1985 500SL Price ????

[Doug41]

Looking weds at a this car with 54k, leather, but being the 500SL, it's the european version. How do these price differently than the non-imports? They're asking $17,500.

Any other differences in these cars mechanically?

How's their resale value?

[ericdee]

Doug,

I have a 83 500SL and love it with the heated seats, smaller euro bumpers, euro headlights, the bigger 5 litter motor over the 380SL US model, would not own a US model. Never the less with all that said 17.5k seems a bit on the high side, for that kind of money you could get a US 560SL which would be a saver bet on the resell, some people think of grey market cars as a nightmare to resell. Do check the VIN number before you buy.

Here is a link were you can read up on the Euro SLs (http://www.107sl-club.de/), it's in German, so here's a link for a translator (http://babel.altavista.com/tr)
Also there is one with 56k miles in the Los Angeles area for 15.5k Blk/Tan. Please, feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

-Eric

[Doug41]

Saw the car - great condition - had the rear seat, too.

Question - did all eauropean models have the single square headlight? this one had the two headlights - caught me by surprise. Everything else looked good. No AC, brakes a little weak, non-original radio that fades out. engine clean - roof clean but looks original. Value?

[ericdee]

Doug,

Here is a list of 500's for sale, could not find any 300's.
On the lights, yes all euro SL lights were square.

Hope this helps on your search.

-Eric

Source: http://www.autotrader.com

1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SL
1985 500SL MERCEDES BENZ ROADSTER, extremely rare, 14000 original miles, 2 tops, kinder seat, storage holder, every conceiveable option, many amg ... more
14000 miles, $36000 Private Seller

1986 Mercedes-Benz 500SL
1986 MERCEDES BENZ 500SL, 59000 miles, new soft top, garage kept, original paint, very clean, hate to sell, I need a bigger CAR, $16500, days ... more
59000 miles, $16500 Private Seller

1984 Mercedes-Benz 500SL
ConvertibleExcellent ConditionNew Black Soft TopHard Top with Storage StandNew Stereo/CD SystemNew Alarm SystemNew Michelin Tires
Color: Charcoal
86400 miles, $15500
E-mail Seller Private Seller

1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SL LEATHER
1985 MERCEDES 500SL,LAPIS BLUE/GREY LEATHER,DK BLUE SOFT TOP,POLISHED FACTORY ALLOYS C/D,HARDTOP,SERVICE RECORDS,EPA/DOT CERTIFICATES,EXCELLENT ... more
Color: Blue
83937 miles, $14995

1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SL Convertible
This classic SL is a Euro version equipped with the very powerful 5.0-liter V-8 engine. It is Signal Red with Creme Beige Leather and a new Beige ... more
Color: Red
101800 miles, $14900
E-mail Seller Madsen Motor Company
View Inventory

1984 Mercedes-Benz 500SL
Grey market car. 17" rims with low profile tires. Both tops. Great for Summer cruising. Very fast, runs perfect. Recent tune up and new alternator.
Color: Black
126000 miles, $12500

1982 Mercedes-Benz 500SL
Convertible for sale!!! V8, Power Windows, Automatic, Heated Seats, New Tires, Just Serviced, Garage Kept, European Bumpers, Less Than 64,000 ... more
Color: Gold
64000 miles, $12500

1983 Mercedes-Benz 500SL
1983 MERCEDES BENZ 500SL, convt, silver, V8, at, 2 tops, 140K miles, ac, pw, pdl, pm, am/fm stereo, one owner, extra clean, $10,500,
Color: Silver
$11900 Private Seller

1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SL
1985, MERCEDES BENZ, 500SL, $11700, leather, CD player, beautifully maintained, power pkg., , $11700 Madrid Motors

1983 Mercedes-Benz 500SL
MERCEDES 500SL 1983 red, pw, pb, both tops, heated seats, cd player, 152k, $11,500.
$11500 Private Seller

1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SL
1985 MERCEDES BENZ 500SL, 2 dr. convertible, automatic transmission, AC, power steering, power brakes, power windows, cruise control, cassette, CD, ... more
$8500 Private Seller

1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SL
85 MERCEDES BENZ 500SL, long wheelbase, grey w/grey leather, new tires, new air conditioning, all options, 142000 miles, $8200,

1983 Mercedes-Benz 500SL
1983 MERCEDES BENZ 500SL, at, pw, pdl, ac, 12 disc changer, 2 tops, ble on blue, 116k mi, new tires, top, paint, int, exh, front susp, mint cond, ... more
Color: Blue Private Seller

1982 Mercedes-Benz 500SL
Color: Silver
90000 miles, $12900 Private Seller


1982 Mercedes-Benz 500SL
Color: Gray
83000 miles, $8300

At one time, before the US D.O.T. relaxed its sealed beam headlight rules, I believe that grey market cars imported into the States had to have D.O.T.-compliant headlights installed. Another innocent explanation may be that the P.O. got tired of replacing headlight lenses! There are, of course, other possible less innocent explanations.

ericdee, there is nothing wrong with the 380SL. I have an '81. I love it. If I want to get a little more sporty, I take the LT4 vette. Each car is tops in its field as far as I am concerned. Also, I did the double row chain conversion myself. I learned a great deal about the car. With high gas prices, I am glad I have the little 380 for some of my trips.

[mtenney]

Originally Posted by ericdee

Doug,

I have a 83 500SL and love it with the heated seats, smaller euro bumpers, euro headlights, the bigger 5 litter motor over the 380SL US model, would not own a US model. Never the less with all that said 17.5k seems a bit on the high side, for that kind of money you could get a US 560SL which would be a saver bet on the resell, some people think of grey market cars as a nightmare to resell. Do check the VIN number before you buy.

Here is a link were you can read up on the Euro SLs (http://www.107sl-club.de/), it's in German, so here's a link for a translator (http://babel.altavista.com/tr)
Also there is one with 56k miles in the Los Angeles area for 15.5k Blk/Tan. Please, feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

-Eric

I have a 1983 500SL Euro grey market car.I need the owners manual.Can you help.If you have one I would gladly pay for some sort of copy.Thanks for any help

[ericdee]

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