What are the "desirable" colors for the SL's?

[jr811]

I get a lot of "Thumbs Up" on my yellow" 79 450SL

Jim

[yeldogt]

I have heard all kinds of thoughts on this -- in europe you never see white cars -- in the US it has been the number one color for all cars for years and years.

When I went to get a 107 (560sl) in the early 90's - I started out looking for white car. I had a 72 350sl in brown in the late 70's.

I could not find one in the condition I wanted - I ended up with a perfect car in red. White /black/ red were the largest sellers in the 107.

Some people when buying a new car -- one they will use every day -- do not get red. White is safe - and the 107 looks good in white. Black is nice -- but what a pain!

My SL in Red -- People tell me all the time how sharp the car looks. The dealers tell me that red in the used market is very good -- because it is usually a second or third car!

Now if I was getting a new one -- I do not know if I would get red. Most likely not - even though I have two red cars!

[KenSilver]

I wonder how much of color is personal or cultural preference?

I read surveys every week which tells me that more white cars are bought than any other color in a particular country. But I wonder is that because they were the popular color for the country of manufacture, and only available in that color when exported?

Most Mercedes look good in any color, because you automatically compensate for the brand. Ditto Lambos or even a ghastly yellow Boxster I saw the other day. Very attention-getting, but the color suits them because of the personality of the vehicle.

I prefer the way black makes a car look sleeker and covers up style faults - the chunky look of the R129 being my particular gripe.

Black uplifts this shape magnificently.

Similarly the 107. My ex 350SL was a darkish green, which looked good, but my idol was a black 500SL from the MB brochure. That car looked stunning in a way that white wouldn't.

I framed it for my garage wall, picture below.

Black makes an imposing car more impressive. Think hi-powered executives and world leaders - they wouldn't dream of stepping out of a white limo or a red luxury car... the color has no presence in that situation.

In fact, if you look now at the best cars in the world - they are all muted colors, black or silver, or derivatives of those colors. The Maybach, new Rolls and Bentley GT's are mainly those colors.

Red is another story. When I speak to car importers in the 70's and 80's period, they all talk of increasing the R107's value by painting them fire engine red as soon as they hit the country. Must have been the Italian influence at the time. Even now you can accurately date a R107 in our country by this color.

At least black or silver doesn't date.

As for keeping black clean, that's the price you pay for getting a great shine... I wouldn't have it any other way!

Ken (black and) Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons: http://www.kensilver.com/SL
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey / grey leather, best in country!
~1992 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG / tan leather, wife's (soon to be replaced with a silver SLK)
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)

[ChasB]

Well I like my yellow one!

[KenSilver]

Originally posted by ChasB
Well I like my yellow one!

You're not alone Chas. In a book I have, "Ultimate Garages," one owner painted his Ferrari yellow because he preferred the colour to the original red!

And my 280E was yellow too, but my own preference is black.

Different strokes...

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons: http://www.kensilver.com/SL
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey / grey leather, best in country!
~1992 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG / tan leather, wife's (soon to be replaced with a silver SLK)
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)

[jjrodger]

Ultimate Garges is a great book, isn't it?

[KenSilver]

Originally posted by jjrodger
Ultimate Garges is a great book, isn't it?

No - it incites me to aspire to larger (read "more expensive") garage real estate... not to mention a larger fleet of gleaming collectibles!

This book is seriously seditious!

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons: http://www.kensilver.com/SL
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey / grey leather, best in country!
~1992 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG / tan leather, wife's (soon to be replaced with a silver SLK)
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice)

[Bruce Hat]

Pearl black with lighter grey moulding - tan interior.

[OB Joe]

My 88 560SL is white and that's the color I wanted. I think it is one of the classic colors of MB. The only thing I don't like about it is that white does not give a good reflection on it. Dark colors, well waxed, show the contrast well of reflected light and environment, however in the dark, black also mutes some of the cars lines. Red would be my second choice, it gives good highlights but would make me personally feel a little too self-conscious.

[95benzman]

Hi All
My 85-380SL is burgendy and beige. A nice combo the burgundy looks great after getting detailed. I think a light color interior is just right for a convertible. A black interior feels hot and looks hot.
As for my Sedan jet black with grey interior just perfect for a luxury sedan. Now my E320 Cabriolet Champagne silver with beige leather. Just right combo.
When I learn how to send pics Iwill show all three cars.
Happy driving.

Joe Moon
85-380SL-88k
94-E320Sedan-63k
95-E320 Cabriolet-62k

[Bruce Hat]

Latest picture of the SL. Pearl Black

[Mike G]

Bright red is the most desireable color here in the Chicago area.. I have owned a couple of 129s, (black and green) and my current bright red (1991) one gets more compliments that any of them.

On a nice summer day, top down, nothing looks like it.

MG

[luvmy84300sd]

When shopping for my R107 I was constantly finding cars that were sporting a white exterior. The color itself was fine but the biggest reason for not buying was the ghastly interior colors. They would always be coupled with either blue or burgundy interiors...and I don't think either look good on seats, console, carpets, and dashboards. I never came upon a car with white exterior and tan interior...which would have been fine. My car color is a medium brown (trying to find out the official name) with light (very light) tan interior and I love it.

Black..IMHO

[Momo]

Seems to depend on your location. When in South Africa recently, I noticed that fully half of all cars are white. SLs no exception.

According to my local dealer, among the early two-tone 129s, the least desireable are brown (smoke silver), blue and green. Red is in the middle, black and silver are easiest to sell. I didn't ask about the interior colors. They are all the same value on the "Eurotax" system.

A German colleague was shocked that I would even consider buying any MB that was not silver. (His wife works for MB. His and her cars are always silver outside, black inside, which I think is very boring.)

My SL is two-tone black with the brown interior. The E-Class is "Beige" in and out, while my forthcoming CLK will be Blue Tanzanite outside, beige inside.

Momo