560sl with power soft top?

[bobby2679]

I have been beginning my search for a decent 560sl to buy, I'm still probably a few months away, unless an absolute steal comes along. I am the former proud owner of a 78 450sl. Anyway, I have been watching the cars for sale in various places, including ebay. Recently in the ebay sold listings was a 1989 560sl from Florida that looked like it was in very good shape, 106,000 miles, that sold for $6113.00, which seems like a fairly low price for the car, even without the mechanical history. What really caught my eye was when I was looking at the many pictures of the car, there was an extra button on the center console, just below the radio. Then I read in the description, "Rare power top"! I have never heard of a 107 with a power top-was this an aftermarket job? So, I really have two questions, does anyone know the story on these power tops and doesn't this sound like a steal, $6100 for a 560sl with a great body, new top, decent interior, 106,000 miles and the power top? This is my first post, I'll try posting the link below:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-MERCEDES-BENZ-560SL-ROADSTER-1-OWNER-FL-CAR-NO-RES_W0QQitemZ170202456013QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item170202456013

[ScottinSoCal]

Originally Posted by bobby2679

Then I read in the description, "Rare power top"! I have never heard of a 107 with a power top-was this an aftermarket job? So, I really have two questions, does anyone know the story on these power tops

A company made a power top aftermarket kit for the 107. Rumor has it that they were prone to catastrophic failure (trunk fires) and parts to repair them are no longer available.

[peter serbanica]

I have installed many tops on the 107. Only one had a power top. You still have to unlatch front. The system took up about 30% of the trunk.

[dugald]

Strange, this one looks to have a regular trunk.

[rivermasternc]

Originally Posted by dugald

Strange, this one looks to have a regular trunk.

Except the large box in the trunk on the left hand side.

AutoCheck shows the car spent its first 38,000 miles in New York. Moved to St. Pete in 1996 and West Palm in 2003. Auto auction at 106,301 miles on 03/06/2008.

What's dripping profusely from the mid engine/tranny area?

Probably not a bad price.

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by rivermasternc

Except the large box in the trunk on the left hand side.

AutoCheck shows the car spent its first 38,000 miles in New York. Moved to St. Pete in 1996 and West Palm in 2003. Auto auction at 106,301 miles on 03/06/2008.

What's dripping profusely from the mid engine/tranny area?

Probably not a bad price.

I paid $13,500 for one like that with the same mileage 3.5 years ago, and it didn't have a power roof. They really are dropping in price. The drip is probably a head gasket.

John Roncallo

[bobby2679]

Now that I look at the ebay listing again, I see that the auction ended early to sell to the highest bidder. I am not an ebay expert, but I wonder if he sold it for the $6100+ some cash on the side. It did sell for less than they have been going for, usually one like this would get between $8-11,000. The prices seem to be creeping up recently, probably because we're getting closer to summer. Either way, it was interesting to see one with a power top. I wonder if the top is really a liability, if it fails, are you stuck with an inoperable top?

[Mistress]

I'm going to look at an 86' 560 SL this evening, wish me luck....