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

[prprjp]

Just curious, I see quite a bit of variation in selling prices of the R107's on eBay. Are any of the color variations more "desirable" (read valuable) than others?

Thanks, Ryan

[spinedoc]

I have read that red is actually less desireable, but not based on hard facts. I would think people like the neutral colors like grey/silver, black and gold.

[450sl4me]

I think that red and black are generally the more desirable colors. I also think that it's less of an issue with the newer SL's (129's) than with some of the older models. MB had some hideous color combos in the 70's, browns, oranges, etc.

Though not directly on point, I would suggest that eBay prices can vary for a bunch of reasons besides color; no two cars, nor two auctions, are alike. If there happen to be two guys really psyched for a particular car, it can drive the price up for just competetive reasons, like on the Jackson-Barrett TV show. Maybe one seller has maint. records, or has great feedback, or will deliver the car, whatever.

Anyway, mine is silver-blue, obviously the best color!

[KenSilver]

According to some dealer talkback I heard, white stays on the yard longer than any other color.

Black and silver are always in fashion.

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)

[elau]

Ouch!! KenSilver, mine is white.

Just kidding. I think with the R129, red is the most undesirable color. The car just doesn't look good in red.

However, smoke silver is probably the most sort after color.

[KenSilver]

Originally posted by elau
[B]Ouch!! KenSilver, mine is white...

Don't shoot the messenger, elau!

I think that regardless of the color, if the car is cared for, that makes a huge difference. My MB shop owner has an immaculate 87 560SL in a funny (to me) factory turquoise color. But because of its condition I would buy it on the spot.

Ken Silver

[G-Benz]

Originally posted by elau
However, smoke silver is probably the most sort after color.

Silver is the classic MB roadster color from the "silver arrow" racing era...even though the original wasn't actually silver, but bare metal since the paint was ground off in order to meet its class weight restrictions.

And mine is white...but in Texas, white is the color of choice for ANY vehicle simply because of its heat reflective capabilities!

And the exterior/interior color combo has more to do with desirability than just paint color...

[Robert Mowbray]

I do not know about "desirable" either, but in 1979, anthracite grey metallic cost an extra $561.

[jjrodger]

Silver and black metallic are probably the most desireable in the UK right now. White is very hardwork to shift here (we haven't got the light levels to make white look good). All dark metallics are popular, too.

The least desireable colours in the UK are the whacky ones: designo orange or bright green metallic, white, and red. I was told that smoke silver was unpopular by a dealer in the UK, but he was trying to persuade me to take his blue car over the smoke silver car I eventually bought. For those of you who don't think red looks good, check this:

[Robert Mowbray]

Is that FERRARI red?

[CDNC36AMG]

Here in Canada, a red 129 is very, very tough to sell. I've see red ones stay at dealers for 1 to 2 years. White is not far behind.

As above, silver and black always sell here.

Personally, I like the white but the colour on the red and blue just don't look natural to me.

Recently I saw an advertised Porsche 911 in my area with an asking price about $30,000 below what I would have expected. It was a special factory purple/fushia cross....nasty, just nasty.

[KenSilver]

Originally posted by CDNC36AMG
Recently I saw an advertised Porsche 911 in my area with an asking price about $30,000 below what I would have expected. It was a special factory purple/fushia cross....nasty, just nasty.

There's a buck to be made there... a good repaint for $5,000 and you've made $25,000 - even more if the color is desirable!

Ken Silver.

[jjrodger]

Robert: it is magma red, looking better than I have ever seen it.

Interestingly MB used red cars in its sales literature from about 1996. There are some fantastic Clint Clemens shots of a red SL in motion in the 1996 to 1997 brochure. They also used silver and black. Most recently MB used a red car and a zircon green car in the last R129 SL brochures.

[sublettd]

I am admittedly biased, but my personal favorite is the classic Mercedes 'signal' red. It also happens to be the color of my SL.

I very seldom have the car out that someone doesn't come over and strike up a conversation about its color and condition. As my son said when he was driving me over to take the first look at it, "Dad, this car is a head-turner." He was right.

Also, one of my most memorable experiences occurred last summer when my wife and I were out in it. We were stopped at a traffic light and I heard this loud voice say, "Nice car!!!" I looked around to try and figure where it was coming from. As I looked behind and to the right, I saw a Deputy Sheriff putting his microphone away and giving us a big smile. Made my day.