1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL

-5.6L V8
-Automatic Transmission
-Dark Blue Over Tan Interior
-110k Miles

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of the car due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 160 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, and a link to the 560SL's accident-and-damage-free Carfax history report, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.)

“The 560SL has maintained its reputation as a powerful, reliable, well-appointed, classically-styled luxury automobile….” –Hagerty, February 2019

Hagerty continued their respectful 560SL review: “The 560SL was the last in the venerable R107 series (also known as the W107)…. In 1986, Mercedes shipped its most powerful SL of the decade, and of the chassis type, to the United States. At 3,781 pounds, the 560SL was also the heaviest of the SLs, but its new 5.6-liter V-8 engine—with 227 horsepower and 287 lb-ft of torque—had little trouble with the extra weight. In fact, it had a top speed of about 140 mph.”

With all the characteristic Mercedes model-improvement-- a new rear suspension, a limited-slip differential to better handle the extra power, anti-lock brakes, leather upholstery, an alarm system, and an airbag—the 560SL maintained its lofty, most-desired position in the Stuttgart automaker's lineup. The model also maintained its status-symbol reputation. As Jim Mateja, the automotive writer for the Chicago Tribune, put it: “If recognition and having the common folk gawk enviably as you pass are high on your list of priorities, then get thee into a Mercedes-Benz 560SL.”

Offered here in Midnight Blue exterior paint (904O) over Palomino leather (code 274) is a perfectly understated luxury Mercedes two-seater. The condition of the cosmetics and the mechanicals of the car show that, with good maintenance and reasonable care, these classic automobiles can extend their life almost indefinitely. (The Carfax history report shows an unspecified and unexplained “mileage inconsistency” in 1997-98 and again in 2001, however the Carfax-reported mileage-build during these periods does not appear unusual.) With 110,328 accident-and damage-free miles (fewer than 3,550 miles per-year on average), it's clear this 560SL was largely a special-night-out, trip to the college football game, or fall-color-tour conveyance, rather than an everyday driver. And that's good news for its next owner.

The car's VIN decodes as follows, courtesy of lastvin.com, showing these features:

VIN WDBBA48D9JA083698
Model Year 1988
Model 560 SL
Engine 117967 12 034171
Transmission 722313 03 057957
Order Number 0 7 705 57264
Order Location UNITED STATES (USA)
Interior LEATHER - PALOMINO (274)
Paint 1 MIDNIGHT BLUE (904O)
Paint 2 MIDNIGHT BLUE (904O)
Paint 5 74

Approx. Build Date 1988-02

240 OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
262 ELIMINATION OF REAR END SPOILER
442 AIRBAG IN STEERING WHEEL
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
494 VERSION FOR USA
506 OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR, LEFT AND RIGHT, HEATED (ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE ON THE RIGHT)
519 BECKER RADIO MEXICO GRAND PRIX, ELECTRONIC (USA)
524 PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION
531 AUTOMATIC ANTENNA
543 SUN VISOR WITH VANITY MIRROR, ILLUMINATED, LEFT AND RIGHT
551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
570 FOLDING ARMREST, FRONT
581 AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
592 HEAT-INSULATING GLASS, ALL-AROUND, HEATED REAR WINDOW PANE, BAND FILTER
639 ELIMINATION OF FIRST-AID BOX AND WARNING TRIANGLE
744 DARK BLUE SOFT TOP FABRIC 5010
808 CHANGE OF MODEL YEAR, THE LAST FIGURE SHOWING THE NEW MODEL YEAR

The SL's exterior retains a presentable appearance. Body-panel fit shows perfect factory tolerances. Paint is shiny and un-faded. Brightwork, including the chromed wheels, Mercedes 3-pointed-star emblem centered in the front grille, and side-mirror caps is very good. (Door handles show some patina.) Rubber trim, proper emblems, lighting lenses, and windshield glass show no obvious wear or damage. The tan-fabric convertible top shows rub marks, and a tear is present on the driver's side. Its three plastic “windows” are clear. Given the general lack of faded finishes, this 560SL could never have been left for any extended period in direct sunlight. Not surprisingly, the owner manual is included in the sale.

The car's Palomino leather seating surfaces exhibit extensive creasing from age and use, particularly on the seat cushions (driver's seat cushion has numerous cracks as well). Door trim is in good condition overall. Dash instruments, console-mounted shifter, door trim (even when viewed from below), and the 4-spoke, black steering wheel show no major flaws. Some switchgear and dash trim exhibits patina from use (and a few control knobs are missing). A Sony audio head unit replaces the factory radio. Palomino-colored carpeting has evidence of light wear, but serious fading and wear is limited to the rear-cabin carpet panel. Burled wood trim—a highlight of any Mercedes vehicle from this era—on the console and dash is in serviceable, but imperfect condition generally (better on the dash than the console). Added velcro strips on the dash remain unaccountably in place. Audio components are mounted behind the front seats. The car's trunk is quite clean and well-maintained.

Under the hood, the engine bay is complete, clean, and appears properly fitted out. The reliable 5.6-liter Mercedes V8 shows well. In the same way, the car's undercarriage is free of damage or signs of abuse. Surface rust is present on some untreated metal, notably the exhaust system components.

Factory-mounted build and identification tags remain properly mounted. An additional VIN-identified tag appears to indicate a replacement speedometer installation which possibly accounted for the Carfax mileage-inconsistency mention.

While the more than 160 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this Mercedes 560SL in detail from every angle, including from below, we expect and encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance as our showroom is not open to the public. And feel free to get in touch anytime by phone or email if you have questions.

Mercedes cars of the eighties are known for their assembly quality and long life. Given its overall good condition with several maintenance needs remaining, this particular luxury tourer may well be a sound investment, particularly as its renovation needs are attended to. So, Car and Driver's advice from 2014 rings true: “Budget permitting, we'd seek out the last of the R107s, the better handling and fleeter 560SL.”