My expert opinion and pricing analysis on the offer
This 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL in Cream over a Palomino leather interior is listed on Exotic Car Trader for $26,499 with 82,276 miles on the odometer (exempt/TMU). It’s a late-production R107 SL with the 5.6-liter V8, 4-speed automatic, both the body-color removable hardtop and a brown soft top, and the original Becker Grand Prix AM/FM cassette radio. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, this is a proper West Coast car, which is always a good sign when shopping for a classic that’s nearly four decades old.
According to Classic.com, the average sale price for a Mercedes-Benz 560SL (R107) is $30,955, with recorded sales ranging from $4,000 for a rough example to well into six figures for concours-quality, low-mileage specimens. Classics on Autotrader lists the average asking price for a 1988 560SL at approximately $31,219, with current listings ranging from $10,750 to $75,000. The broader R107 SL market averages $23,934 across all variants. Recent auction results show the range in action: a 1988 560SL sold on Bring a Trailer in January 2026 for approximately $19,800. At $26,499, this 560SL is priced below the Classic.com average and well below the Autotrader average for the model year. That positions it as a solid value proposition, particularly given the desirable Cream-over-Palomino color combination and the inclusion of both tops.
You can explore the full market data for the Mercedes-Benz 560SL on Classic.com here.
Video walk around on this exact Mercedes-Benz 560SL for sale
The offer
- Make: Mercedes-Benz
- Model: 560SL (R107)
- Year: 1988
- Mileage: 82,276 (Exempt / TMU)
- Engine: 5.6L Naturally Aspirated V8 (M117)
- Power: 227 HP / 287 lb-ft
- Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic
- Drive type: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
- Exterior color: Cream
- Interior color: Palomino Leather
- Asking price: $26,499
- Vehicle location: San Luis Obispo, California
- Interested in this 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL? View the listing here.
Thinking about selling your car?
Get a free value estimate and list it online with Exotic Car Trader. Click here to learn more.
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL listing details
The 5.6-liter M117 V8 under that long, elegant hood produces 227 horsepower and 287 lb-ft of torque, fed by Bosch KE-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection. These numbers won’t pin you to the seat by modern standards, but in a car that was designed for effortless highway cruising rather than stoplight heroics, the power delivery is exactly right: smooth, linear, and always available without drama. The 4-speed automatic transmission shifts cleanly and was a notable improvement over the 3-speed unit found in pre-1981 R107s.
The Cream exterior is one of the more elegant color options offered on the R107, and it pairs beautifully with the Palomino leather interior. The body-color removable hardtop transforms the car into a proper coupe for winter driving, while the brown soft top provides a secondary weather option when you want the open-air experience but need to be prepared for changing conditions. Inside, the Palomino leather cabin is classic Mercedes-Benz from an era when the brand’s interior quality was essentially unmatched. The dashboard layout is functional and elegant, with clear VDO instrumentation, real wood trim, climate control, cruise control, and the original Becker Grand Prix AM/FM cassette radio, a unit that was standard equipment and remains one of the most recognizable head units of the 1980s.
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL quick take
The R107 Mercedes-Benz SL is one of the great success stories in automotive history. Produced from 1971 to 1989, it enjoyed an 18-year production run that saw over 300,000 units built, with more than 200,000 of those finding homes in North America. This particular car, in Cream over Palomino, is a California example with both tops, the original Becker radio, and the kind of mileage that suggests it was used regularly but not abused. At $26,499, it’s priced attractively within the 560SL market, making it an excellent entry point for someone considering their first classic car.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.
About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog