About the Mercedes Benz 560SL

Mercedes Benz has a very long history of manufacturing some of the world's best cars that stretches back to the late 1800s. And many of the cars they have made have been critically acclaimed sports cars, many of them convertibles. One of the most recognizable and popular ranges that the company has made is the 107 SL range, a series of sporty coupes and convertibles made from 1971 to 1989. One of the most popular examples in this line, at least to North American enthusiasts, was the 560SL, made for three years from 1986 to 1989.

Engine

The engine that powered the 560SL, and the basis for its name, was an overhead camshaft 5.6-liter V8 that produced 238 horsepower and 287 foot-pounds of torque in detuned U.S. guise. The engine utilized Bosch fuel injection. During that period, the Ferrari 328 put out 270 horsepower, and the mighty Porsche 911 Turbo pumped out 300 horsepower. Had the Mercedes' motor not been saddled with U.S. spec smog equipment, it would have been far more powerful.
The 5.6-liter was a stroked version of the company's overhead-cam 5.0-liter V8, which had been used in the 500SL that was not sold in the United States.

Chassis/Suspension

The 560SL was a rear-wheel-drive, two-door convertible based on the 107 range of cars that was first introduced in 1970 as the 350SL. The front suspension consisted of double wishbones, coil springs and an anti-roll bar. At the rear was a diagonal swing axle, coil springs and an anti-roll bar. The 560SL also came with revised steering geometry and a limited slip differential.

Performance

The 560SL did zero-to-60 mph in less then eight seconds, and topped out at 136 mph.

Buying

According to the Kelly Blue Book website, a used 560SL should be no more than $10,550, though the very best examples can command even twice that amount. Mercedes Benz owners tend to keep very good care of their cars, so finding a well-kept 560SL is not that difficult. As with any classic car purchase, a pre-purchase inspection is recommended.

Fun Fact

All 107 SL models were made at the company's Sindelfingen, Germany plant. With a production run of 18 years, the 107 line was made for longer than any other Mercedes line.