Selling Your Mercedes 280SL?
Here’s Some Things You Should Know!
Combining sporting performance and incredible touring comfort, the Mercedes-Benz 280SL is an iconic, masterfully designed vehicle. Ahead of its time, it is now remembered as a popular and glamorous vehicle driven by celebrities of the era.
Perhaps you currently have a 280SL for sale, or you’re looking to flip one. Either way, selling an old Mercedes 280SL can be profitable. But selling an authentic 280SL isn’t just about putting a few pictures up on Craigslist. For the best outcome, you’ll want to understand the market and your car as best as possible.
Classic car expert Alex Manos is here to help you learn more about selling your vehicle, the 280SL’s value today, and how to evaluate your car’s condition so that you can get the best price for your vehicle.
The 280SL Mercedes-Benz – Brief History
The Mercedes-Benz line has been a well-respected producer of premium cars for nearly a hundred years. In that time, they’ve come out with speedy race cars and comfortable luxury vehicles alike.
The 280SL was significant because it combined the speedy racer design that won the 1963 Spa-Sofia-Liège Rally with the luxury every premium car buyer wants. This two-seat roadster premiered in 1967 as part of the W113 lineup and has wowed the world ever since.
The name 280SL Pagoda came from the slightly concave hardtop. As a convertible, buyers could choose between a hardtop or soft-top. The soft-top was often ideal for areas where sudden showers could occur.
280SL Pagoda Model Years
The vast improvement to the 280SL engine design and performance was not an overnight miracle. Throughout the years, the 280SL Pagoda continued to develop. And with each model, this classic car became more valuable.
The last iteration from 1971 was by far the absolute best since its debut in 1967. But what happened during those 4 years of 280SL Mercedes-Benz production? 4-speed automatic transmission and air conditioning transformed the line from just a sports car to a grand tourer vehicle. With an upgrade to the 2,778 cc M130 engine170 PS maximum power and 180 lb-ft maximum torque, this finally delivered the power needed to the W113.
Engine
First, you want to take a look under the hood. Is the vehicle still drivable? A 280SL engine can still run like a charm with its durable design. But that is only if the 280SL engine is well maintained.
If you see smoke upon acceleration, you may need to inspect the pipework for rust that is blocking injectors. If the oil has gone dirty and damaged the pump, you may need to invest in replacing it. You may also need a 280SL Mercedes-Benz specialist to help with misfiring or overheating if the car has been left idle for a long period.
Bodywork
Bodywork accounts for not only the aesthetics of the vehicle but also the durability and life expectancy of the car’s future. So, you’ll want to check for rusting and rotting thoroughly. If the car is rotting in common trouble spots, this could spell danger for the future of the car as it has been weakened. Speak with a specialist to see how you can help.
Interior
The 280SL interior is a sign of luxury and comfort. In fact, it was originally notable for being one of the softest cushioned cars on the market! So having the 280SL interior intact can greatly help the price tag.
The filling of the seat cushions can disintegrate over time. There can also be water damage on the base. Thoroughly inspect for damage and consider whether restoration is the right investment.
Just because your Pagoda isn’t in perfect condition doesn’t mean that it is worthless. Sellers like Alex Manos purchase cars in less than mint condition every day. However, it may affect just how much you can sell your car and which buyers will be interested.
Perhaps you have found an old Mercedes 280SL that was left to rust. But a little or even a lot of rust can still provide a drivable car. Getting a professional’s help to see what potential the car still has can give you more information.
Cars that receive regular service or maintenance and are driven regularly demonstrate it is still a usable car. How it looks is considered after that! So don’t walk into any sale blind. By doing some homework on your car, learning about its past and present condition, you can sell even an old Mercedes 280SL barn find and get a nice check in return.
Advice from Alex: 280SL FAQ
If you’re looking to sell a classic car, Alex says doing your homework will go a long way. Understanding your vehicle and the market is key. Potential buyers out there might not know enough about 280SL value today, and others may be well-versed on the subject and seek to take advantage of you. In these cases, knowledge is power.
To better understand your position as a seller and know if and how to put up your 280SL for sale, consider these frequently asked questions before you post or contact any buyers.
Should you sell your Mercedes 280SL?
The 280SL Mercedes is an incredibly popular and iconic car. Because of this, buyers are often looking to purchase a 280SL for sale. So if you have this sporty, luxury vehicle, you’re in luck.
Selling this classic car can bring in a nice bit of money for yourself. But beware of agreeing to a price with the first buyer who comes along. To accurately assess a 280SL’s value, you should always speak with an expert first. They will be able to give you the most accurate evaluation of the car.
Whether you sell your roadster directly from a rusty barn find or do your own full restoration, there will be potential buyers. So do your research and have a price tag in mind to sell with the best offer.
What is the best place online to sell a classic Mercedes 280SL?
You can sell a 280SL anywhere online. But for the best price for your 280SL Pagoda value, you can’t just go anywhere. From the uneducated to the scammers, there are people everywhere looking to cut you a rotten deal.
That’s why we always recommend you work with reliable, trustworthy sites. This would mean businesses that are committed to buying and selling classic cars. When you work with a specialist, the 280SL Pagoda’s value is fully appreciated. Working with a professional like Alex Manos will help ensure a successful sale.
How can I know if my Pagoda classic car will appreciate?
Appreciation and depreciation vary as the market changes. People become interested or less interested in different cars over a period of time. So it can be difficult to predict whether your 280SL Pagoda will appreciate in the short term. But you can always keep an eye out for how much other Mercedes classic convertibles sell to get a good sense.
280SL Pagoda Price Guides
As we’ve mentioned, the condition of your car affects the sale price. And because people buy 280SL vehicles in all sorts of conditions, from rusted out and rotting to mint condition, the price range is pretty wide as well. To give you just a general sense, a 280SL can go for anywhere between $10,000 — $100,000+.
Prices may come down not only to condition but personal preference as well. For example, a car in a more attractive color to buyers may go for a higher price. While the 1971 model is often regarded as one of the best years, a buyer may be nostalgic for the original model. It can be difficult to predict exactly where a specific car will come out.
Selling Your 280SL? Call the Experts
With the market always changing and opinions on various cars swaying, it can be hard to know the best way to sell a 280SL Pagoda. That’s why working with a trusted, classic car professional like Alex Manos is a must.
Don’t trust buyers on social media to offer you a fair price. Instead, get the expertise and guidance you need to get the best deal for your 280SL for sale! Alex Manos at Beverly Hills Car Club is always looking to buy a classic 280sl. Get in touch with us today to start talking about selling your car to a trusted and experienced classic car buyer.
“Such an easy and great experience. Selling my fathers vintage Mercedes was one of the most emotional experiences, and Alex and his team made me comfortable knowing it was going to someone who’s gonna love and care for it…”
“I had a Mercedes barn find for sale (actually 2 different Mercedes) and contacted Alex. I have never sold a vehicle online before. Alex and his employees made the entire process very easy. They sent all the paperwork for us to complete, they were patient while we waited for the cashier checks to clear the bank, and then then sent someone to pick up the vehicles. They were a great group to work with and really put us at ease.”
“Dealing with Alex and his entire team was a real pleasure. I am still very busy at my business and his team helped me through the complete process. And more importantly, they were patient and understanding when I was busy. It was a real positive experience (although I miss my 250 SL a little) :-)”
“This is the 3rd classic Mercedes that Valarie Van Dam has helped with with, a true professional. I would recommend her to anyone considering selling a classic car through Alex Manos. Everything went as planned and no hassles. Made the sale on Saturday and on Monday the funds were wired to my bank then when the funds cleared the bank the transport arrived 2 days later. You don’t have to worry about someone trying to steal your classic or rip you off. Very safe transaction. Thank you to the Alex Manos team, job well done!”
“As a Sr. Citizen looking to sell my cherished vehicle I had much anxiety. Once the initial contact was made from this company I knew I was in good, honest hands. Their customer service skills, patience with any technical requests were comforting. I could see I was working with a team who knew what they were doing. Each of them were knowledgeable and informed. Everything they said would happen during the transaction happened.When their driver arrived to complete the deal I was glad I chose this company to do business with.I am beyond pleased.”
“My experience with the Alex Manos staff was a dream come true after the nightmare of my husband’s sudden death. He had a 1979 280SL Euro model sedan that was cosmetically lovely but mechanically ‘frozen’. After scouring my local mechanics for help, I realized no one here had the resources, personnel or interest to take it on. I was told the only option was to sell it to a junk yard, where it would surely lay rusting into the mud as parts would not be available, and fixing it would be twice the cost of what it was worth. I contacted the Alex Manos company, and after an uplifting phone call with Valerie, we agreed on a sale. Immediately after, they coordinated transportation, Title transfer & bill of sale processes, and within a week it was on its way to CA. With great relief, I was assured the car wouldn’t be sold for scrap or parted out, that it would be detailed and fixed and sold…which felt like the best possible outcome for a weary widow liquidating assets toward closure of the estate. As I said in my letter to them, they are famous for ‘spinning straw into gold’ (as their many website photos prove) They are the one company with the resources, the personnel and the *heart* to restore treasured-yet-challenging vehicles, and I & my family recommend them without reservation and with grateful hearts.”
“Very easy and NO STRESS transaction when selling the car….they walked me thru everything from start to completion of pick up. Thanks!”
“In buying my car Alex and I faced a lot of hard work. The car had been in storage for 30 years, but a nice photo of it alerted him to its potential. The original title had been lost and this required many interactions with the California DMV to buy a replacement, with the receipt functioning to permit Alex to move forward with the purchase. Alex guided me expertly through all the necessary steps. And finally, when the time came for moving the car from the Sacramento area to LA, he had engaged a towing company which worked closely with me and the storage place to schedule the arrival of their truck–necessary because I live some distance from the storage place myself. It all went pretty smoothly, thanks to Alex’s expert and professional help.”
