1984 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL |

Sold

1984 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£13,780

Mileage~102,031
TransmissionAutomatic
Engine2.8L
LocationFarnham

SOLD

1984 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Automotive Editor, Photographer and Consigner

A classic tourer with an additional dose of durability and finesse.

Mercedes-Benz have a reputation for comfortable touring cars, it's been well established prior to the R107 SL making its first appearance in 1972. The brand's virtues were strengthened by the SL's ingrained quality, ease of use and mechanical hardiness. All this has made it into one of the easiest to own classic tourers today. Robust engineering and durable materials go a long way into making the SL a safe choice for those who like to travel in style without the uncompromising nature of other open-top classics of the era. Powered by the surprisingly frugal yet flexible 2.8-litre straight-six engine, the car can still hold its own on modern roads. With decent accommodation, the availability of a hardtop roof, and excellent parts availability, the SL continues to flourish in popularity.

Currently with its fourth female owner, this 1984 280 SL has only seen ~8,000 carefully driven miles over the last 20 years, and has an impeccable service history. Stored indoors throughout during this time, the car has seen plenty of attention to ensure its runs just as it should.

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

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.

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

We took the car up to the Highlands a few years back, and the car performed admirably.

Bought in 2000, to replace a Triumph Spitfire, the SL has been garaged throughout that period and used regularly by the owner's wife - the car is registered under her name, and looking back into the old V5’s it appears to have been owned by lady owners since it was new. Used for occasional journeys and the odd touring holiday, the car is now being sold due to a house move.

As the technically-minded owner of two classic cars, unfortunately the new house will only be able to accommodate a single classic. In addition, it has seen decreasing use in recent years and the owners feel that it needs to be used more. Ron and his wife will be more than happy to answer any questions you have on the car in the comments section below.

Ron

Vehicle Owner

Ron saved £2,340* when they
sold their Mercedes with us.

SELLING MADE EASY

We'll take the photos & create the listing.
We'll market it to our 62K buyers & online.
You'll keep your car until it's paid for.

PEACE OF MIND FOR BUYERS

They can fully review our cars online.
They can buy on our trusted platform.
They're able to buy without leaving home.

LEARN MORE

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Finished in a decadent and very '80s colour, the timeless SL still retains an air of glamour to this day.

Wheels and Tyres

Fitted with the "Mexican Hat" wheels that came with the pre-facelift examples, the alloys have aged well. There is no significant signs of damage or kerb contact, just small small marks to the other edges on some wheels. The tyres are in good health, likely to be over 20 years old but all have a healthy amount of tread.

We've taken detailed photos and videos for you to review in the external media pack.

Bodywork

Structure wise the car is in great shape, with no issues noted on the bulkhead, chassis rails, engine bay, or boot well. The car saw some welding to the rear valance prior to the current owner buying the car, and they don't recall any other major work needing to take place.

On close inspection, we spotted a few blemishes under the paint bubbling through. Most notably these are on the lower edges of the wings, front valance, and lower sections of the wheel arch lips. The nearside front section of the sill also may warrant further attention. Please review the images of the car to see the condition.

The body-coloured hardtop is stored in the owner's garage and wasn’t accessible on the day of the photoshoot, but is said to be in good condition and comes as part of the sale, we'll try to get a picture to add to the auction listing.

Paint

The champagne metallic paint finish is good throughout, with an even balance of colour on all panels and a decent lustre. The shine is consistent with no signs of poor repair. There are a few minor marks on the paint, such as the off-side door edges and the section in between the boot lid and rear glass being the main point of note, but overall its presentation is very good for a car of this age and mileage as can be seen in the external video.

Glass and Trim

The glass has weathered well, with no impediments of note. The chrome work has also been well maintained, with no signs of pitting or dents. The underside of the front bumper shows signs of age, but the rest of the bumper rubber and side trims are good with no significant marks.

Please see the image gallery for more detailed images.

VIEW ALL

INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

The measure of a well-kept interior is always a good reflection of its owners

Seats and Carpets

The interior has worn well over the years, with no significant damage noted. The seats were re-covered prior to the current owner buying the car. There is a little wear noted on the base of the front seats and a little aging on the driver's item but all free from rips or unsightly damage. The car is fitted with the desirable rear bench which has been fitted from the factory. The carpets and rubber mats are all in good condition with no signs of damp. The boot carpet similarly has been well preserved and is dry.

Dashboard

The top of the dashboard is in very good condition, with no other cracks or damage noted on the facia. All of the dials, controls, and switches are functional, with the exception of the indicator light reading on the dashboard but they are still audible. The heating is very effective, with electric windows in fully functioning order. The interior plastics and veneer have aged well and the door cards are in good shape, with just a little scuffing noted on the driver's side.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel is in very good shape, with limited suggestions of wear. The gear stick is similarly solid, with no issues of note.

VIEW ALL

'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

Durability is a given with the SL, and this car is no exception.

Engine and Gearbox

The car runs very well, starting up after the first frost of the season, it suggests no issues as seen in the video. On the move, the engine pulls very well, idling well in traffic and cruising sweetly at speed with no suggestions of oil or temperature woes.

The engine has been well maintained over the years and sounds healthy with no unwanted noises. The gear change is slick and effective with all ratios working well.

Suspension and Brakes

The brakes have seen regular attention during the current owner's custodianship, with overhauls being actioned every decade, including a recent set of new discs and pads. They are very effective in use, with no squeals or drama. The suspension is typically absorbent, soaking in the lumpy roads with no issues or unwanted knocking observed.

The Drive

The ideal car for longer A-road journeys, the SL is also agile and able to deal with modern driving conditions with no problems - please view the 'on the road' video to see it being driven by Ron. The car cruises really nicely at around 50MPH, with the owner reporting that 30MPG is easily achievable.

Electrics and Other

The soft top presents in excellent condition both from the inside and outside, thanks to its sympathetic indoor storage. It raises and lowers with no issues, with the mechanisms all operating as expected.

There are no reported issues with the car's electrics, all items are said to work with the exception of one of the dashboard indicator signal lights as pointed out in the "On the road" video.

VIEW ALL

History and Paperwork

Offered with a full-service history, 4 lady owners, the car has been pampered since new.

The paperwork helps to confirm that the engine has been very well maintained throughout its life, with Mercedes-Benz service history up to the late ‘90s and regular attention since then to ensure that it is running as well as possible. The car has seen sporadic use in recent years, with MOT certificates to confirm the car's recent mileage. There are several other invoices with the car, which cover maintenance rather than repair concerns.

It comes with two keys, the owner's wallet with all of the booklets and handbooks, as well as the original data card and pre-delivery sales check. The MOT is until June 2022.

We’ve done all our usual checks; seller ID, V5C, HPi.

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
24-06-2021	Service	101,923
09-06-2021	MOT	101,892
12-06-2018	MOT	101,715
20-05-2014	MOT	101,522
22-03-2010	MOT	100,969
26-06-2008	MOT	100,412
25-06-2007	MOT	99,976
30-06-2006	MOT	98,777
08-08-2003	MOT	98,184
26-06-2002	MOT	97,486
28-06-2001	MOT	96,293
15-06-2001	Service	96,124
29-06-2000	MOT	93,435
15-06-2000	Service	93,438
06-04-1999	MOT	88,101
06-04-1999	Service	88,101
09-04-1998	MOT	83,530
01-04-1998	Service	83,529
03-03-1997	Service	80,815
1996	Service	76,110
21-03-1995	Service	73,320
11-03-1994	Service	70,775
18-08-1993	Service	69,719
16-06-1992	Service	65,473
05-09-1991	Service	62,589
06-12-1990	Service	60,076
03-07-1990	Service	55,783
10-08-1989	Service	50,353
30-06-1988	Service	41,839
15-12-1987	Service	37,646
22-04-1987	Service	31,782
1986	Service	24,826
21-11-1985	Service	19,534
09-07-1985	Service	12,101
05-02-1985	Service	5,670
05-09-1984	Service	990