Increase resale value with adding retrofits/mods?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
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Mercedes
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2000 MB E320
I thought that it was an awesome deal when I bought this, and that it would make for a solid and kind-of sporty DD over the winter. But I was a bit "blinded by the bling" when I first looked at it. I didn't realize that MB is/was partnered with Chrysler at the time, but after having this car for a while I can see it in certain areas of the car. It drives me nuts how cheap all the buttons and switches feel
. And what is with the switch row above the head unit with sooo many blank spaces? I hate how this car is the "Sport" version, but feels like a base model on the inside. Don't get me wrong, I am quite fond of the handling during spirited driving. And everyone I know has told me this is the best looking car I've ever had. But in my E39, It feels different driving it or even just sitting in it. It doesn't feel cheap or like it's missing alot of features, it feels like a proper German sport sedan. Even the '01 Audi A4 turbo I had before my bimmer felt like a reasonable German sedan (when the check engine light wasn't on of course). Could just be me going from apples to poor quality artificially ripened oranges, I guess. But my MB just isn't cutting it. It's wonderful to look at and handles pretty well, but that's it. Sorry for the rant, but ho-hum is a good way to put it, tommy.
. And what is with the switch row above the head unit with sooo many blank spaces? I hate how this car is the "Sport" version, but feels like a base model on the inside. Don't get me wrong, I am quite fond of the handling during spirited driving. And everyone I know has told me this is the best looking car I've ever had. But in my E39, It feels different driving it or even just sitting in it. It doesn't feel cheap or like it's missing alot of features, it feels like a proper German sport sedan. Even the '01 Audi A4 turbo I had before my bimmer felt like a reasonable German sedan (when the check engine light wasn't on of course). Could just be me going from apples to poor quality artificially ripened oranges, I guess. But my MB just isn't cutting it. It's wonderful to look at and handles pretty well, but that's it. Sorry for the rant, but ho-hum is a good way to put it, tommy.
Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 84
Likes: 8
2013 benz c250
I dont mind losing a bit of my short term investment, if the cash out price in the end is right. For example:
I use to have a 1994 Honda Civic Si coupe a few years ago. I originally bought it for $3,300 and it was in immaculate shape inside and out. Only had 170,000 km on it and was fully loaded with a 5 speed manual transmission, it was a great base to build off of. Over the next year that I owned it, I threw about $8,000 into it. $3,500 into the suspension and wheels, then another $4,500 into the engine, drive line, and a turbo kit pushing 8 psi. I sold the car a few months later for $9,000. Now, I bought the car for $3,300 and put $8,000 into it; then I sold it for $9,000. I lost about $2,300 in the whole deal, since my total investment was $11,300. But I now had $9,000 in my pocket from the sale of that car.
I started out with $3300 before I bought the car, and ended up with $9000 after I sold it. I'm trying to do the same idea here. I started out with $6,000, but I need to end up with $10,000 or more after selling it.
I know adding wheels and the BT phone functionality will increase the resale value, but I don't know by how much. I'm looking for advice from someone who has modded and sold one of these before.
I use to have a 1994 Honda Civic Si coupe a few years ago. I originally bought it for $3,300 and it was in immaculate shape inside and out. Only had 170,000 km on it and was fully loaded with a 5 speed manual transmission, it was a great base to build off of. Over the next year that I owned it, I threw about $8,000 into it. $3,500 into the suspension and wheels, then another $4,500 into the engine, drive line, and a turbo kit pushing 8 psi. I sold the car a few months later for $9,000. Now, I bought the car for $3,300 and put $8,000 into it; then I sold it for $9,000. I lost about $2,300 in the whole deal, since my total investment was $11,300. But I now had $9,000 in my pocket from the sale of that car.
I started out with $3300 before I bought the car, and ended up with $9000 after I sold it. I'm trying to do the same idea here. I started out with $6,000, but I need to end up with $10,000 or more after selling it.
I know adding wheels and the BT phone functionality will increase the resale value, but I don't know by how much. I'm looking for advice from someone who has modded and sold one of these before.
I would say add features such as keyless go, distronics, parktronics, lane assist, collision avoidance assist or even heated/cooled front bucket seats... having features like these will increase the value. Or perhaps try adding NAV, if it doesn't have it and Video In Motion function as well?
Many of these add-ons of course could prove costly, but also having these features increases the value as well.
Just some ideas is all.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2009 c63 amg
2009 c63 amg front bumper vents
what is the purpose of the vents on the sides of the front bumper. Only the right side vents are actually open, the left one on my vehicle are closed. also only the right front splash shield has vents , the left front splash shield does not have vents. Only the vents on the right side of the vehicle actually has a purpose, which is very odd. Here is a link and picture to both the front splash shields on ebay, as you can see, only the right one has vents. Any ideas? I thought someone has changed and put the wrong ones on my car but after looking up the new ones for my c63, it seems that only the right side has vents, any explanations?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Splash-Shield-For-2008-2015-Mercedes-Benz-C63-AMG-Front-LH-RH-Front-Section-/231999715947?hash=item360442ba6b:g:LGYAAOSwHmNZxGI G&vxp=mtr ]http://http://www.ebay.com/itm/Splash-Shiel...NZxGIG&vxp=mtr [/url]
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 37
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
2013 C350 Coupe, 2005 C230K Kleemann Sedan, 2013 GLK350 4matic
I believe the owner's manual states not to tow the car with transmission in neutral with rear wheels, only to flat bed it
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 37
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
2013 C350 Coupe, 2005 C230K Kleemann Sedan, 2013 GLK350 4matic
what is the purpose of the vents on the sides of the front bumper. Only the right side vents are actually open, the left one on my vehicle are closed. also only the right front splash shield has vents , the left front splash shield does not have vents. Only the vents on the right side of the vehicle actually has a purpose, which is very odd. Here is a link and picture to both the front splash shields on ebay, as you can see, only the right one has vents. Any ideas? I thought someone has changed and put the wrong ones on my car but after looking up the new ones for my c63, it seems that only the right side has vents, any explanations?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Splash-Shield-For-2008-2015-Mercedes-Benz-C63-AMG-Front-LH-RH-Front-Section-/231999715947?hash=item360442ba6b:g:LGYAAOSwHmNZxGI G&vxp=mtr ]http://http://www.ebay.com/itm/Splash-Shiel...NZxGIG&vxp=mtr
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
W210 E Class 300TD
If it is a really good example with absolutely ZERO rust, it has professionally polished paint and a full service history then advertise it in a prestige car magazine with loads of photographs. Be confident, justify the price and any form of inspection, and you might get an enthusiast who might take it... Change it from stock and you'll get some cow-boy-racer who'll try and beat you down on price reagrdless. As a perfect example of manufacturer’s specification, then you've got the best chance of getting the best price.
If its down on power, its got racing herritage. It's either the mass arilflow meter or you don't know about the kickdown button below where you think your foot is flat!
If it's a automatic gearbox, then when you've got your foot flat, push down further and there's a kickdown button below that. Be careful. Do it in a safe place on a clear road because the car will leap into action and all the dials go imediatelly to the right... Then let's see if the BMW is still a good option?
Chris
If its down on power, its got racing herritage. It's either the mass arilflow meter or you don't know about the kickdown button below where you think your foot is flat!
If it's a automatic gearbox, then when you've got your foot flat, push down further and there's a kickdown button below that. Be careful. Do it in a safe place on a clear road because the car will leap into action and all the dials go imediatelly to the right... Then let's see if the BMW is still a good option?
Chris
Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 152
Likes: 23
2011 C300 Sport 4matic, 2005 C240 4matic, 2003 C230K Sport, 1999 C230K Sport, 1969 220D (first car!)
Worth much less
Sorry, it’d be worth much less to me. When I’m shopping used MBs I always look for bone stock. To be honest, I don’t even like to see non-OEM wheels or lights. The more it’s been messed with, the less it’s worth to me.
I’d focus on making sure it runs really well and looks good. Clean it up, make sure everything works and it will sell for a good price.
My DD is a 2011 C300 but I just bought a 2005 C240 4matic for my daughter replacing a 1999 C230 that died a violent death.
I’d focus on making sure it runs really well and looks good. Clean it up, make sure everything works and it will sell for a good price.
My DD is a 2011 C300 but I just bought a 2005 C240 4matic for my daughter replacing a 1999 C230 that died a violent death.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,904
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S350 BT 4MATIC
I retrofitted factory navigation into a 2004 c230 and a 2008 C300, both times I ended making a profit on trade -in, especially the C300. My cost was ~$1800 on the parts, and I got about $3700 in profit. I know its rare but it worked for me. I also am getting good quotes on my current car because I retrofitted a fridge into the car
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Ford Edsel
Perhaps he wasn't as dim as we imagined. Its possible he has access to used parts at good prices so when he said he put in $1000 it may have been a fraction of that. The parts may have been stolen or maybe he knows people or maybe he works at a place where he gets them cheap. Or maybe he just loves the modding process. Or maybe he thinks the car is unsellable unless its flashier. Unfortunately he doesn't seem to realize that a MB like that is never flashy. Its sedate and subdued. A first Mercedes for many. Hopefully he took the advice of many here and extracted the maximum out of it and is enjoying the BMW.
