hello everyone,

TOday my friend and I were driving home from work, and he happened to spot an older mercedes at a kia dealership here in southern california. I turned around and passed by to get a look at it. From what I could see it was a 2 seater, kinda looked like my 83 300d but only 2 seats, hard top, and it had the 2 headlights per side on the front, and a big mercedes emblem in the center of the grill. I called the dealer, and they told me that it was gas, and that it was an 88.

My question is, could it be an 88 or is it older? I thought that the round headlights were faded out in like 85 or 86. They also told me they wanted 12 grand for it. Reason I ask is because if it is older, maybe I could talk them down because at least from driving by it looked pretty nice.

anyone know about these?

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1983 300DT 284k miles. :-) "The Benzo"
1998 Mustang GT Custom 4.9 L engine.
1997 Dodge ram Pickup 5.9L

sounds like an SL model

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'83 240D 264k on 100% biodiesel/ 31mpg
83 300D 217K the $800 gem
'82 300D 267K the new WVO project car finished and driving for free
International tractor B275 on B100
Ford 555 backhoe on B100
Sargent 25 ton Rough Terrain crane on B50

Sounds like an R107. Had double headlights similar to the 123's, although a much smaller and "fleeter" dimension. If it was 1988 it would have been a 560SL. Last year for the 107 was 1989, when it went to the 129, which looks more like a sporty 124.

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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

if it was a 560sl are they descent cars?

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1983 300DT 284k miles. :-) "The Benzo"
1998 Mustang GT Custom 4.9 L engine.
1997 Dodge ram Pickup 5.9L

Yes, if you get a good one. '89 was the last year for them and '88 is virtually identical, and most of them have led easy lives. If it's a lifetime California car it's likely rust free.and Seating might be a little cramped if you are a big guy. Same cautions apply as if you are buying any used Mercedes; best to have a prepurchase inspection done. If it is sitting on a Kia dealer lot, you'd wonder how it got there, and also, there probably won't be records with it, as most dealers throw them away, citing "privacy" concerns.

You will need to buy a hardtop hoist for it, as the hardtop is removeable. The 560SL has a 0-60 time of 7.1 seconds, so it's a lot quicker than the diesels of its era. They were heavy, and more of a cruiser than a sports car, and were known as "Panzerwagens". They are robust cars and should last a very long time.

See also: www.oursl.com and www.slmarket.com for a little bit more, and the SL section on the forum here.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)