1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL

- 5.6L V8
- Automatic Transmission
- 105k Miles
- Red Over Tan Interior
- Both Hard and Soft Tops
- Functioning AC

(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 of the more than 15 5 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, and a link to the 560SL's 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 Signal Red exterior paint (code 568O) over beige leather (code 275) under a brown-fabric convertible top 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 unexplained “damage report” in 2014 resulting in “moderate damage,” however there is no mention of an accident, and no accident report. Regardless, whatever the incident or the resultant damage, the car has been professionally and completely repaired long since leaving no sign of the damage or the repair.) The 560SL's odometer currently reads 105,239 miles, or fewer than 3,200 miles per-year on average since it was built in Stuttgart in December of 1987. 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 and facts:

VIN WDBBA48DXJA081054
Model Year 1988
Model 560 SL
Engine 117967 12 032029
Transmission 722313 03 039282
Order Number 0 7 704 88490
Order Location UNITED STATES (USA)
Interior LEATHER - BEIGE (275)
Paint 1 SIGNAL RED (568O)
Paint 2 SIGNAL RED (568O)
Paint 5 75
Approx. Build Date 1987-12

Mercedes Benz VIN decoded at: https://www.lastvin.com/vin/zrL6K2OvgZQEqJpM5L6K2OvgZQEqJpM5

Code Description
240 OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
262 ELIMINATION OF REAR END SPOILER
442 AIRBAG IN STEERING WHEEL
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
491 U.S. VERSION
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
746 FOLDING TOP FABRIC 8023, DARK BROWN
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 factory tolerances. Paint is shiny and un-faded. (To best assess the quality of the paint and trim finishes, be sure to view the close-up photographs of the car in the accompanying gallery.) 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 light patina.) Rubber body trim, proper emblems, lighting lenses, and windshield glass show no serious wear or damage. The brown-fabric top is in excellent condition. This 560SL could never have been left for any extended period in direct sunlight. Factory 15-inch, chromed wheels with Mercedes-star center emblems are mounted with Michelin® 205/65 premium radial tires. (The spare is an unmatching Mercedes wheel and tire.)

The car's leather seating surfaces are in very good condition; it appears that gray Mercedes seats were swapped at some point for the original beige. Door trim is in good condition overall. Dash instruments, console-mounted shifter for the automatic transmission, 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. An upgraded Alpine® audio head unit replaces the factory radio. Beige-colored carpeting (protected with Mercedes carpet mats) has evidence of light wear but fading and soiling is limited to the rear-cabin carpet panels. Burled wood trim—a highlight of any Mercedes vehicle from this era—on the console and dash is in good, but lightly faded condition generally (better on the dash than the console). The car's trunk is in good condition with evidence of some staining.

Under the hood, the engine bay is complete, clean, and appears properly fitted out. The powerful and reliable 5.6-liter Mercedes V8 shows well. In the same way, the car's undercarriage is clean and free of damage or signs of abuse. Factory-mounted build and identification tags remain properly riveted in place. The sale includes the original owner's manual. A custom car cover is also included.

While the more than 155 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 build quality and long life. Given its overall good condition, this particular luxury tourer may well be a sound investment going forward. 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.”