SL/R107: Advice on 1987 560SL
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Essex County, NJ
2006 E350 4MATIC
Advice on 1987 560SL
Greetings to all, happy holidays! My father has his eye on a 1987 560SL. The car has 55,000 on the ODO, paint (white), leather (blue), all looks to be in excellent condition. Second owner car, garage kept. Is there certain things we should look at on this 20+ year old car? Are these known for anything consistantly in need of repair? Dad thinks an offer of $11,000 would get him the car, but I told him to hold on, and let me ask the forum...
Appreciate, as always, any information or advice.
Tom
Appreciate, as always, any information or advice.
Tom
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 3
From: Overland Park, Kansas
SOLD both: 1987 560SL 2003 ML320
I bought an 87 just like you described, and all that I've had to have done so far is have a leaky steering box rebuilt, I replaced the fuel pumps (if the pumps buzz, count on replacing them), I needed a new coil, and I repaired the vacuum module for the fuel door. There is nothing chronically wrong with the 560SL's as a group. They were pretty much the best of the bunch. I paid $16K for mine and it had 90K miles. Excellent condition, though. For that price, I'd get it.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Essex County, NJ
2006 E350 4MATIC
Thanks for the reply. Dad bought the car for 12K. I have not seen it, but sounds like a really nice car; all original. I'll post a few pics when I get a chance to take them! He is happy...my mom just shakes her head. I told her; "at least he didn't buy the 2005 SL I had him looking at!!!" Merry Christmas, and safe travels to you.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
1987 560SL
I too just bought an 87 560SL white with blue leather! I paid 11k for it. The car is in Wisconsin I am in South Dakota. I bought it sight unseen. He tells me he paid 17k for it about 2,000 miles ago. He took it to the local MB dealer to have it looked over before he sold it. One issue the dealer found was a leaking steering shock. Is this an expensive fix? He also mentioned when the original Becker radio is turned on the speakers just flutter. Oh, and the wiper blades need replacing. I've done a lot of research and looking and I think I did very well for $11k. 
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 3
From: Overland Park, Kansas
SOLD both: 1987 560SL 2003 ML320
Having the steering box rebuilt on mine cost $645, so I imagine the shock will be a lot cheaper. As far as the radio, there is a company that rebuilds Becker radios and can even wire in an MP3 or iPOD jack and still keep the original appearance. They can also answer a lot of questions, so you might try contacting:
Ed Ebel
Becker AutoSound
201-773-0976
service@beckerautosound.com
I'll bet that he has some answers for you.
For $11K, you done good, son.
Ed Ebel
Becker AutoSound
201-773-0976
service@beckerautosound.com
I'll bet that he has some answers for you.
For $11K, you done good, son.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
1987 560SL
Having the steering box rebuilt on mine cost $645, so I imagine the shock will be a lot cheaper. As far as the radio, there is a company that rebuilds Becker radios and can even wire in an MP3 or iPOD jack and still keep the original appearance. They can also answer a lot of questions, so you might try contacting:
Ed Ebel
Becker AutoSound
201-773-0976
service@beckerautosound.com
I'll bet that he has some answers for you.
For $11K, you done good, son.
Ed Ebel
Becker AutoSound
201-773-0976
service@beckerautosound.com
I'll bet that he has some answers for you.
For $11K, you done good, son.
Trending Topics
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
1987 560SL
Having the steering box rebuilt on mine cost $645, so I imagine the shock will be a lot cheaper. As far as the radio, there is a company that rebuilds Becker radios and can even wire in an MP3 or iPOD jack and still keep the original appearance. They can also answer a lot of questions, so you might try contacting:
Ed Ebel
Becker AutoSound
201-773-0976
service@beckerautosound.com
I'll bet that he has some answers for you.
For $11K, you done good, son.
Ed Ebel
Becker AutoSound
201-773-0976
service@beckerautosound.com
I'll bet that he has some answers for you.
For $11K, you done good, son.
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 3
From: Overland Park, Kansas
SOLD both: 1987 560SL 2003 ML320
With the blue interior, the dash always cracks. I have not seen a blue one yet in a 107 that has not. I have a couple like you describe, and they have not been enough to motivate me to have the dash replaced. It is expected and even in the car shows that I've entered, they did not deduct for it. I plan to use my Leatherique dye and some crack filler to try to repair them this summer, but it's not a priority. There are dash-caps availble from a couple of sources that should match the color and make the dash look new, but they cost around $140 or so. I have seen them and they are an exact fit over the existing dash - pretty convincing.
Short story - don't let a couple of dash cracks be the only reason you don't buy the car. Even the experts don't recommend replacing the entire dash assembly unless there is significant damage.
Short story - don't let a couple of dash cracks be the only reason you don't buy the car. Even the experts don't recommend replacing the entire dash assembly unless there is significant damage.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
1987 560SL
With the blue interior, the dash always cracks. I have not seen a blue one yet in a 107 that has not. I have a couple like you describe, and they have not been enough to motivate me to have the dash replaced. It is expected and even in the car shows that I've entered, they did not deduct for it. I plan to use my Leatherique dye and some crack filler to try to repair them this summer, but it's not a priority. There are dash-caps availble from a couple of sources that should match the color and make the dash look new, but they cost around $140 or so. I have seen them and they are an exact fit over the existing dash - pretty convincing.
Short story - don't let a couple of dash cracks be the only reason you don't buy the car. Even the experts don't recommend replacing the entire dash assembly unless there is significant damage.
Short story - don't let a couple of dash cracks be the only reason you don't buy the car. Even the experts don't recommend replacing the entire dash assembly unless there is significant damage.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 3
From: Overland Park, Kansas
SOLD both: 1987 560SL 2003 ML320
PM sent with my email address. Also, a search on http://mbca.cartama.net/forumdisplay.php?f=70 for "dash crack" might turn up some more feedback
