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1982 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (R107)

Sold Price

£12,720

  • Mileage~86,034 on clock
  • TransmissionAutomatic
  • Engine2.8-litre
  • LocationWanborough

SOLD

1982 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (R107)

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Introduction

Darren Rungasamy
Automotive Editor, Photographer and Consigner

The R107 Mercedes SL has to be considered one of the greatest examples of German engineering.

The Mercedes-Benz R107 SL is a well-known icon and has become something of a default choice for those looking for dependable quality open-top motoring. When compared to other historic cars of a similar vintage, the strong performance, smooth ride, and excellent build quality are what set it apart. By the virtues of its careful ownership profiles, unstressed simple engines and excellent parts availability, their reputation for reliability as well as genuine provision for comfort and ergonomics makes them almost default options for the thinking person's idea of an open-top classic car.

This 1982 280 SL comes with a detailed and regular service schedule and has seen extensive cosmetic work over the last 20 years, including the renewal of the bulkhead. The car also will be legible to road tax-free status in a couple of months and comes with an excellent hood, original factory colour hardtop, as well as a smartly-presented exterior.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Rachel the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

The experience of driving the car always puts a smile on my face!

Owned by the family for 7 years, the SL was bought as a weekend and occasional car and has always been stored inside the house garage. Rachel is a fan of open-top motoring, the regal appearance of the SL often turns heads as she enjoys the goodwill and camaraderie it brings out in strangers.

The car has seen a recent lack of use, and she hopes that the proceeds from the sale of the car will contribute to a deposit toward her son's house.

Rachel
Vehicle Owner

Rachel saved £2,160* when they
sold their Mercedes with us.

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Exterior

The handsome colour conceals this SL's true age while reinforcing its beautiful build quality.

Wheels and Tyres

The tyres are all older than ten years old, with the nearside rear item showing slightly more signs of age than the others. The alloys have recently seen a spruce up and present well with no significant damage.

Bodywork

The bulkhead has been treated to extensive work in recent years and appears to be in good shape. The floor pan is tidy, with the engine bay, hood well, suspension mounts and boot floor looking solid.

The top sections of the inner wings are solid, although the lower sections, particular on the nearside inner sill sections will need attention. Some light blemishes are also coming through on the opposite side.

The front section of the chassis rails shows wear, but overall the structure is in good shape. Externally the panelwork is in very good condition, with just a blemish noted on the nearside front wing close to the indicator, and minor blemishes noted on the inner lip of the nearside arch. With the exception of very light minor dents on the boot lid, the body is decent revealing a cohesive panel fit with equal gaps. All doors open and close with no obstructions, with all hinges up to the job.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our hi-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view at what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The elegant Silver-Blue paint finish has been well applied throughout, with an even smooth lustre and good colour match. There is the odd sign of age in places, mostly in terms of road chips, a little scraping on the front edge of the hardtop and a few marks on the rear scuttle but the car presents very well.

Again, we have taken hi-resolution images and videos of the car for you to assess the condition of the bodywork for yourselves.

Glass and Trim

The glass is in good shape, with no impediments or damage noted on any of the panes, including the hard top glass and soft top flexi-screen. The chrome trim has lasted well, with the rear boot embellishment showing its age but everything else is in good condition, including the bumpers. The rubber trim is free of significant scuffs but shows signs of minor distortion in places.

Interior

The durable and familiar cabin is an exercise in design simplicity.

Seats and Carpets

With the exception of the driver seat cushion, which shows obvious fabric wear, the seats are in good shape. The carpets have worn well, with no signs of dampness. The car is fitted with aftermarket mats. The headlining on both roofs is free from dampness or marks.

Dashboard

The dashboard is in good shape.

The padding shows a little sign of age close to the edges of the windscreen, but overall is in good condition, with no significant damage to the facia. The veneer and plastic trim are in a tidy state.

The controls and switches are all functional, the recent fitment of the Sony Bluetooth stereo adding a little modernity to the SL's ergonomic cabin.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel is in good shape, having worn the years well.

The gear lever is in a similarly good condition, betraying the age of the car.

Mechanics

Impressively refined and silent, the car glides neatly at speed.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine starts up with no hesitation, the owner commented that even during longer periods of garage storage, the car often starts up on the button.

There are no notable issues with the engine, no unwanted noises and no observations of fluid leaks.

The exhaust didn't produce any smoke, as the dashboard lights remained in check. The gearbox is said to select drive with no problems, and kicks down with ease.

The car has seen a steady amount of servicing over the years.

Suspension and Brakes

The suspension is well capable of dealing with the uneven roads of the countryside, on the move, the car reveals no squeaks or knocking during the road review.

The braking is impressively efficient, with no sponginess or performance issues in regards to their operation. The steering is said to be direct, with no pulling or unwanted vibrations.

The Drive

The SL has gained a rightful reputation for being a perfect example of the modern classic, able to deal with the pace, conditions and state of the roads with ease.

The car is typically composed at town speeds and gathers speed in a stately fashion. The owner has said it feels safe and solid and was quite happy to use it for daily use, particularly during the warmer temperatures. Comfortable, smooth and quiet to drive, there is no scuttle shake and it was not too buffeted by the dual carriageway speeds.

Electrics and Other

The car comes with what appears to be a near flawless dark blue soft top. It is free of any marks or damage and raises and lowers with no issues at all.

The body colour hardtop fits snuggly with the cable having seen recent attention. The side visors are a little stubborn to adjust. The electric windows operate seamlessly with no strain from the motors.

History and Paperwork

The bulkhead was professionally renewed in 2015 and the car comes with an impressive service history.

The car has been well looked after by the succession of its owners, with regular servicing and upkeep prominent in the impressive stack of paperwork. The last major work on the car was a bill for £3,000, which covered the professional preparation and renewal of the bulkhead. In 2015, a Mercedes main dealer performed its most recent service on it, which cost over £1000. Since then, it has only travelled about 1000 miles.

There is also additional paperwork to suggest brake, sundries and maintenance repairs from this time.

The car has retained a good body of its previous MOTs, which cover several registration changes, and a brief spell abroad. It has seen some bodywork renovation too, with evidence of panel work carried out, with an estimated £12,000 spent on the car between 2000 and 2010. Additional receipts go back to the late '80s and the car comes with its handbook, service booklet and original data card. The MOT is due in August 2022.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a HPi check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
05-08-2021 MOT 85,972
14-07-2018 MOT 85,275
22-07-2017 MOT 85,251
20-05-2016 MOT 84,953
11-11-2015 Service 84,931
30-04-2015 MOT 84,564
15-07-2013 MOT 84,372
21-04-2011 MOT 79,771
17-05-2010 Service 76,855
17-05-2010 MOT 76,855
06-05-2009 Service 76,403
06-05-2009 MOT 76,403
25-04-2008 MOT 73,131
24-04-2008 Service 73,129
16-05-2007 MOT 68,371
16-05-2007 Service 68,370
17-05-2006 MOT 62,140
13-05-2006 Service 62,140
04-08-2005 MOT 61,598
05-08-2004 MOT 60,945
30-05-2003 Service 59,673
30-05-2003 MOT 59,680
18-07-2002 MOT 59,193
20-03-2002 Service 58,324
02-08-2001 MOT 56,938
03-08-2001 Service 56,936
01-09-2000 Service 51,564
21-10-1999 MOT 44,016
21-10-1999 Service 44,014
02-06-1999 MOT 42,951
11-11-1997 MOT 38,808
31-10-1997 MOT 38,626
07-02-1997 Service 36,611
18-04-1995 MOT 34,239
05-04-1994 MOT 33,116
05-02-1993 MOT 31,851
07-08-1992 Service 29,998
10-02-1992 MOT 28,577
15-01-1991 MOT 24,115
14-01-1991 Service 24,108
16-11-1989 Service 18,002
31-10-1989 MOT 17,827
13-10-1988 MOT 14,273
10-08-1987 Service 11,426
04-08-1984 Service 6,114
01-12-1982 Service 884
Key Details
  • Model280 SL
  • TransmissionAutomatic
  • Reg. Date14-10-1982 - SGF 347Y
  • CC2746cc
  • Mileage86,034 on clock
  • HistoryYes
  • ColourSilver-Blue
  • Interior ColourBlue
  • Interior TrimCloth
  • Chassis #10704222014569
  • Engine #11099022002106
  • Last Service11-11-2015
  • RestoredPartially
  • Engine RebuildNo
  • MOTYes Exp. 04-08-2022
  • MOT ExemptNo
  • Road Tax ExemptNo
  • HPi ClearYes - Clear
  • Former Keepers8
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned7 years
  • Key FeatureRenovated Bulkhead
  • Auction ID467301







Vehicle Sold

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Ask Questions
Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.
Kulraj Salh
Admin

Reserve Met. Best, Kulraj – Trade Classics

RoyFrankland
Member
RoyFrankland

Hi, I see the mot runs out next month, would it come with a new mot please?

Stevebunker
Member
Stevebunker

Hi Rachel, I am a genuine private buyer and have a couple of questions about your SL. Is the car garaged and does it have any damp problems / smells? Many thanks, Steve

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Vehicle Location

Wanborough, Wiltshire

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