What's a Fair Price for an 84 280SL 5 speed?

[rs899]

I stumbled across one at a repair shop down the road. Turns out, the owner wants to sell it and wants about $5500. I drove it around the block- seems to run well.

It needs:

Paint
Seats
A/C fixed

Has less than 100K miles. Euro lights/bumpers. I didn't see any rust other than a little on the front edge of one of the rockers. I didn't do a full tear-the-carpets out and check the trunk inspection (yet). It's pretty tatty and needs cosmetics for certain. Don't know yet if it needs anything serious like a front end rebuild or valve work, but nothing was obvious from the brief drive experience.

My wife is getting tired of her 300D and wants a sporty car, so she is interested in these. Problem is she can't drive a stick and I hate automatics. For me, this would be the car to buy if the price is right, but I sense that it isn't. I just happen to have a good pair of R107 seats (yeah, no car though) and I can paint the car myself.

If this were a 450SL, I would think it would be worth about $3-4000 in this condition- is the M110/5 speed combo worth the premium he is asking?

Rick

[dugald]

I don't think the 280 brings a premium.

[ctaylor738]

A five-speed is better than a four-speed, but the most people want their 107's with automatics, and most buyers are afraid of gray market cars. So in a car like this, it's not much of a premium.

I'm sure you're aware that a neglected car is bound to have other issues. Be sure to check the soft top for tears, and its hatch and compartment for rust.

I think you're right in your assessment that it's a 3-4K car and knock a grand off that if it needs a top.

[450slcguy]

Originally Posted by ctaylor738

A five-speed is better than a four-speed, but the most people want their 107's with automatics, and most buyers are afraid of gray market cars. So in a car like this, it's not much of a premium.

I must disagree. A 280SL w/5 speed is extremely desirable amongst many 107 enthusiast. It gets very good MPG compared to a 450 or 560Sl, and the 5 speed really makes it a much "sportier" ride for those who appreciate the manual transmission.

A low mileage 280SL w/5 speed with no rust, nice paint and interior, and low mileage will bring a strong price ($7000+) if it has been maintained properly.

Ones that needs the typical 107 suspension, steering, A/C, and mechanical rehab should still be in the $4-5,000 range if the body and interior are in VG condition.

If you can get the car for $3-4k, jump on it. But be prepared to spend a few grand more no matter what. Also be aware that certain parts might be difficult to source because it's a euro model.

[ctaylor738]

Well, I do speak from some experience, having bought and sold seven 107's, including three 280SL's, two of which were 5-speeds, over the past ten years. They aren't sporty enough to appeal to the zoom-zoom market, and only a thin slice of the Mercedes market wants a stick shift. So the market for these cars is quite small. Low mileage and condition (and cold AC) are what attract 107 buyers at least in the DC area.

A key point is "in a car like this." In a needy 107, I think the 5-speed is neutral to the value. In a better car, maybe a positive. In a really nice car, definitely a big plus.

Personally, I would like to have another 5-speed, but I wouldn't pay more than $3K for one that needs paint, interior, AC, and who knows what else.

With the online EPC, parts are not a problem. You look up the number and the dealer orders it.

[450slcguy]

Originally Posted by ctaylor738

Well, I do speak from some experience, having bought and sold seven 107's, including three 280SL's, two of which were 5-speeds, over the past ten years. They aren't sporty enough to appeal to the zoom-zoom market, and only a thin slice of the Mercedes market wants a stick shift. So the market for these cars is quite small. Low mileage and condition (and cold AC) are what attract 107 buyers at least in the DC area.

While my Mercedes experience hasn't been as vast as yours, I believe you underestimate the desire for 5-speed 107's.

While perhaps the majority of US 107 SL owners wanted an automatic (no other choice offered), that "thin slice" of people you speak of has a much thinner choice of manual 107 vehicles available to them. I would venture to say there's less a dozen 107 5-speeds for sale in this country at any one time. Probably less a few hundred in the N. America.

Amongst the 107 owners on this forum, I'd venture to say that nearly half of them would gladly swap their automatic 107 for a comparable 5-speed model.

Certainy would make an interesting poll to find out for sure though.

[ctaylor738]

Well said.

The problem is that while there may be only a few 107 5-speeds for sale at any given time, there are even fewer people like us who will to buy them at a decent price. You can get good money for a clean low-mileage US 107 because more people want them.

I have spent thousands of dollars learning the lesson that the buying public's tastes are not the same as mine. As Charlie Hart put it, a rare car that no one wants is just an oddity.

[jplinville]

Unless the desire for the 5-speed comes from someone in the 5'5" height range and lower, I can't see that many people with a desire for it. Let's face it, the 107 wasn't made for people who have some height to them.

I'm slightly over 6' tall and have difficulty with my large and long legs with my 107...but I'd never get rid of it due to height issues. i love my 560sl too much! LOL

[nobby]

Originally Posted by 450slcguy

Also be aware that certain parts might be difficult to source because it's a euro model.

The only difficult thing to source on a Euro is a dealer willing to cooperate.

[nobby]

Originally Posted by jplinville

Unless the desire for the 5-speed comes from someone in the 5'5" height range and lower, I can't see that many people with a desire for it.

Huh?
Maybe you need to drive one.
Or maybe my 5'11" is just a tall 5'5" er.

[coleyjf]

Originally Posted by jplinville

Unless the desire for the 5-speed comes from someone in the 5'5" height range and lower, I can't see that many people with a desire for it. Let's face it, the 107 wasn't made for people who have some height to them.

I'm slightly over 6' tall and have difficulty with my large and long legs with my 107...but I'd never get rid of it due to height issues. i love my 560sl too much! LOL

I'm 6'4" and with a smaller steering wheel I have no problems - in fact anyone who has a problem with getting in and out should try changing the wheel.

On the topic of value of stick shift 280's I can't speak from experience as I'm over the pond BUT I've seen many people on this forum who have searched for Euro Stick shift 107's - plus if it is a true Euro ( without the US emmissions control) it WILL be a spritely drive, my UK 300SL ( I know it's a bit bigger but not that much more power and only an Auto) has more "GO" than a US 4xxSL model.

It all depends of what you find "underneath the surface" on a car like this, subframe - floor - engine - trunk - AC etc -and from Rick's original post it sounds like he's well up to a thorough check on that.

Cheers

Jim

[popscat]

are you interested in a 450sl 136k on her needs a little work, if interested pm me. oh it is a 1977

[rs899]

OK guys- didn't mean to start a food fight.

SWMBO weighed in and nixed the 5 speed so, unless I want to sleep in the garage I will probably pass on this one. We did see/drive an automatic 280SL a few months ago and I was not impressed. Frankly, as much as I love MB diesels and sedans , an SL is not my cuppa anyway (note the Britcars in my sig). I may fall into a local 450SL or something like that, since the slushbox is a given. But I have plenty of cars now anyway...

Rick

[Steve C]

I won't even propose the group to estimate
the fmv of my sl that has 192,000 miles on the clock.
It has some cosmetic issues and needs an extra qt of
oil every 1,000 miles.

Neverthelsss even though I bought my beast 12 years ago with 148k miles and paid in the mid five figures for it I have no regrets. My beast has required no mechanical replacements except for the rubber hangers that hold up the exhaust assembly.

A test drive in this car does not give justice to owning one and driving it under different conditions. Frankly
my initial road test was a dissapointment but after the purchase I realized that the performance was especially
rewarding in the lower gears. Once you shift into fourth it might as well be an automatic.

Sturg

[hanno]

We purchased a 83 280SL 5 spd 2-3 years ago. Wouldn't have given it a second glance without the maunal trans. Drove it home (2000 miles). It was pristine and perfect cosmetically. We changed all the original rubber bits, bushings, discs, shocks, brakes, etc. underneath and now rides better than new (its firmed up a bit). Its way to good for a dailly driver. For $4-5000 I'd buy another for that in a heartbeat.