I have been offered a 1989 Mercedes 420SL. It is in pristine condition, has only 35000 miles on it and has a full service history at one of the Glasgow MB dealerships - in the last 10 years some years it covered only 200 or 300 miles between services. I appreciate that this era of Merc is when they were building them to withstand a nuclear explosion, but how to value it? The owner is looking to sell up everything to move into a retirement home and hasn't set a price. The car is in dark metallic blue with cream leather, it has a hard top and the soft top is perfect and the electrics all work, car is a runner and even though it never goes anywhere has been maintained regardless of cost. My big worry is that it was built at a time when electronics were just starting to become common in cars and I woud dread to think how costly/ difficult it would be to replace an early Merc ECU. I have always fancied one of these R129 SL's but being single and already owning 2 cars I have to really justify this one 2018 Mini Countryman Cooper S E All4 PHEV in Melting Silver - it’s whisper quiet in EV and polluter modes

Is it one like this Tim........

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1986010.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_R107_and_C107

Wish it were as that style is "the" classic Merc SL, what I've been offered is the next generation, the first of the "modern" SL's, not that dis-similar from today's cars. 2018 Mini Countryman Cooper S E All4 PHEV in Melting Silver - it’s whisper quiet in EV and polluter modes

Don't be fooled by the low mileage mirage. It means nothing when a car is that sort of age and, in truth, can be more of a problem if the car hasn't been used regularly. As you may know, Audi quattros are 'my thing' and I wouldn't buy one with such a low mileage unless it was to put in a museum.

Cars need to be driven, bushes need to be flexed, fuel and brake lines need movement within. Everything on that car is 20+ years old whether it's done 35k or 350k miles. The tyres were probably fitted before the L322 came into being and will be more of a liability now than anything else.

Unless it's something you really want and have a deep personal mechanical knowledge of,..... I'd suggest you avoid it or pay the same as a high miler!!!

Edit: Besides, they are fugly compared to a proper SL.  The older I get, the more I realise that people confuse wrinkles for wisdom

JMC wrote:

Edit: Besides, they are fugly compared to a proper SL.

I liked these SLs when they first came out in 89 but like most prefer the 107 and pagodas more.

Saying that if the price is right i would think it is worth £5000-6000 to have sitting around if clean etc... Mileage wouldnt make me pay silly amounts extra as JMC says as lack of use can sometimes be as troublesome as regular use.


If it is going to be alot more i would use the budget for a 107 SL to be used on sunny Sunday mornings etc...

They remind me of Hart to Hart in the 80s

Tim, I would expect the 420sl to book in around 18k subject to the bodywork being in good order, and there is no pitting on the bumpers or rust under the wheel arches. Over the 27year production life of the W107 1989 was the last year of production and also the most desirable, as post 86 the front spoiler was updated and the 'whale' bonnet was introduced. Make sure that the car has the 18 hole alloys and a colour coded hard top as theses are about 3k to buy now.

Wouldn't worry about running costs or electrics, these cars can be used as everyday cars. The later W129s are a nightmare with regards to electrics and this is reflected in the prices.....

I've had my 420sl for 12 years now and its probably more reliable than the FFRR !

PM me if you need any further info.

Cheers 2005 Audi A8 W12
1978 Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9
1986 Mercedes 420 SL 4.2

Mapmuppet i dont think it is a 107 but the later less desirable and valuable W129

Mmmmm. They never made a W129 420 SL  2005 Audi A8 W12
1978 Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9
1986 Mercedes 420 SL 4.2

I know but i assume Tim has put the wrong engine size in and probally meant the 320 as he does state in his posts that he wished it was the 107 and not the 129