Lighting the fuse: Why the difference in SL values between 230SL and 280SL

[jf308]

Nothing like a good "debate" on the forum.  I do not get why 280 SL's are at such a premium over similar condition 230SL's?  It can't be the addition of a couple HP, headrests and two more disc brakes.  Besides, 230 manufacturing volumes are so much less (especially USA imports) that I would think would contribute to a 230 rarity value.

What is driving this other than just a newer model year impact? or are the values in actuality much closer to 15 to 20% diff.

I find this hard to believe, and even harder to justify.

Hagerty  values for a 280SL Avg $58 to $61.  High of the graph at $143k.


Condition 4 to Condition 1
Aug 2014   $39,700   $58,500   $86,000   $143,000   (add $4500 for hardtop, 10% for 4 speed, 17% for 5 speed, 15% for AC)


Hagerty  values for a 230SL Avg $38.  High of the graph at just $90k.
230SL
Aug 2014   $24,000   $37,000   $51,000   $90,000  (same adders above).

[Cees Klumper]

As said by a famous plastic surgeon: "the difference between a beautiful woman and a less beautiful woman is a matter of millimeters". It's mostly psychological I believe, but I remember when I was looking for my Pagoda I only considered 280 SLs for some reason. Apparently many buyers have the same preference. Those who don't can own a Pagoda for less.

[mbzse]

.../... I do not get why 280 SL's are at such a premium over similar condition 230SL's?../....I find this hard to believe, and even harder to justify

One thing that may influence this, is the fact that many parts for the 230SL are NLA, and thus hard to source. And/or are expensive, like pistons. Try finding a replacement M127 II engine head...
/Hans in Sweden
.

[RobSirg]

here's my 2c worth...

No idea really!

I don't even like the headrests - preferring the clean lines with the top down - thankfully neither of my 280SL's have headrests.

I'm the first to admit the interior and hubcaps of the 230SL are prettier and I wish the 280SL's had those features.

When I first expressed interest in the Pagoda, I was told but a car-loving colleague that the 280SL was the one to get. Why? Last model being more reliable, power steering, more power, higher values - more sought after.

I almost bought a 250SL first up as the seller had me convinced that the 250SL had the best of both worlds and with such low production numbers would be more collectable. It was a California version (no soft top) - which is not convenient in Melbourne Australia, so I didn't buy it. After more research I decided the 280SL was the one to get  - purely because the public value them higher so there must be some valid reason........the "me-too" factor I guess.

[Garry]

Having owned both, I much prefer the 230SL to the 280SL for a few reasons.

Firstly the 230SL is as it was designed, not a car designed to the North American market for safety and emissions regulations, thus you get the ‘prettier’ comment with more chrome, more harder surfaces and straight lines no bulky headrests etc etc etc.. On the power side I dont think there would be more than a few here on this forum that could pick the difference. After the pollution controls dull the 280SL it is pretty close to the 230SL and other than racing, would not come into play.

Power steering was an option on 230’s and 250SL's and most have it.

Absolute top of the line 230SL vs 280SL is a fine line on values same as an absolutely original 230SL to a 280SL. but certainly agree that average drivers have a price variance. Thus if you want a top level Pagoda, not just putting a resale value on it, but with the intent of restoring it to keep long term, then a 230SL is certainly the cheaper starter and way to go as you then have more potential value gains to restore it properly and the real potential that it will all equal out over time.  The 300SL market has certainly demonstrated that.

Reality is though, that the earlier 250SL with the 230SL chrome ware but the upgraded engine and brakes really should be the pick and I am pretty confident betting that in the long run they will actually become the pick of the cars after they all exceed 50-60 even 70 years old.

At the moment if I was in the classic car sales industry, I would be putting a premium on the 280SL as well.  Why not, there are more of them for trading, the market thinks they are the business with out knowing why and thus making them much easier to flip to the uninformed.

Totally agree that the Californian Coupe has some value problems in any market.

Garry.

[Shvegel]

I wasn't shopping for a Pagoda. I just found mine out back of a mechanics shop in Ohio so I never "decided" to buy a 280SL but I simply think that most of it is mere psychology with people thinking that 280 is a bigger number and is somehow better than a smaller number.  The values of the 107 body seem to be doing the same with nice 560SL's still commanding the highest prices.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Like Shvegel  I was not shopping for a Pagoda when I found my 280SL lonely in the back of a American 50s 60s car collector in the back of his garage. My neighbour took me there to see the car collection. I found out then that the 280 SL was for sale and simply fell in love with it remembering only way back in the 60s when I drove a new one (I cannot remember if the new one I then drove was a 230, 250 or 280, I do remember I could not afford it then). When I saw this car first (in the collecters garage) I had no idea about the differences from one to the other except for HP and improvements etc. based upon model year. I simply decided to purchase the car since it was a great deal and a well kept car.

[scoot]

... almost bought a 250SL first up as the seller had me convinced that the 250SL had the best of both worlds and with such low production numbers would be more collectable.

Everyone has a different opinion.  I'm of the mind set also that an EARLY 250 SL (with the 230 SL interior and exterior styling, more chrome, less US DOT stuff) is the best choice.  Those also have the early-style wheels with the dog dish / trim rings instead of the full wheel covers.  I don't think the production numbers matter.

[stickandrudderman]

I think the price difference is driven by the ignorance of buyers and nothing else.
Anyone well informed knows that there are pros and cons to all models and I know I am not alone in preferring the 230 over all of them. However, I like the 230 most not because of the aesthetic differences but because I think they are the better driver's car. A well sorted 230 with a manual box is quite a sporty drive and the motor just loves to get up and go.
BUT, the uninitiated are all under the impression that the 280 is the better car and that's why they're worth more.
As for the 107, here in the UK it is the 300SL with the M103 engine that is the most desirable in the market with values for good ones of those now approaching the same as pagodas of just a few years ago.

[jameshoward]

I'm with Stick. I think it's a lack of understanding.

The 280s greater engine capacity should not be confused with any inability by the 230 to deliver power to a lesser standard. I think the torque ranges are similar, are they not? (I'm hoping Michael will come in here, as a staunch defender of the 280; he will have the detail, I am sure).

I'd agree that the 230 is prettier, and drives very nicely. I have 230, although it has a (Sedans)  3,46 rear end. I drove a 280 auto last weekend (one of Andy T's old cars, which is stunning) and it was noticeably quicker than my car. But if I were to go back to the days when I had the 4,08, my 230 manual would have given it a run for its money, although I'd have worked harder than my friend, Tim, the 280s owner. I doubt that the price difference has very much at all to do with availability of parts, although as someone who looks after his own car, I feel that pain regularly. Those who can afford to pay £70k+ for a pagoda can afford to make NLA parts someone else's problem.

Like some others, I'm not a fan of the head rests. And no one has yet mentioned cooling...! Then someone should mention the camshaft and bearings. I buy that one, though.

I think 230s should come at a premium!

[rutger kohler]

I would have to say, personally, that my 1969 manual stick shift ticks all the boxes for me.  Picked up from the factory in Germany originally so none of the US model options and better still no emission control, no power steering to suck out 16% of engine ouput either although I have overhauled a complete set to install if I want to.  Disc brakes all round, bigger engine and a stick shift, couldn't belive my luck when it came up for sale.