My Mom has a 1979 280SL w/ hardtop that is in interesting condition. My Dad had rebuilt it for her in a sort of "resto-driver" sort of way. Their intention was to have it be her summer toy/driver but about 3 months after finishing it he passed away in a car accident. My mom had wrist surgery and can't operate the top by herself (Strange screw cams and requires to much 2 handed force) as well as the small driveability issues have resulted in it sitting for 4 years with me starting it 4-5 times a year when I'm down there and changing the oil 1x a year while it sits in her storage garage.
2.8L non-smog Straight 6 4 speed Auto Blue/blue/blue. The CIS unit needs rebuilt (Runs, drives but the o-rings leak down causing a hard start condition when hot). It's rust free, Fresh Non-OEM light blue paint (Garage job so some minor defects but it looks snazy and is in good shape), New Tires and overall in good shape. Hardtop w/ hoist and Brand new Fabric Softtop. The interior is a little rough with Non OEM seat upholstry and a few missing trim pieces and a cracked dash. It's doing her or the car no good to have it sit there and just get old. If I had no projects I'd enjoy tinkering with it but I don't have that situation and it's not high on my list so it needs to leave.
I've given so much background on the car because I feel it's difficult to determine what the car is about without it.
We've listed it a few ways, Newspaper, Work BBs, Craigslist and get basically 2 types of people looking at it. Those that want a "collectible" and would spend ~7-10K+ for one if it was in original shape and those that want to spend <$2K for a "project". This car is neither of those and she'd like somewhere in between. What's a guy to do to unload this car?
FWIW I'm honestly not trying to secretly list it on GRM/CM for a price over the Limit. If people feel this is what's Happening I will delete this post. I really do just want some guidance on places to list a car like this for sale. The main outlets I can find seem to cater to 1 of the two people we have no problem finding. We need to find someone looking for a well priced limited work required weekend cruiser.
How about peach parts? Pelican runs it for Mercedes owners, so it works about the same as the Pelican forums.
I'm sure it's out of my budget, but digitals are almost free. Can you put up pictures anyway?
Thanx, Dan
Craigslist, eBay, or submit it to one of the many car ad websites like Daily Turismo, Barn Finds, BAT, etc and maybe one will run it.
I second the idea to run it on Peach Parts, or possibly the Mercedes Owner's forum.
It sounds like a decent car, just needs to find the right owner. Things might pick up when it gets warm too.
Good luck, we'd love to have an SL someday, but with no backseat it's not on our list right now.
Okay, I'll be the one to say it:
Please post a photo of the car.
From the sound of it if someone wants to pay $1500 for it for a project it would be a good idea to take it. I haven't owned a car with that engine, but from what I understand they are very difficult to get to pass emissions testing, and if it has CIS problems it will be expensive enough to fix that it will scare most people away who know what it would take.
Benzworld for sale forum and the r107 forum. Tons of info on fixing these cars also if you so choose to.
A fuel system rebuild ain't cheap so I'd say Travis is right that the car is worth around 1500-2000$. You only lose money buying a project if it is in rough shape and these cars can drain a bank account quick.
Why does the fuel system need rebuild? If you can drain the tank, put a fuel strainer/filter, fuel lines, blow out injectors, you might be able to get the car running well enough. A car which doesn't run and has sat isn't worth over 2000$ even to an enthusiast who know how to fix the cars. If you can get it running it would be worth probably 2500-4000, maybe more depending on how clean the interior, exterior, hard top, and soft top are. Really check for rust as these cars rust something fierce and apparently some of the 1978/1979 euro cars had a bad run of sheet metal.
Have any of the suspension rubbers been replaced? Subframe recall work done? How are the shocks? Transmission/engine mounts? If none of this has been done the car will need a bunch of work to bring it up to snuff. None of this is really expensive well except the 250$ subframe bushings for the r107 sl, just takes time and energy to do.
That being said, a 280sl with the 4speed auto is one of the more desirable models. 180hp inline six, that can return up to 20mpg freeway is about the best bang for the buck in the r107 chassis.
This is a euro car. Thanks for all the advice. Are all of these forums places that would welcome someone signing up to just sell a car? The car 3 hours away for me so I will look at the stuff you've said next time I am there. I will also look through the reciepts of what's been done its had a fairly extensive rebuild. It currently runs and drives other than the CIS issue it's in good shape. are there any particular trouble areas I should take pictures of? Thanks for all the help.
Some pics she sent https://picasaweb.google.com/118372046669118453122/Mercedes?authkey=Gv1sRgCL_Hy9_f4MKd_gE&feat=email#
I've recently been shopping for a 560 SL for the wife. I've found that prices vary considerably for these cars, not based on the work that HAS been done but on the work that NEEDS to be done. I'd have to agree-- for the car you are describing $2k would be about the maximum you could expect.
There are lots of items that will need to be addressed because the car has been sitting and because it is old. There are front (and maybe rear) subframe suspension mounts that are most certainly perished, motor mounts, driveshaft donuts, brakes, etc., etc. The right interior bits are very expensive (about $1200 just to buy the materials for the two front seats in the right stuff). There are plenty of cars available, too, so buyers can be choosy.
If it runs and drives you should throw some techron in the tank and give it the old eyetalian toonup. Drive the living hell out of it to burn the crud out of the system. If the car has a any misses you can do a power balance test by cracking the injector lines at the fuel distributor and see if the idle bogs down. You can also listen to the injectors with a screw driver, they will make a nice buzzing sound if working correctly.
Basil is correct that it is good idea to inspect the driveshaft flex disc as they can fail disastrously, I know my dad blew one up doing 100mph once. They can take out a transmission if they fail also, use only mercedes, meyle, febi, whatever you do don't use Uro parts they are junk.
That car looks pretty nice, euro lights and bumper with the headlamp wiper system. I just rebuilt the headlamp wiper system on my car.
Put it on benzworld for sale and the R107 forum. Hell I'll vouch for ya, I've been on that silly forum since december of 2004. The killer is a bunch of cars are coming on the market right now and it is all about supply and demand.
I am actively looking for an R107 and/or R129 right now. Prices vary widely and I am afraid I may have offended a couple of sellers with the lists of things their creampuffs have needed, and my subsequent offers.
Unfortunately, even though it's a Euro there are lots of V8 SLs for sale now at similar money.
You should probably mention where this car is, you've piqued quite a few people's attention.
If you agree with others that it's just under the bar at $2k, you may as well list it over there and see what happens.
A year ago I'd have been very interested myself. A year ago I had quite a bit more money too.
The Car is In Saint Louis. I am still getting what the minimum my Mom wants for the car from her.
Hmm so my mom sent me some updated pictures and She'd like to get >$2500 for the car. I thought since some where interested I'd update this.
https://picasaweb.google.com/118372046669118453122/Mercedes02?authkey=Gv1sRgCMj428ab6czroQE#
