Mercedes bens sl 107 investment

[Classic_mercedes]

Firstly a big thank you for to such a form, it is truly a haven for mercedes benz enthasuists like me who lack the mechanical knowledge of mercedes.

I just wanted to ask fellow users, is it worth investing in the american sl's of the late 70's and mid 80's.i have an oppertunity to get both a 380 and 450 sl with very low milage that being 31,000 and 35,000 respectively and in showroom condition.

i know that the european sl counterparts of the same milage and condition fetch quite good returns on money as i recently had mines valued at a very good price. Although i have been told that Lhd american models are not perticulrly sought after is there any perticular reason why the europeans sl are more atractive to a classic buyer than a american sl of simlair age.

Any feedback would be greatly apreciated.

best regards

 

[Myros]

to quote St Jeremy of Clarkson

POWER!!!!

You might find that the american models are seriously down on power compared to the european models by virtue of cats, smog control, and girders for bumpers, and generally being detuned for their lousy 1/2 star petrol. On the plus side, they have those foxy 4 headlights, and californian cars ought not to be rusty.

You pays your money and you takes your choice

 

[Classic_mercedes]

wow ,a serious lack of responses , although a big thankyou to Myros.

i do not plan to sell the sl's in the short-term , more of a long term investment i.e 15-20 years.

 

[Myros]

if it's for your own fun for 15 years

why not. There is a bit more of a market for US models in germany, as the lhd is not an issue, and they have a more common sense taxation system for classics, so you might be able to have your cake and eat it by selling them on ther when you've done.

It would be feasible to tune the engine up a bit, but not much. They are lower compression versions, so you'd probably be looking at different heads for power restoration.
Having said all that, who knows what the market will do in a year.let alone 15 years.

Good luck with it.

 

[hawk20]

Why buy American and LHD when you can buy perfectly good ones over here that are RHD and therefore much more saleable later? If its just a cost saving, it could be false economy. It may not be entirely logical but there does seem to be huge resistance to having the wheel on the wrong side. I'm near Beaulieu and see loads of classics around but very few are left hookers.

 

[Classic_mercedes]

well to be honest many of the right hand models of the aforsaid milage and condition are almost in double the price than a left hand drive model sl. i purchased my right hand navy blue sl with only 40,000 on the clock for 17k a while back and i look at these american model sl at the fraction of the cost and with lower milage and feel slightly ripped off with my sl.

saying that i havent been let down and havent had to replace any part to date other then cost of a regular service coupled with cheap insurance .

im probably going to get just the 450 sl, as its black and i have fallen in love with it.

 

[POS1]

I wouldn't chase an American 380SL or a 450SL, but a 560SL might be worth it. Here in the US, we knowledgeable ones chase the European versions of the SLs. The only exception to this is the 560 - great car, great engine. If you really had your heart set on a late 70s car, then definitely get the 450 - the 380 is slouch.

 

[Classic_mercedes]

thanks all, very much appreciate the insightful advice, i already own a european 107(1985) 560 sl in navy blue as stated above and very happy with it.

but with the oppertunity to get the 450 sl in a black was very alluring perticularly with such low milage. i paid the deposit and due to fly over to personally check it before making the purchase.wish me luck on that.

the guy who's selling it says he maybe getting a 450 slc soon , what are your opnions on that model.i remember my father's freind had one , a very poweful beast of a car for its time.

 

[maldon]

450 SLC - very nice - very cheap - practical - massively underrated.

Rust is the enemy - but good ones do appear from time to time.

I'd def have another one if could find the 'right' one.