I am looking at a '83 380sl in excellent condition. 97K. Owned by the mechanic specializing in mercedes who did a top end rebuild, transmission has been fixed in the last year or two, newer a/c, newer shocks. I checked several sites and the price seems to be all over the place. So what do you guys think is a good price to offer? Are there any caveat with this model? It also had the dual timing chain upgrade. Thanks in advance.

John

What's he asking for it?

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Eric, 1983 500 SL

It is tough to do this without seeing the car or at least pictures, color, interior, etc.

From what I have observed of ASKING PRICES, this car is in what is sort of a transition zone. Your basic presentable 107 starts out at about $5000 with 150K miles and climbs to about $12000 where you start to get very nice cars with around 75K miles. Then as mileage decreases, you head for the mid-teen$ at 35K-50K. After that, you get the really low mileage cars all the up into the $30K range.

So at 97K on a very nice example, $7500 - $10000 depending on originality, color, leather, and local market conditions.

There are a lot of nice cars around, so don't be afraid to pass if you don't feel good about the price.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

Make sure you avoid a financial disaster. A guy I
know looked at at 450sl which was advertised as
top condition. Purchase price was about $12K.
Minor looking rust under the trunk turned out to
be severe. Paint was marginal, soft top frame
was junk. $10K to bring it up to nice shape
except that a couple of poor shop choices were
made. So $15K more, really, and it is not even
worth $15K.
Get the car checked by an independant person
who knows them. Get the best you can afford.
If you can't afford the best one, you should wait.
If you settle for a fixer-upper, you will spend
(much) more than the best one sells for.

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VR
1967 250SL

The car is very nice. Interior is very nice. No crack dash, leather and paint are very good. It looks pretty flawless. Not concourse though. He is my mechanic and fixes my ML320 and specialized in rebuilding/fixing mercedes. He also has a 280sl in similar condition with most everything repaired. He is asking for the mid teen's for each. Let me know what you guys think.

John

John

P.S. The 380sl is a gold color with tan leather. The 280sl is white with blue interior, I think. He is a pretty good mechanic. Very expensive though. He is the only one that fixes these car well in my small town .

John
College Station, TX

I belive in general that the 280 Sl's go for a lot more than a 380 in simular condition and would guess will be worth more down the road not sure about driveabilty between the two as have never driven a 280 I drove a 190 SL quiet a few miles and though fun was a bit truck like as far as handling and comfort......
William Rogers.......