AMGPower88

Hey guys, so I've decided to visit a local bmw dealership this weekend to check out a M3 that they got for sale. Im strongly considering trading my car in to the dealership towards the new M3. I have a couple questions: First off, I just KBB'ed my car so Ive got an idea of what trade-in value would be, do the dealerships go by KBB or are they going to low-ball me on the offer? I know they will take into consideration the overall condition of the car inside and out but just wanted to get an idea from you guys about that.

Secondly, Ive currently got a Eurocharged V5 tune on the car, if I do trade the car in, should I just leave the tune on and have them deal with it or have it flashed back to stock ? Im afraid they'll ask me if I have any ECU upgrades on the car or not, just want to be prepared. Should I give them the handheld programmer as well or keep it? Any help would be much appreciated, thank you guys.

BLKROKT

Just flash it back to stock. A tune has zero value to the dealer, and having it on can only hurt the value.

AMG3.2

Flash back to stock. Also give me a deal on the carbon wheel. BMW won't like it anyways

Goodluck! You thinking f80 M3 or what?

computertom

A few comments:

Clean the car inside and out. No dust. Clean floors. Sparkly windows. They're still probably going to auction it, but make it look good.

In my experience they go buy black book, not KBB. Blackbook is a subscription service that tells them a range for what the cars are actually going for in their area. When I was trading in my 2009 a few weeks ago, knowing this info was key.

Definitely flash it back. Don't give some poor sap who gets it later a heart attack when they have trouble passing inspection. If you were really nice, you could hide the programmer with a note under the spare tire or in the first aid kit area. Maybe the new owner will find it ...

When I was trying to sell mine private party, I was honestly hoping for $25K. I thought that was reasonable for a my car. I got no real bites. I was kinda floored. In the end, I took $22K on trade. This saved me $1300 on tax on the new car, so we're at $23,300. Then I cancelled the extended warranty which was also $1300 back to me (you'll need a mileage statement from the dealership you trade at to do this if you have a 3rd party warranty and need to cancel it). So I essentially got where I wanted to be and we got a sweet 2017 Chrysler Pacifica for my wife. Incidentally all the guys at the dealership were coming out to look at my car as they couldn't believe someone had traded in an AMG on a minivan. First time for everything ...

The dealership is going to make money somewhere (and they should as selling cars / running a dealership is not a cheap enterprise), but you want to minimize what they get from you.

Go in with the most knowledge and a number you'll be happy with. Try and negotiate your new car price first (without financing on the table) and then see what they can do on the trade.

INS1GNIA

Also since you are trading from a Mercedes to BMW, they might cut you a better deal or try harder to sell you the car. Just out of curiosity, whats making you consider an M3? No FL C63 or even the bi turbo ones?

betrezra

If i was buying my next car it would be m3/4 over the new w205. I had a w205 c63s and it was problematic. Once bitten.

Im also 'm3 curious'. The way my office mates talk the m will make you more successful, better looking, and faster in any arena . Whats not to like.

INS1GNIA

Lol, sounds like a typical BMW owner.

nobbyv

I drove the F80 M3 last year when I was looking to replace my S6. I came away...unimpressed. Granted, it was a short test drive, but I was underwhelmed by it. It seemed much bigger/heavier than it should have. And the interior was poor.

pjdizzle94

when i bought my c63 in 2014 i had made the decision after my ordered f80 m3 came in. luckily we agreed on a refundable deposit. the w204 is a hell of a car

Amg63-

How does the f80 m3 feel compared to a FL c63?

Is it more tame and refined? I thought the turbo power delivery would pin you back harder than NA power delivery of the c63

rentzington

OUCH! how many miles did you have?
the value on these PFL cars is tanking

pjdizzle94

The f80 m3 is an impressive car to drive don't get me wrong. But after coming from a 335i I really needed something that roared.

The m3 picks up pretty well considering it's lighter and obviously with the turbo you get the power quicker. But the sound that car makes is bleh and was huge for me when I was choosing cars.

As far as wanting something that'll pin you back, the w205 with a downpipe and tune would do the trick. Now that's an impressive car in my opinion (my cousin has one so it's easy to compare for me)

NA engines are fun to drive but sometimes I miss that boost (reason why im selling and picking up a 2015 z06)

AMGPower88

Thanks for the comments guys... Im looking at a 2013 E92 M3, I want to stay in the last NA V8 category for the M3, not really feeling the new turbo 6-cylinder M3s. Just like to change it up, had this car for close to 3 years and wanted to get something a little more fun to drive.

I dont really mind that my C63 would be faster, test drove a E92 m3 the other day and it handles really well plus its manual lol. At this point , Im still on the fence if I want to trade the car in since I'll be taking a huge hit. I might just have to wait it out and see if I can get someone private party to buy the car

tphss

The dealers will almost always "win" in the trade-in. If they give you a higher value for you car (based on cosmetic condition, mechanical, miles, popularity&market for the car etc) then they won't budge on their asking price for the car you want to buy from them. If they give you a lower price, maybe they will.

In any case, flash back to stock. They won't want it, like it, or need it.

Just thought you'll find interesting, my father has a 2013 e92 M3 (DCT), and I got to drive it quite a lot and compare. It's a completely different car than our W204 C63. I love the monster engine in our C63. But the M3 (e9X and F) handles better in both commuting and aggressive driving, and is more comfortable. But I love the C63 character.

I also drove a brand new M4 for about a month, and I prefer the e9X V8 platform (even though it's much weaker than the new turbo engine).

604 C63

I second this emotion.

SaphGreyC63

Tune is worthless to dealer. Obviously the cleaner you take it to them the more they are gonna value it.

As other have said, higher trade in, less budge on the car youre buying. Lower trade in, more budge on price. In other words, 6 one way, half a dozen the other (different words, same end result).

Expect 27-30K for a trade-in on an 08

If you have mods, part them out.

AMGPower88

Talked to the sales manager on the phone today, have to take the car in to the dealership for a proper estimate of a trade-in value, anything over the phone is pointless. As some of you have said, it will be difficult to get both a good trade-in value and a bargain on the car I want, cant have the best of both worlds I guess.

The M3 is a CPO car so thats a bonus but now that I think about it, sales tax from the dealership is going to be killer, I think almost $5K with the dealer fees, license/registration included. They're having some kind of promotion going on for the entire month of July so maybe I can score some kind of additional discount on the car, I dont know, just have to go in and get a better idea of where everything stands.

realjones88

That's kinda true, but mostly BS to get you on the lot so they can sell you the M3. A 2008 C63 at a BMW dealership is likely heading right to the auction block anyway.

If you want a realistic trade in value with no sales pressure take it to Carmax. The BMW dealer is not going to be far off. Not every state gives a sales tax credit on trade ins so definitely see if that is applicable.

604 C63

A 2008 C63 at a MERCEDES dealership is going straight to the auction block. My 09 did and it only had the equivalent of just over 50,000 miles.

tphss

Why do they go straight to auction?

computertom

Before you buy the M3, I'd recommend driving a few 911's. The e92 M3 is a great car, but the 911 is what it wants to be.

27k for an 08 on trade is pure crazy talk. Just can't see that ever happening anywhere in the US.

Do let us know what you work out.

604 C63

Too old for the dealer around here to want to sell them. The oldest I see on their lot ever is a 2011. They won't go more than 5 model years.

computertom

My '09 had 78k miles. Great car. Loved it. It'll be a gem for the next person and hopefully ignite a love for AMG in them like it did in me.

BEETS

I sold my 2011 E92 M3 and got a 2012 C63. They're both great cars and serve slightly different purposes. The only thing I didn't like about my M was you pretty much have to rev the snot out of it to get to the fun zone, but then you look like a douche lol.

Either way, talk to EC and see about selling the handheld and tune to another member. Worked for me.

ab0bab0i

Wider rear fenders on the M3 sedan alone are worth it compared to the fenders on the w205 C63 sedan.