1989 Mercedes-Benz 300SL

The R107’s body was galvanized from 1986, so as a last of the line model from its final year of production this example benefits from that – and is all the more desirable for it.

It was initially registered on November 7, 1989 and the first owner was a Mrs Kyprianou of Essex. The included V5 document shows that this SL had had a total of six owners from new. It also has a current MOT certificate and that runs until May 13, 2021.

‘The mileage is genuine,’ says the vendor. ‘And can be checked via its MOT history. It has two service books, as the original was initially lost. A duplicate was sourced and stamped from Mercedes-Benz’s records, but the owner later found the original.”

It also comes with three keys and two fobs.

The panel fit on this SL is still looking strong – all swage lines, bumpers and trim still lining up nicely. The Smoke Silver paint appears original and remains in very decent condition and, as the pictures in our photo gallery demonstrate, it’s a pretty clean car.

There are a few minor blemishes including a few very tiny bubbles across nearside and offside doors, a small rust patch where the offside rear mudflap is attached and a small chip just below the offside rear corner of the soft-top.

“The body only needs some small minor bits,” says the vendor. “But the soft-top isn’t faded and is really nice, and the hard top is good too and doesn’t leak.”

There’s a bit of fettling required on the soft-top, as it’s not sitting entirely flush at the lower rear edge, but it should be a relatively painless fix.

The wheels are nice and clean with no scuffs or chuffs and all four original Mercedes-Benz mud flaps remain in place. There’s not as much chrome on the R107 as on earlier Stuttgart products, but what there is remains in pleasant nick.

Overall, it’s a smart picture. 

“There’s a tiny mark on the back of the driver’s seat where the seatbelt catches,” says the vendor. “The seats are really good, as is the dashboard – although the wood is a touch loose on the centre console – but there are no cracks.”

“The central locking works, but the security immobiliser system is currently disconnected. The previous owner disconnected it to change the battery and we are told it is still functional if the next owner wants to re-activate it.”

The cabin is very pleasant indeed and relatively free from any wear, marks or scuffs. The carpets remain in very good condition and there’s a set of biscuit coloured overmats located in the boot. You’ll also find a fire extinguisher mounted in the passenger foot-well.

Both soft-top and hardtop headlinings remain in good condition – in fact, the latter is in excellent order. Like most SLs, this example’s hardtop has likely been little used.

The hood mechanism functions well and all electrics work, as they should.

We’ve piloted many of these cars and are particularly impressed with the steering feel that this one endows. High-mileage examples can sometimes feel a bit vague and wander-some as component wear sets in, but this 300SL is still very nice.

The engine is free from any timing-chain rattles, brakes are good, as are the automatic gearbox’s shifts, and the suspension remains pleasantly taut.

It feels like one that you can just jump in and drive and that’s something the vendor makes clear, “for me, it still drives like a new car; all electrics work, it starts first time and drives really well.”

There were three advisories issued during the current MOT test; all related to minor areas of corrosion on the underside – although none are considered excessive. It is worth noting that it may be prudent to carry out a bit of tidying up on these areas in the near future.

Some of the protective sill coating is also cracked and a touch of surface corrosion has now formed, so again it could benefit from being wire brushed, repainted and re-sealed. The vendor says that there are no issues with the all-important bulkhead (a key area to check on an R107).

Under the bonnet presents very strongly with a clean engine bay and, as our video below demonstrates, the engine fires up first time and revs very smoothly and smartly.  

We’ve piloted many of these cars and are particularly impressed with the steering feel that this one endows. High-mileage examples can sometimes feel a bit vague and wander-some as component wear sets in, but this 300SL is still very nice.

The engine is free from any timing-chain rattles, brakes are good, as are the automatic gearbox’s shifts, and the suspension remains pleasantly taut.

It feels like one that you can just jump in and drive and that’s something the vendor makes clear, “for me, it still drives like a new car; all electrics work, it starts first time and drives really well.”

There were three advisories issued during the current MOT test; all related to minor areas of corrosion on the underside – although none are considered excessive. It is worth noting that it may be prudent to carry out a bit of tidying up on these areas in the near future.

Some of the protective sill coating is also cracked and a touch of surface corrosion has now formed, so again it could benefit from being wire brushed, repainted and re-sealed. The vendor says that there are no issues with the all-important bulkhead (a key area to check on an R107).

Under the bonnet presents very strongly with a clean engine bay and, as our video below demonstrates, the engine fires up first time and revs very smoothly and smartly.  

This is quite a nice example of a 300SL. Yes there’re a few bits and bobs to do on it (mainly on the underside), but as stated earlier it definitely feels like a car you can jump in and enjoy.

Both its exterior and interior aesthetics remain sharp and the driving experience is very good. Combine that with the relatively low mileage (when well maintained these cars can deal with multiple 100ks with ease) and it looks like a smart purchase.

R107 prices have been on the up and up in recent years, and there’s a reason for that: it’s a Mercedes-Benz SL. They’ll always remain desirable, as buying one guarantees the purchaser smooth cruising top up, or top down, satisfaction.

We think somewhere in the region of £20,000 to £25,000 will secure this example. That’s far lower than a concours car, but even at the top end a decent price for a good usable example.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located at The Market’s Abingdon headquarters; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.