This 1988 Mercedes-Benz 300SL was originally a German-market example sold by Scheffel & Geisthoff in Hamm, Germany. In July 1989, the original owners shipped the car to the United States where it remained driven under their ownership through 2021. This R107 is finished in Black Pearl Metallic (199) over Gray Leather (278) and is powered by a 3-liter inline-6 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Equipment includes a paint-matched removable hardtop with electric defrost, automatic climate control with A/C, power windows and cruise control. Service records included in the sale document a complete suspension refresh, engine reseal, and regular maintenance using OEM parts and recommended oil/fluids. This 300SL now shows 59k miles and is offered for sale with the original window sticker, importation documents, complete service records, factory literature w/stamped service booklet, dealer key pouch with four keys, and a clean Texas title in the original owner’s name.
The exterior is finished in Black Pearl Metallic (199) with chrome trim along the beltline, windows, and hardtop. European-market glass headlamps and bumpers are shown on the car and remain in good condition with no notable flaws. Included is a paint-matched removable hardtop with a heated rear window. Both door mirrors also include heated glass with the passenger side being power adjustable. The black soft top is shown in the gallery without any tears, snags, or rubber seal issues. The rear window remains clear as well. Detailed photos of the body and paint can be seen in the gallery below.
The car shows the factory 15” Gullideckel wheels finished in silver paint and wrapped in a set of Michelin Symmetry all-season tires measuring 205/65 on all four corners. Date codes on the tires show 2008 manufacture dates. Braking is handled by discs behind each wheel.
The cabin is finished in Gray Leather (278) lining the center armrest and door panels while Burl Walnut wood trim adorns the center console and dashboard with the lower portion of veneer being previously refinished. Features include an airbag steering wheel, automatic climate control, power windows, cruise control and an outside temperature indicator mounted in the dash. All electrical systems and functions operate as intended including the automatic climate control, air conditioning, and hardtop defrost. The original Becker head unit has been replaced with an aftermarket Kenwood unit featuring bluetooth and auxiliary audio.
The factory-optioned airbag steering wheel frames instrumentation including a 160-mph speedometer which also houses the analogue odometer reading 59k miles. Other gauges include a tachometer, fuel level indicator, fuel economy indicator, oil pressure, coolant temperature and an analogue clock. Below sit a row of warning lights alongside the controls for the resettable trip odometer.
This 300SL is powered by a 3.0-liter M103 inline-six which produced 185 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque when new. Included service documents show a comprehensive engine reseal including head gaskets, timing chain guides, crankshaft and cam seals, a distributor, a plug service with new wires, a valve guide service, and fuel pressure regulator. Additionally a transmission service and reseal was simultaneously performed. In 2020 another invoice is documented showing a new timing cover gasket, oil pan gasket, transmission pump seal, transmission tailshaft seal, rear main reseal, valve cover gaskets, and a suspension rebuild. More than $15k in maintenance is documented for this example in addition to regular services.
The Carfax report lists no accidents or damage reports, linear mileage updates, and three decades of reported service visits. This 300SL now shows 59k miles and is offered with the original window sticker, importation documents, complete service records, factory literature w/stamped service booklet, dealer key pouch with four keys, and a clean Texas title in the original owner’s name.
Videos below show a walk around, start-up, and driving functions.
The R107 is one of Mercedes’ best known and longest living chassis designs. Introduced for the 1972 model year, the R107 was in continuous production for 17 years until 1989 when the last version was produced. While the R107 underwent several powertrain changes and minor cosmetic updates, the platform remained largely unchanged throughout the run making it one of the most iconic MBs of all time. These long nose roadsters elicit immediate nostalgic reactions and offer tremendous driving enjoyment for a very reasonable price. While prices for low-mile 560sl examples have skyrocketed in recent years, the 280SL and 300SL have sprung past some of their V8 counterparts for rarity, weight distribution, and reliability making for a more “enthusiast-focused experience”. This specific example benefits from the rare 3.0L 6-cyl power plant making it lighter and more nimble than its V-8 counterparts. Combined with the desirable Euro-spec bumpers, lights, and powerplant, this example is a true european roadster that beams style and class from every angle. These are wonderful collector MBs that can be enjoyed frequently with very few headaches or major mechanical concerns, and we expect to see this 300SL on the road for many more years to come.
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16 Comments
Thank you all for bidding$33,000 bid placed by @Olly1962
$32,500 bid placed by @DMSwillGo
$32,000 bid placed by @Olly1962
$31,000 bid placed by @DMSwillGo
$29,500 bid placed by @Olly1962
$29,000 bid placed by @DMSwillGo
$28,500 bid placed by @Olly1962
$28,000 bid placed by @SIGINT
$27,500 bid placed by @Olly1962
$26,500 bid placed by @SIGINT
$26,000 bid placed by @Olly1962
@DMSwillGo Yes the hardtop fits perfect Thanks for biddingAmazing to see an 88. I had an 86 300SL many years ago and it was fun owning it. I now own an 86 500SL in similar anthracite exterior but with a palomino interior. The Euro bumpers and headlights are just so special. I took mine to a cars and coffee last weekend and it was well received. These are very rare as @rubinhoward600 alluded to. This will be a great one to own.@EuropeanC Safe to assume the hardtop fits well without issue?$24,000 bid placed by @DMSwillGo
Lortone Hello As you can see in the photos the speedometer is in MPH that is Miles Per Hour. So 59k miles. Thanks for watchingAs a Euro spec 300SL, does this example have 59k miles or kilometers?$22,000 bid placed by @Olly1962
$20,200 bid placed by @rolandgarcia
$19,950 bid placed by @Olly1962
$19,000 bid placed by @DMSwillGo
$18,750 bid placed by @Olly1962
$17,500 bid placed by @SIGINT
$16,750 bid placed by @Olly1962
$14,500 bid placed by @DMSwillGo
I've seen this car in person at the local MBCA cars and coffee... so cool to see one an M103 R107 with the infamous badge on the back. Whoever buys it should be very pleased with their purchase. It seems to be very well documented. I've seen a few 1986 300SL's appear for sale here and there... but I have never seen a 1988 become available. I would imagine not too many were built in their final years. GLWTAThe seller has added a photo of the datacard breakdown.$12,500 bid placed by @Olly1962
Actually, I don't. No doubt I should, but I don't. Was it recently? I look at entirely too many cars on line, which is why I have too many of them.@Jim_Rosenthal, dear Dr. Lucky you arent. Regards Berend …….. you remember the 1987 , 420SEL with 24k mls and the wrong radio?… :-)What a beautiful car. If I were going to buy a 107, it would be this one.@EuropeanC , thx for reply. Contact you when back in town this weekend. lind regards BHello I have a direct message from MBstyle (Berend) with some questions. Do you have the original odometer km/h? What else has been US adjusted? Are you seller for the owner or owner? These are the answers. I do not have the original odometer. The DOT, EPA conversion shop send the Speedometer to a shop and they converted the odometer over to miles and send it back . For EPA and DOT conversion I have all the original papers and both release papers. I am a dealer the title is still in the original owners name. I have also a copy of the German title with the same name on it. My dealer name is in the back as a first reassignment on the original TX title. It is a ONE owner car for sure. with all papers from day one. Thanks Otto 404 580 5676$9,500 bid placed by @DMSwillGo
Rare to see stateside or in Europe! Might have to bring this home.This thing is exquisite! You never see post-grey market 300SL Euros in the states like this...the right color too! Good luck to the seller!$1,500 bid placed by @oilman
Please update the description to reflect the correct M103 engine - this is not a 560SL!$250 bid placed by @Lemondrop