MarkL

Hi guys and gals, haven't posted in a while. My C240 6-spd is a bit over 3 yrs. old and I'm starting to get that familiar wanderlust! I always planned on selling my C before the warranty was up, figuring it would be incentive for private buyers.

Was thinking of a new C320 -- really liked the updated interior. Then, several things made me unhappy about MB. First, the prices are really going up, and have you noticed, they're continuing to de-content the cars -- now the standard leather inserts are only on the front seats, the rears are completely MB-Tex -- how much can that possibly save them? They dropped the free 4-yr maintenance program, what gives? My service department, while the people are nice, continues to be incompetent in performing simple tasks. Then, when considering the sport sedan, in order to continue with manual trans, why do they only let you get black or gray interior when I want stone? When I got my '02 C240 6-spd, you could opt for any color inside.

Anyway, I've loved my C, but I've decided to give BMW a shot -- figure I may as well own at least one in my lifetime. Hey, if I don't like it, I'll go back to MB in 3-4 years. My new '05 330i 6psd is on the way -- should arrive in 3-4 weeks.

Oh, and trying to sell the C240? 1 response after 2 weeks of advertising in Washington Post and Autotrader. What gives? Worst response for any car I've ever sold -- hard to believe. I'm planning to sell to Carmax this Friday -- not too bad a deal.

Anyway, I'll keep lurking around and check on topics I might have a word in. Good luck with all your MB's!

Guest0001

Have fun with the bimmer. I might also try BMW when the E90 comes out. I really like the design.

Dont leave us though. Update us from time to time

DiamondNoir2K5

If the new E90 looks (in person) anything like the current 5-series looks, it will be, IMHO, fat and droopy looking, and no where near as athletic-looking as the E46.

rockintunes23

How much did you pay for your benz when you bought it and how much is car fax giving you? I found that the kelly blue book value of my late 01 c240 really sucked. I paid 42k and its only worth 14-17k. The most I lost on a car yet.

amdeutsch

You better be able to back up that one. When I bought my MY03 C320 there was no way to load up a C240 to those kind of figures without a bunch of accessories and/or aftermarket mods.

BTW
Taxes and the rest of that don't count.

Oneslip

Enjoy the Beam! I really enjoyed mine but it's hard to buy the same kind of car already owned that's why I bought a Benz. Mercedes/BMW you can't really go wrong. Enjoy!

Guest0001

Thats 42k out the door right? What options do you have?

LorinserCClass

Its possible, back in the day I paid 37K w/out Comand, sport and heated seats.

MarkL

Well, in August of 2001, when I bought the first of the 2002's they weren't bargaining much, so I actually paid sticker!!! Anyway, it was around $35400 before tax I believe -- C240, 6spd, C2, C4, CD changer, Xenons, metallic Capri blue. KBB is $19425 for "excellent" condition (only 5% make that, according to them, $18350 for "good"). My car is showroom clean, inside and out, so Carmax agreed to the excellent condition. They beat KBB by $1000 and have offered $20,400 because I really know they want this car. Today I went to my dealer to try and get a little more and they refused -- I think they're crazy. I know they could sell it easier and for a higher price than Carmax.

Oh, the '05 330i is the "old" style. I have seen pictures of the new E90 and I have mixed feelings, especially the rear and the interior -- very strange if you haven't seen inside shots yet. Also, 1st year bugs, etc... and I think the current model will still be desirable for a few years -- I only plan to keep it 3-4 yrs max. Anyway, I feel kind of sad giving up my MB, but I really want to keep to my plan I've always used -- sell around 4yrs and have a lot of "seed money" for the next one.

I'll keep you posted.

mick1

i think that's because most people who would want to buy a Mercedes would want to buy one with automatic transmission and your car got a manual transmission.

I understand your decision. I had a bmw 328i for 5 years. This year, I switched over to Mercedes not because the bmw was a bad car but because i wanted a different brand.

S_kLaSse

my 01 C320 was $46K before tax. Now if I can sell $25k, I am lucky enough.

Guest0001

My 03 C320 was 41,500 sticker. Without Xenons, Comand, or Sport pkg.

mick1

mine was $45,750

LaZyC230K

nice upgrade... i think u wont go wrong with mbz and bmw. they are both very nice brand. I really liked the new 330 too, if i get the money i will upgrade my c230 coupe to 330ci after 4 yrs. I just bought my car this yrs, lol....

FrankW

2005 is still the E46

good choice will your new car be a premium pkg, a sport, premium sport, or the zhp?

alphaforcex

I'll wait another year before buying the E90. But trust me on this one, the new design will grow on you after years (or less). I still remember people saying how good the E36 looks and the E46 is ****, etc, etc but now people say how good/sporty the E46 looks...

MarkL

Yep, E46 -- that's what I wanted. The new one (E90) will take some getting used to + first year bugs + no discount, etc. Mine will be metallic black with sand leather, premium package, cold weather pkg and xenons. The 330i already has sport-calibrated suspension so the sport package gives you more bolstered seats, high-performance tires and a sportier steering wheel. That's another $1200 and I was happy without it. The standard wheels are really nice, very chunky 5-spoke. It's waiting at the port to hop on a ship from Germany -- can't wait. I'm going to miss my C240, it's a great car, but I usually switch cars every 3-4 years so it's time for a change.

FrankW

the difference between suspension for sport and premium for the coupe is not that much different, but the difference between the sedan is a lot different. BUT you can always upgrade later on to aftermarket, so doesn't really matter if you are looking for mods. it's good that they made the 17' standard on the 330's other wise those 16s that were on the 328 were horrible.

mine was a 2000 328Ci sport/premium fully loaded except the nav and parktronic.

MB-BOB

Sorry to hear the news Mark. Hopefully you won't get totally seduced by the Dark Side, and you'll be back in 3-4 years.

If you're wondering what your E46 will be worth in 4 years, look up the KBB trade in values on a 2000 MB C230 sedan and compare that to the $20K you've been offered by CARMAX for your 2001... Rule of thumb: Never buy the first year of a new design (bugs), and never buy the last year (resale value).

Of course, you and I both violated that first rule and did OK...

MarkL

Thanks -- maybe I'll hop back to an E-Class after the 330i . Actually, mine's an early 2002 and if you look at resale, it's less than an '02 325i which cost less to begin with. And, the C230 was sub-par to the C240 IMO, due to 4 cylinder, etc. But who knows -- people might still be looking for E46's even 3 years from now. I remember I bought an '85 RX-7, the last year of the "real" rotary car and I did OK. Anyway, I haven't posted as much as I used to, with the original band of members, you, Tommy and others. I'll keep checking back and see what's going on with you guys.