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Unfortunately, due to life "happening", I'm forced to think about selling my 1998 C43 AMG painted in color code 189u (Smaragdschwarz / emerald black / black opal). The issue is that the car has an odometer discrepancy. Currently the odometer reads 125k (i purchased it with 122k), but there is a service record in the carfax where the mileage was recorded at ~130k. I've spent thousands on both mechanical and cosmetic repairs/maintenance over the past two years and the car is in near immaculate shape at this point. I've had several mechanics thoroughly inspect it and none seem to think it has notably higher mileage than what is listed, but still the odometer discrepancy tells a different story.
With that in mind, I'm trying to get an idea of what this car is actually worth, as its considered a "TMU" - true mileage unknown - vehicle. Do you guys think the rare color and quality service history is enough to make buyers interested, or will the TMU leave me unable to get any value out of the car?
Let me know your thoughts. I'll throw up some pictures when i have a chance as well. Thanks in advance to everyone!
You could hook up and read the mileage through STAR and buy a new 0-miles odometer and re-code it with the real mileage, who can tell if this car was clocked?
New clusters are steep.
Or find a used cluster with similar miles to the original mileage?
You could hook up and read the mileage through STAR and buy a new 0-miles odometer and re-code it with the real mileage, who can tell if this car was clocked?
New clusters are steep.
Or find a used cluster with similar miles to the original mileage?
Can you even get a new monitor from a dealer?
If you can code a new one, why cant you code a used one?
If you can code a new one, why cant you code a used one?
Plus that wont change the record on carfax
all you have to do is buy a used one and tell a mechanic to swap the info. You wont find a new one, the clusters are plug and play. A shop will probably keep the miles from the replacement cluster, because the car is more than 10 years old.
Last edited by Killahbee; Sep 16, 2020 at 10:40 PM.
Whats the difference between the ~130k number and the next recorded number in the Carfax?
Is that one number the only one that is out of whack with the others?
If its not a huge difference, like less than 10k, mostly reasonable buyers would assume that it is just a sloppy/lazy/fat-fingered guy who keyed it in wrong that one time, not some shady rollback type deal.
That said, it will still take a little off the price.
As to price, well it seems like our cars are finally getting some real respect with regards to pricing out there. I've seen some selling prices this summer much stronger than last year or even earlier this year. Especially for C36's, but C43s are looking good too, especially if, as you say, records are complete and condition is strong. The color is a plus. Pics?
Yeah as @PJmak said, I don’t believe swapping the cluster really fixes the issue as the Carfax and autocheck will still show the issue. Plus I feel like that would potentially look like I was trying to be less than transparent about the issue.
The discrepancy came from a ~131k mileage recording at a MB dealer in ‘09, then when the car was registered with its next owner in ‘13 it was registered at ~110k. The title of the vehicle is not branded though, which leads me to believe there was somehow never a discrepancy when registering or titling the car at a BMV? Idk, it’s odd and I’m definitely a bit confused by it.
As for pictures...here are a few somewhat recent shots to give everyone an idea of color/condition
From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Looks a real beauty, but why oh why did the N. American versions have this SUV looking suspension set-up. It really kills the look IMO, but I'm being a bit biased as I live in Europe and never see them looking like that here
@DRBC43AMG agreed. Plus in my case the 18’ monoblocks really don’t help the appearance of the gap in the front (but at least the rear wheel-well is a bit more filled out!). Euro suspension conversion was was on my to-do list, but here we are talking about selling sadly
@DRBC43AMG agreed. Plus in my case the 18’ monoblocks really don’t help the appearance of the gap in the front (but at least the rear wheel-well is a bit more filled out!). Euro suspension conversion was was on my to-do list, but here we are talking about selling sadly
Appreciate the kind words tho!
Looks great, love the color! If you list it on Bring a Trailer, invest the time/effort in getting really good photos. Presentation brings the $ on that site.
PS Is it just the angle or are those exhaust tips hanging a bit low?
@Goldecho appreciate the advice. I'll have to get some professional photos done if i decide to go that route. But you're right they do look a bit odd/low in those shots. I think its just the angle though, at least i hope its just the angle, since i coincidentally just had the exhaust hangers replaced about a month ago!
So what're everyone's thoughts on the TMU detracting from value? If you were buying, would this make you offer 5% less? 10%? 20% (i hope not that much!!) Or would it cause you to steer away from the purchase completely?
@PJmak also, thanks for having your buddy reach out, nice guy, and a real c43 fanatic!
@Goldecho appreciate the advice. I'll have to get some professional photos done if i decide to go that route. But you're right they do look a bit odd/low in those shots. I think its just the angle though, at least i hope its just the angle, since i coincidentally just had the exhaust hangers replaced about a month ago!
So what're everyone's thoughts on the TMU detracting from value? If you were buying, would this make you offer 5% less? 10%? 20% (i hope not that much!!) Or would it cause you to steer away from the purchase completely?
@PJmak also, thanks for having your buddy reach out, nice guy, and a real c43 fanatic!
I would guess 10% but really it depends on the buyer.
Check out those hangers...correct part? Others can chime in but those tips should be more snug to the bumper IMO.
@DRBC43AMG@Goldecho hangers were done correctly. Just a weird angle on those photos. Tips are tight against the bumper. Good eye tho, thanks for the input!
@DRBC43AMG@Goldecho hangers were done correctly. Just a weird angle on those photos. Tips are tight against the bumper. Good eye tho, thanks for the input!
Of course you can get value out of it. As you know, I was ready to buy the car from you a few months ago but you disappeared. I can't be the only one that would want to buy it.
98 C43, 15 Alfa 4C LE, 18 Tesla Model 3 DM Perf, 08 Duc S1000, 02 Duc 998, 98 Duc 748, 01 Miata
I would dig into the odometer discrepancy a bit more. If the dealer just entered the mileage wrong during that one visit, you may just have to reach out to Carfax and try to get that adjusted. If there is a string of information indicating that the odometer is wrong, that might be a bigger issue. Very pretty color though.
@carterruss didn't disappear, just figured you would not be interested after i was unable to clear up the mileage discrepancy. If you're still interested though, then i'm happy to discuss. Ultimately planning to list after the first of the year
@ECTurboGSX appreciate the advice. Unfortunately i've already tried to work with the dealership to resolve the issue with carfax and the dealership was unwilling to lend any help...
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) Or would it cause you to steer away from the purchase completely? 
