Most famous among the R107 Mercedes SL is the 560, as it offered the largest displacement and highest horsepower and torque ratings. It was also the primary offering throughout the second half of the go-go 1980s. All US-spec SLs, however, came with automatics gearboxes in this generation, so that means some others are quite desirable on the rare occasion they pop up on our shores.
Our subject car is a Euro-spec 280 with a five-speed manual gearbox. This engine offered the lowest output of any SL engine, but we wonder what it’s like to row through the gears with a smooth inline six cylinder motivating this luxury car. That experience was lost on US SLs years ago, but it was part of the equation in all previous generations.
Click for Craigslist ad
Studio City, CA
$9,950
This car certainly appears to be in great shape and the seller claims lots of maintenance work and upgrades in the recent past.
Here’s the money shot – gorgeous SL interior with a stick.
Pardon the seller’s fuzzy image, but here’s that DOHC I6.
Ad text:
Rare 280SL Euro Mercedes roadster for sale. This is a 5-speed manual 280SL, imported from Europe into southern California when new in 1982. Only 95k original miles, this beautiful car has been lovingly pampered its whole life. Rust free and accident free, it was driven only on sunny days and always garaged. US and California legal, all USA and EPA DOT releases and California emissions are provided. The car is a beautiful warm Anthracite gray exterior with a Palomino leather interior.
Everything works on the vehicle- AC, power antenna, power windows, door locks, disc brakes front and rear, etc. It has both soft and hard tops, and chrome stock wheels. This car is a lot more fun to drive than all the other heavier SL series, and is more nimble and corners better than a heavier 560SL or 500SL gray market Euro car (because it has a smaller engine with less weight and no heavy transmission) I originally was looking for an early 1980s Euro 500SL, but when I found this beautiful car and drove it, it seemed almost as fast as the 500SL, but much better on gas (I seem to get around 24 mpg). A true European roadster that is a pleasure to drive.
Parts are easily available, as the engine is the same as the 280E and 280 SE sedans which were brought into the US. Body parts are same as the 380SL, 560SL, 450SL, etc. The inline 6 cylinder 2.8 engine is considered one of the finest and well built of all Mercedes engines. Extremely reliable and long lasting, with plenty of power.
This car had to pass strict California smog laws when brought in to the US in 1983, and most recent smog was in 2012. It has been professionally maintained by previous owners with receipts for work done.
There are a few very small dings and tiny scratches here and there, and there is a slight clear-coat wearing on the hood- all not easy to see. Otherwise the paint and exterior are in excellent condition and shines beautifully.
The duo valve needs rebuilding or replacing (this is very easy to replace, sits on top of the engine. It stops the flow of hot coolant into passenger compartments when you turn the AC on. I simply disconnect the heater hose in the warmer months and cap it off to stop hot water from entering the passenger heater cores and keep the AC fully cool. It works fine like this, but is one of the only things it needs. The soft top is worn but still functional, but I am providing a new German cloth top with custom tinted window and hounds tooth lining. Those are all the things it needs.
I also have an original set of front and back Euro bumpers similar to the ones originally put on the car that I am selling separately, in very good condition.
It has:
New Bilstein shocks front and back
New Michelin tires
New AC compressor and clutch at 92k miles, cold AC
New catalytic convertor at 92K miles
Have brand new German cloth hounds-tooth lined top with tinted windows, not yet installed. Current one works ok, but is worn with repairs done to it
Newer brakes (all 4 disc ABS anti-lock brakes
New OEM Sachs clutch and bearings at 92k miles (it didn’t need a new one but I wanted to be safe for long road trips)
Recent oil change with Mobile 1 full synthetic oil, 5W-30 weight
New fuel pump and filter at 92k miles
New spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor at 92k miles
Newer water pump around 89k miles
Rebuilt alternator
Rear end and transfer case both serviced with new fluid at 90k miles (rear end has Amzoil Synthetic fluid)
New Flex plates in driveshaft at 92k miles
I also have a full set of all heater hoses and radiator hoses from Mercedes I will provide that I was going to install but the current ones are fine with no leaking
Was originally undercoated for rust prevention, but was always garaged and driven on sunny days.
I will provide all receipts for work done and list of part number, oil brand, etc to new owner.