[MTUpower]

My indie just had a 79 450SL with less than 6000 miles in the shop. I dont think I've ever heard a better sounding V8. Obviously that car looked brand new. The daughter just had taken the protective sheets out of the passenger side floor. The father had passed away. I told her not to drive it anymore- she could buy mine if she wanted to drive a SL.