the value of my 280SL?

[bcjm]

1971 280SL 95K miles, 90% original no rust, 10% rust restored, original floors

My car has been sitting in the garage for the past 5 years.   Mice destroyed the new soft top.  It is hard to start.  After almost 30 years of ownership it is time to let it go (wife says so). 

The value of Mercedes SL always pretty flat.  Has that changed?  Looking at the ebay recent sales, a 1971 280SL needs restoration sold for more than 30K.

Should I just list it on ebay and let the market determines the value?

[mmizesko]

pictures?  I bought mine through this site, not ebay.  You'll get a good read on price through our membership.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Go to this link

Here ----> https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/search/auto

Fill in the details including your VIN then look at the descriptions for 1, 2 3 etc and compare it to your car. This will give you an idea what you can list it for and or expect.

Mike gave you a good tip, become a member and list it here in our for sale area. With pictures and a good description. Prices in the past 3 years have by no means been flat, they ha be doubled in value as you will see once you see the charts on Hagerty.

Good luck ....

Dieter

BTW ... I would never take the wife's advise or direction on maters like this.

[bcjm]

I bought the 280SL after selling my Jaguar XK120 DHC.  That was a bad investment. 

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

I am confused .... you had the car for 30 years ... now 5 years in the garage ...

what did you pay for the car 30 years ago? and how can you call it a bad investment?

There is no better investment (with bank rates less then 1%) then a Pagoda my friend.

In my opinion anyway ...

Dieter

[bcjm]

I am sure the 280SL does not appreciate like Jaguar XK120 DHC.  Again, we buy car not just for the money.  We buy car because we like the car.   I am just trying to see what will be fair value of the car and what is the best way to sell it.   Someone saw the car this past weekend offering to buy it for $25k.  That is why I start to check the value of the car now.

[Shvegel]

Pictures including pictures of the underside would be very helpful especially if you do list it on eBay.  There are many tales of buyers buying a complete mess on eBay for good money so people are getting smarter about what to look for.  Take it to the local garage and pay them to put it up on a lift and shoot some pictures.  If you can find someone to pressure wash the underside even better.    25 is low in the condition you describe with perfectly restored cars topping 200K.  35 is probably more like it but rust is always the deciding factor so the cleaner the body appears the more it will be worth.

They are asking 12,500 USD for this.  If they get it your car is worth a hundred.

http://www.beverlyhillscarclub.com/1967-mercedes-benz-230sl-pagoda-c-6220.htm

[Benz Dr.]

The right price is when everyone feels like it's the right price. There may be times where you could get more but maybe it's going to a good home and you know it will get good care so a bit less might be OK for you. 25K is a good starting point but maybe you can get more for it. If it's not a running car that will hurt your price quite a bit. It would probably pay you to at least get it running.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

I let the pictures below speak for themselves. My friend you got some good advise here. Get the car cleaned up and running take lots for pictures then listed it wherever you wish.

Good luck yo you.

Dieter