Value of 6MT on C230
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 49
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From: Anaheim Hills, CA
C230 Sedan, W212 E550
Value of 6MT on C230
Hi all,
I've always been a lurker, infrequent poster. I have a question on what you guys think a 6MT does to the value of a 2004.5 C230. Car has bi-Xenon, power seats and about 155,000 miles.
Getting ready to sell it and was wondering if the manual adds or subtracts to the value of the car? I know it is relatively rare, but the car is so old, not sure if that means anything anymore.
I see similar automatic cars with similar miles going for $4-$6k in auto trader. Seems really high to me, but I would not complain if that's what I could actually get.
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Jason
I've always been a lurker, infrequent poster. I have a question on what you guys think a 6MT does to the value of a 2004.5 C230. Car has bi-Xenon, power seats and about 155,000 miles.
Getting ready to sell it and was wondering if the manual adds or subtracts to the value of the car? I know it is relatively rare, but the car is so old, not sure if that means anything anymore.
I see similar automatic cars with similar miles going for $4-$6k in auto trader. Seems really high to me, but I would not complain if that's what I could actually get.
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Jason
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,003
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From: Richmond, VA Metro Area
2005 C230 Sport Sedan-6 Speed Manual
I am planning to look at a 2005 6MT with 112,000 on it this weekend, so I would be interested in responses. I have looked at the pricing services and all of them suggest that $4-6k is high. The manual transmission is a deduction in the pricing algorithm. Most people cannot drive sticks anymore so most will may not even consider one. But for the right buyer it might be a plus. The car I'm considering does not have bi-Xenons. I would like to add them in the future. Since used OEM xenons appear to be $800-1000, and require a software update in the car it seems they would increase the price for the right buyer. So for your car the Xenons may balance the "negative" of the manual transmission.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 148
From: Richmond, VA Metro Area
2005 C230 Sport Sedan-6 Speed Manual
I went to see the car I mentioned in the previous on Saturday. I offered the seller $4000 and we settled on $4300. I will post some pictures in about 10 days after I've had a chance to finish cleaning it up.
I think I over paid by a few hundred dollars based on what the pricing services estimated given that there are going to be some repairs:
1. Rear sunshade is stuck in the up position
2. Driver's seat has a split.
3. Steering wheel is rough
4. One of the engine covers is missing and the large one that is there has a hole in it
5. Rear tires will need replacement in 5000 miles
6. There is a fairly noticeable scrape on the left front bumper
7. Only one key
On the plus side:
The interior cleaned up nicely
The mileage is low for its age
The paint is nice except for the scrape
I think it may have been garage kept for most of its life
No rust, leaks or funny noises
Clean VIN check and no sign of an accident
Had the owner's manual in the case along with the window sticker
I'm not sure how accurate KBB, Edmunds and NADA are for such a low volume vehicle. The statistic I've heard that less than 10% of C230's are MT's, the data points must be few and far between. The only right answer to the question "What's my car worth?" is "Whatever someone will pay you for it."
The window sticker on this car was just a hair under $33,000. So another way to look at it is that the first few owners took a $28,000 depreciation charge to drive the car less than 112,000 miles. That works out to about $4 per mile. At that rate, all I need to do is drive the car about 1100 miles to obtain a similar return on investment. I would like to keep the car at least 5 years and 100,000 miles.
I think I over paid by a few hundred dollars based on what the pricing services estimated given that there are going to be some repairs:
1. Rear sunshade is stuck in the up position
2. Driver's seat has a split.
3. Steering wheel is rough
4. One of the engine covers is missing and the large one that is there has a hole in it
5. Rear tires will need replacement in 5000 miles
6. There is a fairly noticeable scrape on the left front bumper
7. Only one key
On the plus side:
The interior cleaned up nicely
The mileage is low for its age
The paint is nice except for the scrape
I think it may have been garage kept for most of its life
No rust, leaks or funny noises
Clean VIN check and no sign of an accident
Had the owner's manual in the case along with the window sticker
I'm not sure how accurate KBB, Edmunds and NADA are for such a low volume vehicle. The statistic I've heard that less than 10% of C230's are MT's, the data points must be few and far between. The only right answer to the question "What's my car worth?" is "Whatever someone will pay you for it."
The window sticker on this car was just a hair under $33,000. So another way to look at it is that the first few owners took a $28,000 depreciation charge to drive the car less than 112,000 miles. That works out to about $4 per mile. At that rate, all I need to do is drive the car about 1100 miles to obtain a similar return on investment. I would like to keep the car at least 5 years and 100,000 miles.
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C320
W203s are cheaper than civics and corollas of the same age and mileage, despite costing 2-3x as much when new. Thats mostly down to the cost of maintenance (or perceived cost). If you can DIY its a bargain, if you can't its a money pit.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 148
From: Richmond, VA Metro Area
2005 C230 Sport Sedan-6 Speed Manual
I can do some of my own work, but I have my limitations. I have a 2000 Porsche Boxster so I am familiar with the challenges of older German cars. I am planning to build a web of DIY and parts resources similar to the one I have for the Boxster. Please wish me luck.
It's interesting that you compared the C230 to a Honda. I bought a used 2006 Ciivic EX for my daughter in 2011. It has a 1.8 liter motor and 5 speed manual so it is functionally similar to the C230. The sticker price on the Civic was around $23,000 so the C230 cost about 50 percent more originally. Similar Civics were being advertised for $5000-6000 with significantly more miles on the clock than the C230.
So, the depreciation curve on the Mercedes is pretty steep.
The Honda is a great car, and it would have been much more practical to just find a nice used Honda than take a risk with the C230. But I just wanted to indulge myself this time.
It's interesting that you compared the C230 to a Honda. I bought a used 2006 Ciivic EX for my daughter in 2011. It has a 1.8 liter motor and 5 speed manual so it is functionally similar to the C230. The sticker price on the Civic was around $23,000 so the C230 cost about 50 percent more originally. Similar Civics were being advertised for $5000-6000 with significantly more miles on the clock than the C230.
So, the depreciation curve on the Mercedes is pretty steep.
The Honda is a great car, and it would have been much more practical to just find a nice used Honda than take a risk with the C230. But I just wanted to indulge myself this time.
