'84 280sl

[oilyrag]

Curious about the value of a local 1984 280SL (Euro car?) with 54K miles and appears to be in near new condition. It has the hardtop. I would guess that parts would be a problem if it is a Euro version. He wants $8500. Please tell me he is way overpriced as I don't need another car just now.

[GermanMarque]

Hi,
If the vehicle was in Australia, it would sell for in excess of US$15,000.00, so I can't comment on it's US value. The 280SL is the same W107 body and running gear as the US V8's except for the square headlights, thin chrome bumpers and vacume headlight height adjustment. So mechanicals, ie brakes, suspension, body parts, glass are the same. The engine should be the inline six 110 motor, double overhead cam hemi motor. They are one of the most reliable engines produced by Mercedes, however do get a bit tappety with high miles, but just keep going. They last here for in excess of 250,000kms. If you own a Euro, you need two workshop manuals, one for the W107 body and one for the 110 engine. If it'a a manual, you'll find it's no performace machine, but they are hauling some serious weight. They ride firmer and handle better than the US 8's and use less gas and hence are more fun to drive. The auto's are marginally slower, but on personal opinion, I'd have to say a 280SL with the 5 speed box is the closest you will get to a Mercedes Sports car. Wish it was over here for that price.

[1984 280SL]

Originally Posted by oilyrag

Curious about the value of a local 1984 280SL (Euro car?) with 54K miles and appears to be in near new condition. It has the hardtop. I would guess that parts would be a problem if it is a Euro version. He wants $8500. Please tell me he is way overpriced as I don't need another car just now.

If it is great shape as it should be with 54K miles it is a good deal in my opinion. I have two of these Euro 280SLs. Love em - Mercedes screwed up big time by not offering it in the States. If it has a manual 5 speed it is a wonderful car - if automatic I personally would pass. They drive and handle great for that era of auto. Before you buy check around to various independent repair shops on taking professional care of that - I have been blessed with having the same guy for the past 19yrs. My 1980 has been very economical to own over 19 yrs. It has only been in the shop overnight once in that time and dead on the road once due to fuel pump relay. With 170K miles on it the motor, drive train, exhaust system, shocks and clutch have never been touched except for a every 15k Valve adjust. My 1984 has 74K miles on it now and is in great shape also - only owed it for 5 months or so but has become my daily driver. They are some of the best cars Mercedes ever built and those days are gone sad to say. Own a classic and be happy. Where do you live by the way - Maybe I will buy it if you do not.

[oilyrag]

Originally Posted by 1984 280SL

Own a classic and be happy. Where do you live by the way - Maybe I will buy it if you do not.

I'm in Northern Arizona. The car does have an automatic. Will give it more thought. If I don't go for it, I would be happy to give you all the info on it.
O.

I've been looking at the 280SL market recently, and the few that I have seen in ads that are in reasonably good shape, ones with milage between 100+K to 150+K, are commanding anywhere between $4500 to $7000.

I looked briefly at other 107 SL's, some that featured 60K to around 80K were commanding $10,000 to $14,000. I think I remember seeing one that had 40K or 50K asking $17,000 Don't know if they'll get that!

While my brief search was just that, brief, a more exhaustive search for a more accurate market may yield better results. But based on my short look, $8,500 for an A-1 280SL with 54K seems to me to be a pretty good price, and who know's maybe an offer for less money, they may take!

I would consider this price to be very reasonable, pending a survey of the car!

Good luck...........BB

[KirkVining]

Why the prejudice against automatics? I love my 280SL auto. Myself, I think that car is priced about right. Real nice ones are hard to find. I haven't had any problems on parts or getting it worked on, at least not here in Houston. One word of warning - a lot of those cars had the Euro speedo changed out when they arrive from overseas to mph gauges, and the miles may not be right if the car was brought over as a used car. If it was shipped direct from MB to an Arizona grey-market dealer, you are probably ok, and that should show up on a carfax.

[GermanMarque]

Why the prejudice against automatics. No prejudice, manuals are just rarer and more fun to drive, once you get used to the knack of starting off in first with the unusually wooden accelerator pedal! The other thing is alot of people get a shock to see a stick shift in a Merc, so for novelty value it's unusual. Anyway builds muscles in your free hand for when something needs a fixin! It's like why they put the ignition switch on the left side of the steering wheel, just different I suppose. They call Volkswagens Hitlers Revenge, I'm not so sure.

[1984 280SL]

Originally Posted by GermanMarque

Why the prejudice against automatics. No prejudice, manuals are just rarer and more fun to drive, once you get used to the knack of starting off in first with the unusually wooden accelerator pedal! The other thing is alot of people get a shock to see a stick shift in a Merc, so for novelty value it's unusual. Anyway builds muscles in your free hand for when something needs a fixin! It's like why they put the ignition switch on the left side of the steering wheel, just different I suppose. They call Volkswagens Hitlers Revenge, I'm not so sure.

What is a "unusually wooden accelerator pedal" ? Don't understand. No prejudice against Autos - manuals are more fun I agree. I usually take off in 2nd gear unless it is uphill and push it all the way to 45MPH till I shift. Love the sound change at 3000 rpm. Manual tranny also gives me instant acceleration and if I want to push it to red line I can. The 280 motor can take a lot of abuse in fact I think it like being rev'd up there often.

My vote is for the manual. Thats the one i own.
The only problem i have is dealing with the hills
in San francisco. As there is no hand break on
the left wheel version it can be kinda nasty when you
get stuck behind someone on a steep hill.

Never thought of starting out in second. I this a practice
that can be detrimental to the car??

steve '84 280sl 5 speed. 182k

[ctaylor738]

That's a good price if the car is in good shape. Parts have not been a problem for me. The M110 engine was offered in several US cars. German Star in AZ has handled all my parts with quickly and efficiently.

This forum has a bunch of other posts on these cars relative to the 380's.

[GermanMarque]

What I mean by "wooden accelerator pedal" is the unusually hard pedal and the angle of the pedal to get the right amount of throttle, either don't press hard enough and it stalls or a little too much . Just different from your normal local cars. The fact you can't hear the engine doesn't help. Is there an adjustment for the pedal angle? No handbrake in the console? Need three legs to drive it and on the wrong side of the road too!

[1984 280SL]

Originally Posted by steve c.

.

Never thought of starting out in second. I this a practice
that can be detrimental to the car??

steve '84 280sl 5 speed. 182k

Should not have any effect -- remember I said if I am not going up hill. Flat or down hill is pretty easy on the car - just do not give it much gas till the clutch is fully engaged.

[1984 280SL]

Originally Posted by GermanMarque

No handbrake in the console? Need three legs to drive it and on the wrong side of the road too!

Maybe my early cars of my teenage years -- 1930, 55 , 56 Chevys all manuals helped me drive a manual tranny with 2 legs.

I have noticed my 1980 280SL accelerator pedal is very easy to press - my 1984 280SL is quite a bit harder to press. Weird. Same car. But I will try to find the difference and get them the same.