I get sooo depressed every time I see what these cars are worth in decent shape. Anyone else feel the same? I've had rusty Porsches worth more.
Soon we'll just have pretty paperweight with a phenomenal engine.....Sorry to rant, just depressing...

 

it is true defining its a AMG helps a little but compared to a porsche they keep a high value and end up worth keeping up with repairs. With the high cost of repairs for porsche and an AMG not so far off its hard to justify sometimes.

 

There was a time when the '73 911S was as common as flies. They depreciated down to giveaway rates and then started coming up. The last one I saw sold had a color change and the original leather seats had been replaced with leatherette; $60K. They originally sold for $10.3k

$60K will buy a newer 911, one that's faster, with better brakes, and a lot less hassle to keep running (modern cars are self tuning compared to MFI), but it won't be a 73S. Hopefully the 55 does the same.

 

It's sadly true. For some reason, the value of AMG benzs drop like a brick. A friend of mine bought a brand new SL55 years ago, he realized only 6 monthes later the car had took a 22K fall in value with only 8k miles put on it!

I dont get it. AMG benz's are pretty damn rare, and they are usually some of the best cars in the MB lineup, yet the base model C300s, ML350s, and E350s you see driving around EVERYWHERE have rock solid resale values. Makes no sense to me.

 

Could it be because there just aren't as many buyers for AMG vehicles than there are the stock standard ones? I know many of my friends have this misconception that AMG cars are just too costly to maintain, drinks too much, attracts too much attention, high insurance premium and used usually equates to abused. They are wrong, of course

 

From my experience, in the past, the general public puts amg above the m series...probably due to its rarity and "old" brand image, it created a misconception where only elites could afford one ..I think with the affordable c63 amg, it brought the halo amg down to earth where it can be affordable, hip, and as common as an m series...

 

To be honest for a working stiff like myself, until I actually stopped into my local benz dealership I always thought they were out of reach..... but the lesser optioned models are pretty reasonable...... we got into our 1st benz a stripper c230 and it was around the price of a japanese import..... and it sucked us in.

4 yrs later and we're on mb #2, #3, and #4....... we hope to continue to keep our ***** wrapped in mb leather for years to come.

....

Regarding buying a used amg....... a documented low mileage model is a screaming deal..... if you get one from the "old man" who drove his cl65 to/from coffee shop and church, no mods....... it's just broken in @ under 40k miles IMHO>

They depreciate soooooo FAST soooooo FAR that you could actually take a big hit on a transmission service or I dare a motor rebuild and still not come out too bad.

I got into my clk55 for just over 20K USD and it had just over 20K miles on it..... I'll put another 25-30K in mods and drive it for another 5-8 years or more. I get bored pretty quickly, so I have to mod what I drive...... this fit the bill for me.

Another reason for the big depreciation is that AMG is CONTINUALLY improving......

egs:
2001 CLK55
2003 CLK55
2006 CL550
2007 CLK63 (non BS)
2007 CLK63 BS
2011 C63 Coupe

Each year getting better transmissions, better engines, more HP/tq, nicer interiors, etc....

So if you buy retail, your ride is "outdated" in 1-2 yrs compared to the new stuff....... BUT what that does for a patient tight-wad like me.... allows you to pick up a good deal on a "old, passe' " AMG at the back end of the wow-curve for 40-70 cents on the dollar.

I'll do the same when I get a pcar-turbo..... the 996 turbos are very reasonably priced.. at 35-45K...... and then a few bolt-ons and you're in 600HP territory.

Pardon the long long post.... but I really dig this subject.

 

I agree,however now, I've seen a couple of E30 M3's,E28 M5's and E34 M5's go for some good $$$$$. The SL AMG's are the AMG's that I feel will hold their value well.

 

along the same lines of E30 M3's,E28 M5's and E34 M5's....what about "the hammer"...the monster that porsche and mb collaborated....impossible to find and $$$ is untouchable...

i think the only amgs that hold real value are the 65s....

 

Porsche and MB worked on the 500E, AMG are exclusively the builders of All the Hammers. Two different cars with the Hammers costing a fortune

 

Uh, no. 65s have bigger engines which make them heavier cars. Hence their value falls even faster. Even in the homeland of Germany. There you can buy a 2006 CL 65 in good condition for about 35 to 40K euros. That is about 1/6 of what they sold for new.

 

Its not only AMG's bro. In my area (SLC UT), they have three to four 2006-2007 E60 M5's for $35,000-$40,000. Thats a $110,000 car brand new! so I think its most cars. But our AMG's are worse, but not the only ones suffering from this. Have you ever heard a 2003 CLK55 for 16 grand? with 76k miles lol.

 

Count me in as one of those who thought the AMG was out of reach and almost didn't even look. Wanted a true adult 4 seat convertible and was looking at 07 and 08 CLK550s and 6 series for a few months to gauge what would be a good price before buying - Decided one day to look at the AMGs just for the heck of it and when I found out how little the price difference was, stopped looking at the 550s. I wonder how much of the price drop is due to people not even looking at them due to reputation as an expensive car.

 

I was wondering about that. I picked up a 2001 clk 55 amg for 8k. As I understand it these cars were 75k at one time?

 

Uh, yeah, well equipped. Even more, if you got the designo paint and special interior.

 

i know i am taking a bath. i could not sell my car today for what i owe. trade in value on a W209 55 amg is about 14k, yuck.