« SL Market QA: Mercedes 107 Ride Quality Updating Springs and Shocks | Main | QA: 1985 380SL Valuation Trends »
1986 300SL: Value of Repainting New Color
By slmarket | June 15, 2009
Nicolas asks:
I have a 300sl 1986 Model drives fantastic it is currently Metalic silver/Green with Green Interior . . . eerrrre – purchased the car because it was very well looked after and was in need of a new owner. I purchased it for 24,000 AUD. (In pounds – estimated to be 8000.00.) I am never planning to stage it as a prize original Mercedes in any competition. But if I were to change the combination what are my 3 best options? Red with Palomino interior, Silver with Black or Blue, Black – I just don’t like the Green. Also would I be increasing the value of this type of car, decreasing or making no difference to the value overall? Please help as I am trying to settle a debate.
John Olson answers:
I always lament a car’s first “respray” as they are never as durable (even with famous brands of paint they bruise much easier) and rarely duplicate original quality (being either too good or not good enough).
Not liking a color is another matter.* Personally, if the paint is well preserved as you’ve describe, I would be a dutiful custodian and live with it; Not what you want to hear I’m sure but the risks mentioned in the first paragraph are very real as original paint is applied in special, electronic spray booths before the interior, wiring harness(es) and engine are installed… making full stripping, re-coverage and total adherence during a color change extremely labor intensive; removal of all glass, chrome, doors, rubber, etc. Shortcut these steps and the result will look bad immediately rather than 18 months later when bruises and chipped accumulate. *Green is not as popular as world-wide as it is in Germany however in your country fewer green cars are sold, largely balancing supply and demand. Psychologists tell us the two colors most comforting to the human eye are green and blue, as they appear some much in nature. An interesting side not is that collectors of 300SL Gullwings today often seek out the rarest colors offered on these cars when doing frame-off show-caliber restorations, as there are so many Silver, white and red 300SLs. Grass is alway greener on the other side of the fence? No bun intended.
If your car’s paint was already hopelessly weathered and partially repainted due to fender-benders, I would say for it… change the color without a high-end, detailed stripping, as the unique charm of a well preserved original paint job has already passed.
The 1974 – 1989 R107 body six cylinder SLs are fantastic cars. There is a lot to be said for Mercedes-Benz six cylinder engines generally. Spunky, durable, economical, easy to maintain and service. And, the most famous and valuable SL of the all is a Mercedes-Benz six.
Topics: Questions & Answers | 1 Comment »
June 24th, 2009 at 6:33 am
So If money was no option / what would be the most desirable color combo on a 1986 300sl. I have the palomino leather interior already. What should i paint the outside of the car. Blue, Red, Silver, White, Black.?