Kevin Stanley asks:

I have a 1985 380Sl;  full load, heated seats, ac, hard top, etc.  I am the second owner and the car is all original with 92,000 km’s. It is teal with natural leather; 8 out of 10 condition. How can I determine the value today? Are they going up or down in value?
Thanks in advance, Kevin

John Olson replies:

All cars, even the greatest collector cars, depreciate painfully during their first decade (or two) of life… providing inadequate differentiation for rough treatment vs. careful preservation. Your mid-1980s car is currently in what I call its “limbo” years, when it is neither a newer car or old enough to be taken seriously as a collector car. The “hot” decade of appreciating older cars now is the 1960s — interesting models of all brands, especially convertibles (the safest bet to appreciate in all marques). Cars of the 1970s are just starting to be “cherry-picked” for the best preserved originals at low prices. Your decade is coming but in the meantime it is under-valued by the marketplace as compared to what it would cost to reincarnate a tired example to the condition of your car.

The only good news is that your car’s value has reached it’s “plateau” value range for the remainder of its time in “limbo”. That’s a plus for a buyer, or for you if you should decide you’re better off keeping it and enjoying it. Granted it doesn’t get the MPG we like to see today but you will lose more in annual depreciate on most newer cars that you spend annually in extra gas in any 1980s SL, plus you’re likely to be safer in a bad accident in an old Mercedes that many newer cars. Things to think about.

So, no, your 380SL should not go down further in value next year or even 10 years, than you can get this year, assuming proper care, no driving in salty seasons, etc. Finding it’s precise value would require a professional appraisal but the range is likely to be $6,000 to $12,000 –wholesale to retail, in my USA market. You didn’t mention your country of residence. Relatively speaking, what I’ve said here applies anywhere in the world.

Many of the SL Mercedes-Benz questions are answered in our SL Market Letter, published about 12 times per year. For a nominal subscription fee, you can have SL Mercedes price trends and exclusive SL articles written by author, John R. Olson – publisher of the SL Experience book. You can subscribe to the  SL Market Letter here.

Kimberly Damer   [stanfordalumni]

Hi – I was wondering what the fair market price - in a private sale - would be for a 1991 560 SEC COUPE (last yr. they made that model) WITH ONLY 50,000 miles – mint condition – black on black – originally priced at $110,000. Always garaged. My mom’s car for many years. Thanks.

OLSON RELPIES: Kim, Hmmm. Maybe $15,000. Maybe $10,000. All well preserved Mercedes-Benz of that period are undervalued at this stage in their life. That S-Class was very well built. BUT… today’s priority is on economy more than quality or luxury. Even safety of occupants in your SEC is higher than most any other car buyable for $15,000….   yet more people would put their money on a lighter, smaller car that would not withstand a rough accident.

Today’s Price range for your model may seem large, between $4,000 and $18,000, but is entirely justified as a poor one can’t be fixed for the price difference of a good one. An example with less than 15,000 miles might command even more that $18,000. 50,000 miles is desireable but not low. If you find a buyer that really digs the color, and condition and paint are original the car “might” bring $15,000. If you are in a position to walk away from $10,000 you could try for $15,000. Another tack would be to tell “bidders” that their $10,000 price is too low… your “buy it now” price is $14,000 (or whatever). If they want to gamble that you won’t find a buyer in 30 days… you might then lower your price… or if you get the raise you’re expecting you’ll keep it!  If they really like it and can afford it, they’ll not gamble on losing it, and pay your price now.

The 560SEC is a wonderful car. A worthy family treasure. Yours WILL reappreciate in value, slowly in future decades if you have an indoor place to keep it, give it 1,500+ miles per year of exercise, week-end getaways, car club socializing and preservation as a long term heirloom. It is not a cost-free  asset; only you and your family can decide if it is worth more to your lives than the $10,000/$15,000 you can get short term. You could buy another one to relive your past…  twenty years from now. Lots of people do that too.

Let me know what you do!  Good luck.

Purchasing, selling, restorations…each of these usually involves big bucks! If you need help or coaching on the phone before your current car decision, you've come to the right place. Editor John R. Olson is available for two hours every weekday for over-the-phone consulting on any Mercedes-Benz related subject.

While the SL Market Letter leans toward models most likely to hold long-term value, the questions that John receives are 50/50 between newer and older models. If John is unavailable when you call, leave a message stating when you will call back, and John will do his best to accomodate you. Or contact us by email. This service has become popular with people who are new to Mercedes-Benz or new to the specific model that they now seek.