I'm looking to sell a classic car in the near future and was wondering if anyone on here has any experience or recommendations. I've talked to a couple consignment shops (Gateway Classic Cars, etc.) and left the conversations feeling a little skeptical as to whether that would be better than just posting it online.

FWIW its a 1986 Mercedes-Benz SL560 convertible. Red with black interior and all original everything, including the factory sticker on the hard top. I don't think it's ever been driven with the hard top on. It's been very well cared for and has 135k miles. I essentially inherited it and don't really have the time/desire to care for it like I should. I am located in the Houston area.

Thanks in advance!

I'd check out eBay prices and see if that helps. Might also try to find an owner's forum & list it there once you've determined a price. I think it's collectible, but with that kind of mileage it'll probably scare off true collectors and drive your price down.

I don't know if it's quite old enough yet, but my grandmother had an old Mercedes coupe when she passed away a couple of years ago. Probably 70's era. She lived in florida, and a Mercedes museum bought it. Hers was a classic old person car though, minuscule miles, all original, other than some wear on the dash knobs. She literally never did anything but drive to bridge. If she needed to go a long ways, someone else came and picked her up.

If it were me I would probably list it on Bring A Trailer: https://bringatrailer.com/.

ATL Aggie said:

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If it were me I would probably list it on Bring A Trailer: https://bringatrailer.com/.

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Correct answer.

meggy09 said:

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ATL Aggie said:

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If it were me I would probably list it on Bring A Trailer: https://bringatrailer.com/.

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Correct answer.

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If they'll accept it. Not just any car can be listed on there.

Post pics here, I'm perusing BaT daily and old MBs are one of my favorites.

I have a friend that's sold a Chevelle, DeSoto, and a LandCruiser (almost) on Ebay and I think he does alright.

Thanks for the info. Had not heard of Bring a Trailer. I don't have any "for sale" quality pics yet (still pretty early on in this process), but here are some just from my phone.

EDIT: I guess since I am a rookie poster I can't post pics without a link. I finally decided to upgrade from lurker status for this post. I'll try to find a image host to upload to and post links.

Those pics do not show.

Let's try this again.

https://imgur.com/a/6obeljC

Bring a Trailer is the hot spot right now to get the best price on an online auction. You send them pictures and description and their editors decide if it is good enough for their site - if they say yes they help you write the copy and suggest extra pictures videos etc. Work with them and they will help you put out a great marketing/ad piece on your vehicle. If you get on there be prepared to be VERY involved in the chat - this is the best part of their auction IMHO. You will get lots of real-time questions that you need to be prepared to answer. There are very informed folks on there - many internet know-it-alls but they usually know their sheet on specific cars. Will question very specific aspects - be prepared to answer.

Be prepared to post videos of the car running and driving. Be ready to take additional pictures addressing specific questions about components or rust issues etc. If you do all the work and are involved in the chat and actively/quickly answer questions you can do really well. Not as good as at a live Mecom Auction if it gets hot, bet better than e-bay and other online auction sites.

Just my 2 cents

Thanks, that is helpful info. That may be a little much for me. Unfortunately, I am not very knowledgeable about vehicles in general, let alone this one. Outside of general information, I don't think I'd be much help answering any questions about anything other than my anecdotal experience of driving the car around the neighborhood. Maybe the consignment shops would be better for me in that sense.

1ags could probably help you with the BAT trailer stuff. He helps some of the fellow Houston TexAg'ers with their cars in exchange for beers (I think).

I may not be able to answer a ton of questions, but I can certainly provide beers. Thanks!

That's a fine looking automobile.

So you have a price in mind?

I have an '87. Can you post a pic of the instrument cluster and dash? If it's not cracked and the numbers on the dials and needles are still orange you've got a unicorn.

My advice would be to post it on the benzworld and pelican parts forums before signing up for any sort of auction site. If you find a buyer there you'll come out ahead. Looking forward to selling mine, I don't have time for it and since there are two kids now it's in the garage a lot. When there was only one it was great because he could sit right next to me.

Here's the other pic:


There are two current 560SLs on BaT:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-mercedes-benz-560sl-49/

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1987-mercedes-benz-560sl-73/

Don't be scared off of BAT. They will help you get the ad copy right and can even help you find any info you dont have. Also once it is posted the commenters will help you find any info they want, specific pictures they want to see etc.

Thanks, I may have to give them a serious look.

Drumboy, I have a ballpark number in my head that I'd like to get for it. Probably a little south of what those two on BaT are bidding at currently. From my understanding the '87-'89s get a little higher market value because those are toward the tail end of this body style.

Fife, here's a link to a pic of the dash. The needles seem to various shades of yellow-orange. Not really sure what that means. Again, not the highest quality. Just from my phone.

https://imgur.com/a/RbXNXwJ

Those look pretty dang good to me.

Good luck with your potential sale!

Those have less miles but I'm sure the bids will go up. There are also a couple nice once on Houston CL.

Where are you located? Make sure you post details here when you list it.

jc1402 said:

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Thanks, I may have to give them a serious look.

Drumboy, I have a ballpark number in my head that I'd like to get for it. Probably a little south of what those two on BaT are bidding at currently. From my understanding the '87-'89s get a little higher market value because those are toward the tail end of this body style.

Fife, here's a link to a pic of the dash. The needles seem to various shades of yellow-orange. Not really sure what that means. Again, not the highest quality. Just from my phone.

https://imgur.com/a/RbXNXwJ

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It's just something people tend to look at since it's an indicator of sun exposure over time. Also it's something a lot of people send their gauges back to VDO to redo since the discoloration is annoying. If the car has the original radio and it works that will help the sale. Also if the wood is damaged around the center console, replacements are inexpensive. Be prepared to answer questions about timing chain guides and intake manifold gaskets.

Dashes tend to crack around the defrost vents, the top/right of the gauge cluster and the little cutout in the middle for the air temperature sensor intake. I have no idea why they didn't switch to making them out of the same material the W126s uses since that seems to be more or less immortal. Mercedes kept too many things the same when they switched over to the 560SL, there are a lot of things they could have improved upon over time.

Yeah there is some cracking in the wood on my center console, but not awful.

Thanks for everyone's input. Looks like I have some research to do.

I'll post again here whenever I actually list it.

560 SL is the one to have of the R107 series.

I would keep it unless you need the money....It'll be worth 3 times that in about 10 years, if you can still buy gas (kidding)!

Keep it garaged, drive it once a month if you can avoid the temptation for more.