Elegance. Sophistication. Performance. Affordable? The Mercedes-Benz SL has always represented the finest motoring experience in the world, and in typical Mercedes fashion, they were not only wonderfully built but impeccably dressed with an athlete’s chassis underneath. The R107 series of SLs, aside from perhaps the legendary “Gullwing” are quite possibly the most widely recognized status symbol on four wheels. Owned by movie stars, captains of industry, and other well-to-do people of note, these lovely roadsters came to represent wealth without being ostentatious about it. If you wanted to convey quiet competence and exquisite taste, the SL was your vehicle of choice.

Remarkably, that remains true today, but given the affordable prices on many of the R107 SLs, you no longer need a seven-figure bank balance to put one in your garage. This 1988 560SL represents the pinnacle of R107 development and if you seek one of these cars, it’s exactly what you should be buying. There are cheaper SLs available, but if you do a little research you’ll quickly discover that there are definitely good SLs and bad SLs and that a cheap SL is perhaps the most expensive car you can own if service has been neglected. In contrast, this end-of-the-line 1988 560SL shows just 47,956 original miles and has spent all its life in a warm climate, so rust is a non-issue. That’s factory-applied Diamond Blue paint that is just the right icy shade to accentuate the long, low lines of the SL roadster and it remains in excellent condition overall. There are so few nits to pick that I feel obligated to mention them, with the only two issues of note being a slight discoloration on the driver’s door and a little chip on the passenger’s door. Otherwise, this car is virtually unmarked and in first-rate condition throughout.

You’ll note that this car wears European-spec headlights which not only work better but give the SL a much more sporting look that it was designed to wear from the start. The heavy chrome and rubber bumpers were a US-federalization thing, but these cars are so well-known that they hardly look out of place today and the familiar shape still looks like a million bucks. The chrome is excellent, the emblems are bright and crisp, and even the plastic grille is virtually unmarked. This car has led a very easy life.

Among the many upgrades the 560s received was standard leather upholstery in place of the previous MB-Tex vinyl. While the MB-Tex wears like iron, if you’re spending $65,000 1988 dollars on a new luxury car, leather really should be standard equipment. As a result, the dark blue hides in this 560 remain in excellent condition with only the most minor signs of use on the driver’s lower seat cushion, wear that many would call “comfort marks.” There are no splits, tears, or worn spots on the seats and the carpets are in excellent condition thanks to a set of plush factory floor mats which have been doubly protected by a second set of accessory floor mats that were installed days after it came home from the dealer. An airbag steering wheel was also a new arrival in the 560, eliminating the need for other passive restraints (remember those early motorized seat belts?) and giving it a much more finished look. The gauges should look familiar to anyone who has driven a Mercedes-Benz in the 1970s and ‘80s, and everything is fully functional. Climate control, cruise control, power windows, mirrors, and locks, and all the other accessories are operational, with the A/C being converted to R134a so it’ll be easy to service in the future. An original Becker Grand Prix AM/FM/cassette stereo remains in the center of the dash and still sounds good, and that is, indeed, real walnut on the center console and dashboard. The trunk is outfitted with more plush blue carpets with a few stains here and there, and it does include a full tool kit and the original spare tire that has only been used once. And as an SL, it includes both the blue canvas convertible top and a removable hard top with stand.

The biggest upgrades to the 560 were under the skin, and the name tells you all you need to know. The 3.8 liter engine of the 380SL was gone, replaced by a 5.6 liter SOHC V8 torque factory. Making 226 horsepower and more than 300 pounds of torque, it transforms the SL from a competent cruiser to a Teutonic muscle car that still feels fast today. Of course, it’s also well-mannered with a bubbly idle that sounds fantastic without being annoying and the last three decades have proven that this engine, if properly maintained, is virtually indestructible. As you’d expect from a car of this quality, it has been maintained by the book and drives like a new car. It’s extremely clean under the hood, more evidence that it has never seen foul weather (it started raining during our photo shoot which is probably the first time this car has seen rain in a decade). Aside from routine service items, it is completely factory correct, right down to the hose clamps.

The 560 also benefits from a 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission, which gives it incredibly long legs on the highway and there are few better high-speed touring cars than this. The fully independent suspension is supple but competent, never jarring but with higher limits than you’d expect. ABS brakes were standard, too, so they’re there to bail you out if you do something foolish, but given the car’s abilities and demeanor, that’s pretty unlikely. The undercarriage is undercoated and in good order, although not detailed for show, and the exhaust system has an expensive-sounding purr to it that is wonderful to hear on the road with the top down. Correct alloy wheels are completely unmarked and not even stained by brake dust and carry right-sized 205/65/15 Michelin radials.

You have undoubtedly looked at all the other SLs out there and seen them for $16,000. Go ahead and buy one of those low-cost SLs if you want, but be prepared for the staggering cost of repairs and maintenance. Or you could buy what is arguably the finest SL we’ve ever seen and the most desirable of the R107 models with the most horsepower and longest list of features. It’s one of those rare cases where the expensive one turns out to be the smarter investment. Call today!