Tag: Mercedes-Benz

1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL convertible

“How is a classic transformed into a legend?”

The 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL marked the last significant revision to the R107 generation that had begun way back in 1972 with the 450SL. In addition to a larger and more powerful V8, Mercedes added a new rear suspension, anti-lock brakes (ABS), a limited-slip differential, a driver’s side airbag, and standard leather upholstery. The 560SL also got the federally-required high-mounted third brake light, mounted awkwardly on the trunk.

Motive power was provided by a Bosch fuel-injected 227 bhp 5.5 liter/338 ci V8 connected to a four-speed automatic transmission. Motor Trend recorded a 0-60 time of 6.8 seconds, while Road & Track recorded 7.5 seconds—no matter what, the 560SL was over three seconds faster than the 380SL. Mileage wasn’t exactly a priority in a car with 3,781-pound curb weight—the ratings of the day were 14 city mpg/17 highway (adding a $1,300 gas guzzler tax to every vehicle), by today’s standards that would be 12 city/16 highway. With the 22.5-gallon gas tank, 560SL owners could expect a range of between 280 and 315 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.

The 560SL’s base price at the beginning of the 1986 model year was $48,200—about $143,700 in today’s dollars, which is slightly under what a 2026 AMG SL 55 convertible goes for. By the end of the 1986 model year, the 560SL’s base price had risen to $53,730.

560SL pages from the 1986 Mercedes-Benz brochure

For their money, SL buyers got a plethora of standard equipment. Standard exterior and mechanical features included halogen head and fog lamps, tinted glass, power assisted steering, power assisted four wheel disc brakes, and 205/65R15 steel belted radial-ply tires (a size still readily available) on 15-inch light alloy wheels. Inside, adjustable front bucket seats and head restraints, a leather covered steering wheel and gear selector, cruise control, a central locking system, electric window lifts, fully automatic climate control, an electronic AM and FM stereo radio with a cassette player, and a first aid kit were included.

Options & Production Numbers

The 560SL offered only three factory options: heated seats, electronically adjustable headrests, and California emissions ($30).

About 13,788 well-healed buyers took home the first-year 560SL, up about 69% from the final year 380SL.

The View From 2025

There is solid club and forum support for the 560SL, as there is for almost all Mercedes-Benzes. According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, all the money for a 1986 560SL in #1/Concours condition is an astounding $150,000, while a more normal #3/Good condition car goes for $22,300. 560SLs maintain a substantial presence in the Hemming’s Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer. As I wrote this blog post in September 2025, there were 74 available on Hemmings, including 15 of the 1986 models.

Make mine Nautical Blue Metallic, please.

Other Mercedes-Benz models I have written about included the 1980 450SL convertible, the 1981 380 SEL sedan, the 1985 380SL convertible, the 1985 300SD coupe, the 1986 560SEC coupe, and the 1989 560SL convertible.

1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 SEL sedan

“Most capable cars in 95 years”

For 1981, Mercedes-Benz’s big W126 S-Class sedan made its way into the North American market after a year of sales in Europe. There were two offerings—a 300 SD diesel sedan and a 380 SEL with an extended wheelbase. The BMW 733i and the Jaguar XJ6 Series III were putative competitors, though the new Mercedes was considerably more expensive.

The 380 SEL’s only available powertrain was the M116 155 bhp 3.8 liter/234 ci V8 with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Road & Track clocked a 0-60 time of 10.1 seconds in a car with a 3,800-pound curb weight while mileage was 17 mpg by the day’s standards. With a relatively large 23.8-gallon fuel tank, range was between 330 and 365 miles with a 10% reserve.

1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 SEL and 300 SD advertisement
1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 SEL and 300 SD advertisement

The 380 SEL listed for an eye-watering $44,298—about $165,900 in today’s dollars (a modern S 580 4MATIC sedan starts at $128,600). Standard exterior and mechanical included tinted glass, halogen head lamps, an automatic power antenna, power assisted four-wheel disc brakes, power steering, and Michelin XVS 205/70HR-14 tires (a size still available) on 14-inch light alloy wheels. Interior equipment included 8-way electrically adjusted front seats, an electrically adjustable rear seat, a choice of leather or velour upholstery, cruise control, climate control, electric windows, a central locking system, and an electronic AM/FM stereo radio with a cassette player.

Options, Production Numbers, & Period Reviews

Since the 380 SEL came loaded, there were not a lot of options beyond the exterior and interior colors. An electrically operated sliding roof ($795) and heated seats ($360) were available.

Production numbers are hard to come by, but an estimated 20,000 380 SELs were imported into the United States for the 1981 model year. Period reviews were extremely positive—Road & Track concluded theirs with “quite simply, Mercedes’ new S-class is a class unto itself.”

The View From 2025

There is excellent club support for the 380 SEL, as there is for almost all Mercedes-Benz’s. That same club support warns potential buyers against the M116 engine’s notorious timing chain issues, though I believe nearly all of the original single chains have been replaced with double chains by now. There’s also frequent mention that the 380 SEL’s climate control did not meet the standards of domestic luxury car manufacturers in the early eighties.

That said, the W126 is frequently cited as the best S-class ever made—substantially improving over the already impressive W116.

According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, all the money for a 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 SEL in #1 condition is $42,600, with a more normal #3 condition car going for $13,400. 380 SELs frequently appear for sale in the Hemming’s Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring A Trailer.

Make mine Astral Silver Metallic, please.

Other Mercedes-Benz models I have written about included the 1980 450SL convertible, the 1985 380SL convertible, the 1985 300SD coupe, the 1986 560SEC coupe, and the 1989 560SL convertible.

1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL convertible

A 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL convertible sold for $27,000 at Mecum’s “Summer Special” auction in August 2020. I’ve previously written about the other two eighties SL versions: the 380SL and the 560SL. Perhaps it’s time to write about the 450SL.

In production since the 1972 model year, the Mercedes-Benz 450SL changed little in its final year, with a few new exterior colors and some new stereo choices. There were also multiple emissions-related changes to the powertrain, with horsepower ratings dropping from 180 bhp to 160 bhp and torque ratings increasing.

The sole powertrain for the 450SL remained a 4.5 liter/276 ci V8 with Bosch Jetronic fuel injection paired to a three-speed automatic. Car and Driver tested a 1980 450SL and recorded an 11.6-second 0-60 time, but raw acceleration likely wasn’t that important to SL buyers. Mileage also wasn’t great in a vehicle with a 3,730-pound curb weight—this SL was no longer anything resembling Sport Light. The 1980 EPA fuel economy rating was 16 mpg, and most owners report that number as somewhat hopeful. At least the sizeable 23.8-gallon gas tank allowed a range of close to 345 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.

1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL advertisement
1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL advertisement

For 1980, the 450SL’s base price was a substantial $35,839—about $152,400 in today’s dollars, which is about 36% more than today’s AMG SL 43 convertible goes for. Standard exterior and mechanical equipment for this expensive car included tinted glass, variable-ratio power steering, power four-wheel disc brakes, and 205/70HR14 tires (a size still available thanks to Vredestein) mounted on 14 x 6 inch light-alloy wheels. Inside, air conditioning, adjustable MB-Tex bucket seats, cruise control, electric windows, and central locking were all included.

Options included a limited-slip differential, 15-inch wheels, leather bucket seats, and an array of Becker stereos. Like many other European cars of the early eighties, the 450SL did not have a standard stereo, though a power antenna was included.

The 450SL was a cultural icon, finding fans among various executives, celebrities, professional athletes, and rock stars when new. It was also a film and television star—famously driven by Richard Gere in American Gigolo, by Stephanie Powers and Robert Wagner on Hart to Hart, and by Patrick Duffy on Dallas.

The View From 2025

450SLs have many adherents to this day, and there is much club support. According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, all the money for a 1980 450SL in #1/Concours condition is $71,900, with a more normal #3/Good condition car going for $14,400. These SLs are always available in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, on Bring a Trailer, and often at in person auctions. As I update this post in April 2025, there are eleven 1980 450SLs available for sale in Hemmings.

Make mine Astral Silver Metallic, please. Sometimes the cliché is correct.

Other eighties Mercedes-Benz models I have written about include the 1985 300CD Turbo coupe and 1986 560SEC coupe.

Last updated April 2025.

Auction Favorite: 1985 Mercedes-Benz 380SL convertible

The Mercedes-Benz 380SL is a common vehicle at the auctions I follow—since starting this blog in late 2013, I’ve seen almost 40 of these convertibles go across the block, mostly at the Barrett-Jackson and Mecum events. I chose to go with 1985 as the model year to write about because it and 1982 have been the two most common years I have seen.

“What do you get when you blend a Mercedes-Benz with a sports car? The incomparable 380SL.”

1985 was the final year for the 380SL—from 1986 on, the heavier and more powerful 560SL would be the only option in North America. There wasn’t much change for 1985; all cars got anti-lock brakes, and later production SLs got a drivers-side airbag. About 11,100 buyers took home this last of the line example, which benefited from having very little real competition.

Motive power was provided by a 155 bhp 3.8 liter/234 ci V8 with Bosch Jetronic fuel injection, connected to a four-speed automatic transmission. As with all R107 models, mileage for the 3,600-pound car wasn’t very good—the ratings of the day were 16 city/18 highway (14/17 by today’s standards). With the 22.5-gallon fuel tank, a 380SL driver could expect a range of between 310 and 350 miles with a 10% fuel reserve. 0-60 came in about 10.5 seconds; despite the claims of Mercedes-Benz, the 380SL was closer to a grand touring car than to a sports car.

The 380SL’s base price for 1985 was $43,820 (about $102,200 in today’s dollars—neatly spaced between what an SL 450 and an SL 550 cost in 2017). For the money, exterior and mechanical standard features included the aforementioned ABS controlling power disk brakes, power steering, a steel hardtop, and 205/70VR14 tires (now a rare size) on 14-inch forged light-alloy wheels. Inside, power windows, power door locks via a vacuum locking system, cruise control, and an AM/FM stereo with cassette player were standard. Air conditioning was also included in the electronic automatic climate control system, though most say it wasn’t that effective. Heated leather seats were optional.

According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, all the money for a 1985 380SL in #1/Concours condition is $28,200, with a more typical #3/Good car going for $13,600. There is decent club support for the 380SL, as there is for almost all Mercedes-Benz’s. 380SLs maintain a substantial presence in the Hemming’s Motor News classifieds and on eBay Motors. As I write this in September 2017, there are 66 advertised on Hemmings, including 14 of the 1985 models.

Make mine Astral Silver Metallic, please. Dealer advertising image courtesy of Alden Jewell.

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1985 Mercedes-Benz 300CD Turbo coupe

A 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300D Turbo Coupe in Radnor, PA
An (I think) Champagne Metallic Mercedes-Benz 300CD Turbo in Radnor, PA

For some strange reason, one—but only one—of the supermarkets in my area often features interesting eighties cars in its parking lot. Back in mid-2016, there was a Mercedes-Benz 300CD Turbo coupe casually parked among the crossovers—a good enough reason for this blog entry.

“A singular new achievement”

1985 was the last model year for Mercedes-Benz’s mid-size W123 models—the substantially revised and very different-looking W124 models would follow for 1986.

For 1985, the 300CD Turbo powertrain continued to be the fuel-injected 125 bhp 3.0 liter/183 ci inline five turbodiesel connected to a four-speed automatic transmission. At about 3,360 pounds, these were not fast cars—Car and Driver recorded a 0-60 time of 12 seconds. Fuel economy was 22 city/25 highway by the day’s standards—19/23 by today’s measures. With the 21.1-gallon fuel tank, the driver of a 300CD could expect 400 to 445 miles of range with a 10% reserve.

Standard Equipment & Options

The base price for the 300CD Turbo was a non-trivial $35,220—about $108,600 in today’s dollars or almost twice what a 2025 CLE 450 4MATIC coupe goes for. You did get a lot of standard equipment for a 1985 vehicle: power steering, power brakes, halogen headlamps, halogen fog lamps, and 195/70HR14 tires (a size still readily available) on 14-inch light alloy wheels were all included. Inside, power windows, power door locks, cruise control, intermittent windshield wipers, eight-way power front bucket seats, electronic climate control, and an AM/FM stereo with cassette player and power antenna were standard.

There were few options on the 300CD Turbo: leather upholstery, an anti-theft alarm system ($335), and a power sunroof (optional at no extra cost) were available.

The View From 2025

W123 models definitely have a following, especially the relatively rare coupes and the 300TD wagons. According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, all the money for a 1985 300CD in #1/Concours condition is $67,000, with a more normal #3/Good condition car going for $25,700. 300CDs sometimes show up for sale in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer, often with mileage well over 200,000.

I like these coupes, with their smooth hardtop lines and their reasonable size. Make mine Astral Silver Metallic, I think.

Other Mercedes-Benz models I have written about include the 1980 450SL convertible, the 1981 380 SEL sedan, the 1985 380SL convertible, the 1986 560SEC coupe, the 1986 560SL convertible, and the 1989 560SL convertible.

Last updated December 2025.

1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC coupe

Only a couple of blocks from my house at the time, I walked by a black 560SEC with a tan interior in really good condition in July 2015—a good enough reason as any to write this post.

“Bold lines which reflect the latest in motoring refinement.”

For 1986, Mercedes-Benz’s big W126 S-Class coupe gained an upgraded 238 bhp M117 5.5 liter/338 ci Bosch K-Jetronic fuel-injected V8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. The mid-cycle refresh also differed cosmetically from previous years with the addition of flush-face halogen headlamps and integral headlight wipers.

0-60 came in a sprightly 7.5 seconds in the 3,900-pound car while mileage was a predictably bad 14 city/16 highway by the day’s standards (12/15 by modern measures), which earned the 560SEC a $1,500 gas guzzler tax. With the relatively large 23.8-gallon fuel tank, range was between 290 and 320 miles with a 10% reserve.

Photo of a 560SEC on the streets of Bryn Mawr, PA
A 560SEC on the streets of Bryn Mawr, PA

The 1986 560SEC’s base price, including distribution and transportation, was an eye-watering $64,900—approximately $193,900 in today’s dollars, or about what a 2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 coupe goes for. Standard exterior and mechanical equipment included halogen head lamps with washers and wipers, tinted glass, an electric sliding roof with a pop-up feature, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, and 215/65VR15 steel belted radial-ply tires on 15-inch “fifteen slot” light alloy wheels. Interior equipment included dual-stage heated front bucket seats, an electrically adjustable steering wheel, a driver’s side airbag, electronic automatic climate control (said to be less effective than you’d expect), cruise control, and a Becker Grand Prix AM/FM stereo radio with a cassette player and an automatic antenna.

Optional equipment included a power rear sun shade, a front passenger air bag, rear headrests ($245), and California emissions.

The View From 2025

There is decent club support for the 560SEC, as there is for almost all Mercedes-Benzes. According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, all the money for a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC in #1 condition is $117,000, with a more normal #3 condition car going for $24,900. 560SECs frequently show up for sale in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer. As I update this post in December 2025, there’s a Black 560SEC with a black interior and 184,000 miles listed on Hemmings for $20,000.

Make mine Black Pearl Metallic, please.

Other Mercedes-Benz models I have written about include the 1980 450SL convertible, the 1981 380 SEL sedan, the 1985 380SL convertible, the 1985 300SD coupe, the 1986 560SL convertible, and the 1989 560SL convertible.

Last updated December 2025.

1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SL convertible

560SLs were a notable presence in the January 2014 auctions at Scottsdale and Kissimmee, so I decided to finally post this short entry on the last of third-generation SLs.

“Engineered like no other car in the world”

The 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SL marked the end of the R107 generation that had begun way back in 1972 with the 450SL. There had been a moderate restyling for 1986, but the basic bones were definitely aged.

Motive power was provided by a Bosch fuel injected 227 bhp 5.5 liter/338 ci V8 connected to a four-speed automatic transmission. Mileage wasn’t exactly great for the 3,700-pound car—the ratings of the day were 14 city mpg/17 highway (adding a $1,300 gas guzzler tax to every vehicle), by today’s standards that would be 12 city/16 highway. With the 22.5-gallon gas tank, 560SL owners could expect a range of between 280 and 315 miles with a 10% fuel reserve. 0-60 did come in about 7 seconds, but the 560SL was closer to a muscle car than to a sports car.

Philips light bulb advertisement featuring 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SL
Philips light bulb advertisement featuring the 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SL

The base price for 1989 was $64,230 (about $172,400 in today’s dollars). For your money, you got a plethora of standard equipment. Standard exterior and mechanical features included power assisted steering, anti-lock braking system, and power assisted four wheel disc brakes, and light alloy wheels. Inside, leather upholstery, a driver’s side air bag, cruise control, automatic climate control, central locking, electrically operated windows, an electronic AM and FM stereo radio with cassette player, and (of course) a first aid kit were included. About 8,300 buyers took home this last of the line example.

The View From 2025

There is decent club support for the 560SL, as there is for almost all Mercedes-Benz’s. 560SLs maintain a substantial presence in the Hemming’s Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer. As I updated this blog post in August 2025, there were 83 available on Hemmings, including 22 of the 1989 models. According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, all the money for a 1989 560SL in #1/Concours condition is an astounding $153,000, while a more normal #3/Good condition car goes for $24,400.

Make mine Astral Silver Metallic, please.

Other Mercedes-Benz models I have written about included the 1980 450SL convertible, the 1981 380 SEL sedan, the 1985 380SL convertible, the 1985 300SD coupe, and the 1986 560SEC coupe.

Last updated August 2025.