Best Mercedes-Benz 280SL Year to Buy
There is no single best Mercedes-Benz 280SL year: the right one depends on your budget and what you want from the car. Across 859 verified sales, the 1984 is the most affordable at $13,285. The 1970 trades most often (223 verified sales). The 1971 has held its value best, now worth 15 times its original MSRP.
Data: DriveIndex. 8 model years with at least 10 verified sales each, latest sale Oct 26, 2026. Methodology
Ranked across the 8 years with at least 10 verified sales. Years with fewer are in the table below but too thin to rank.
Mercedes-Benz 280SL Value by Model Year
| Year | Value | Vs. original MSRP | Verified sales | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 280SL | $17,382 | 56% | 22 | 3 |
| 1984 280SL | $13,285 | 44% | 27 | 1 |
| 1983 280SL | $17,845 | 62% | 17 | 4 |
| 1982 280SL | $15,214 | 54% | 10 | 1 |
| 1981 280SL | $15,500 | 57% | 1 · too few to rank | 2 |
| 1980 280SL | $14,663No sale since Mar 2026 | 56% | 5 · too few to rank | 1 |
| 1978 280SL | $21,099No comparable sale since May 2025 | 88% | 5 · too few to rank | 1 |
| 1975 280SL | $16,750No sale since Apr 2025 | — | 1 · too few to rank | — |
| 1971 280SL | $116,450 | 15× | 210 | 14 |
| 1970 280SL | $72,818 | 10× | 223 | 17 |
| 1969 280SL | $78,113 | 11× | 223 | 10 |
| 1968 280SL | $94,298 | 13× | 114 | 10 |
| 1967 280SL | $51,520No sale since Jan 2026 | 6.9× | 1 · too few to rank | — |
Value is DriveIndex's market value for each year, from verified sales. “Vs. original MSRP” compares it with the sticker price when new, not adjusted for inflation: 100% means it is worth exactly what it cost. Years with fewer than 10 verified sales are listed but not ranked.
Which 280SL year is appreciating?
The table shows what each year is worth. Pro adds the direction: the live Value Signal for every year, how confident it is, a 1–5 year projection, and every sold price behind it. Collector adds the best months to buy and an estimated market-bottom date.
Or see the best months to buy with Collector ($39.99/month), or start with a free account.
Best Mercedes-Benz 280SL Year: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Mercedes-Benz 280SL year to buy?
There is no single best Mercedes-Benz 280SL year: the right one depends on your budget and what you want from the car. Across 859 verified sales, the 1984 is the most affordable at $13,285. The 1970 trades most often (223 verified sales). The 1971 has held its value best, now worth 15 times its original MSRP. The table on this page lists every model year with its market value, its value against its original MSRP and how many have sold.
Which Mercedes-Benz 280SL year is the cheapest?
The 1984 Mercedes-Benz 280SL is the most affordable year with enough verified sales to compare, currently valued at $13,285. The most valuable is the 1971, at $116,450.
Which Mercedes-Benz 280SL year holds its value best?
The 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL is now worth 15 times its original MSRP of $7,560, the best of the years with enough verified sales to compare. That compares today's value with the sticker price when new, not adjusted for inflation.
How much is a Mercedes-Benz 280SL worth?
Depending on the model year, a Mercedes-Benz 280SL is worth from $13,285 to $116,450 today, based on verified sales. Mileage, condition and options move any single car's price; each year's page shows its recent sales.
Which Mercedes-Benz 280SL year is appreciating?
This page shows what each year is worth and how that compares with its original price. Whether each year is appreciating, stable or depreciating is DriveIndex's Value Signal, which Pro members see for every year along with a 1–5 year projection.