Merry Christmas and hello to forum members,

Looking into an 2015 GTS upgraded by all power, exhaust, wheel, exterior, interior options except ceramic brakes (Brabus 600) . How much premium would that be compared to AMG GTS and Edition 1 version in estimated percentage? Let's assume rest conditions are all same.

Thanks.

 

Pics? Would probably depend on how much you personally like the cosmetic mods.

 

For most cars mods make it worth less not more. Many dealerships would not even take that car in on a trade, and if they did they would charge you (in terms of trade value) to return it to stock.

 

Its a little different than that (I mod every car that I own).

The dealerships don't like it because they don't want the hassle of a car that isn't done right and more often than not, difficult to explain. Also, a car that isn't stock can't be CPO'd etc, so they tend to devalue to de-risk or factor costs for reverting to stock. To them modifications are nothing but a headache. In fact, as you mention, if the risk is too high, sometimes (rarely) they wont even want the car. In terms of modifications themselves, what you can pretty much determine is two things; if you are selling, don't plan on getting your money back and second, depending on how much off the factory spec they are, count on your market narrowing to a much smaller group of people. Think of something like a wrap - you love the color and paid $5K for it and the dealership or buyer is getting zero value from the color change and short of having it removed, might be overlooking damage that might otherwise be hidden by the wrap.

There are other dealerships that thrive in this market - I have a friend who owns Elite Motors in Concord CA - welcomes cars with the right mods and doesnt devalue them simply because they swayed from stock.

If you are a buyer, and like the mods, don't fall in love and pay a premium unless it's exactly that you wanted to do and you see it as cost savings. Even still, the car might be worth no more than a good example of stock. Unless, it's EXACTLY what you would go out and do anyway; then its all up to how bad you want it and how the selling price fits.

 

I thought Brabus adds value as they are highly associated with MB. There is only one Brabus similar year, spec on AutoScout24 and with significantly higher price tag to regular GTS.

Here photos..

 

I have spent a lot of my life (50+ years of taking cars apart and rebuilding them) and have modified 100's of cars (including my own almost 500). There are a few dealers that will take modified cars, but MB, BMW, and Porsche have changed their CPO policies over the last few years and they are stricter about where the car was serviced, accidents, and yes any modifications. AMG was once another company like Brabus, that MB bought and now acts like their M division (and like M the definition of an AMG car is getting more muddled), and I have probably had more dealing with car manufacturers and dealers than most people. Around here you would have a hard time getting rid of that car (to a MB dealer), and I can only speak from my experience, but my 911 with 387K worth of modifications is considered a kit car by both Porsche and my local dealers (it only has 25% of it original parts). Personally cars are adult tinker toys to me, and taking them apart and changing them in many ways is more rewarding than driving them, but the question OP asked was want what it worth. I would pay less for that car if it were me (and I buy a lot of cars), I have seen great modification jobs over the years but I have also (and more often) seen people do things that ruin what was a decent machine. Obviously this is just my opinion, but I would call a couple of local MB dealers OP, see what they would give you on a trade for that car. Good luck.

 

2015?

Thats a 6 yr old car. It is worth south of 75k at this point.

 

Skilly and Carnut1 have both covered basically everything that can be said on this subject.
I have modded every car I owned (well, most at least) car I have owned since my first car back in 1977 (FIAT 127p), still, not even close to a 100 but a high 2 digit nevertheless.
As Carnut1 already mentioned, not most but ALL of the authorized dealers would not add any value to trade ins (but add it to the asking price on their used car sales showroom).
CPO is the main culprit and in addition the outright hostility of manufacturers to any kind of aftermarket changes to their cars.
My own dealer is a great example of how it changed their sales policies, used to mod all MBs with no problem but since about 2007 stopped doing them as it was just not worth it in the end anyway.
They still do it for me because they know me well and still remember when I took the blame for the SL65 losing the warranty and a very high repair bill for faulty LSD (from a certain Dutch company I shall leave nameless).
Mods were discovered by MB rep called in to consult, by a newly hired SA not familiar with the dealer's involvement yet.
Like I said, the still do the work for me and trust me enough to be not afraid of consequences if something went wrong, any trade in from me they just wholesale to high end brokers who still appreciate the mods (by not lowering their price vs stock cars).
There are very few of them that happily accept cars with Renntech, Weistec or Brabus mods but still would not add a premium for them in any significant numbers.
Brabus is a special case, unofficially accepted by MB parent company (and this reflects in the secondary market for the "B" brand) in Germany (most Europe as well) or Middle East but sadly not on our own market in US.
MBUSA is becoming more aggressive and hostile lately to any US dealer who might be suspected of still working with these aftermarket companies and that includes Brabus (the only one that is officially considered as a Manufacturer , like Alpina or AMG also used to be, before being swallowed by the companies whose cars were their bread and butter.
You can still find a dealer willing to do the work (and charge for it a lot) but do not count on them for any kind of assistance when something happens.
The only perk I get(from my dealer), is an S-Class loaner when my car is in service and immediate response when I need any kind of service, (like a Winter wheels swap for example), no wait and a brand new S560 off the lot if they don't happen to have a demo available) loaner.

 

No premium. Modified cars carry risk. If anything it might take away value.

Personally, I would never purchase a modded car. Stock or low mile CPO only. If I want mods, I will do them myself with the full expectation of probably adversely affecting value at sale or trade.

 

FWIW, I sold a Ferrari 360 that was a combination of Stradale and Novitec mods - that market is a great example of car buyers that are overly adverse to modified cars. The right buyer purchased it from me about $10K over what was the running cost for a regular 360 like miles and spec. It was a Supermodel - looked amazing on the outside, but clearly built on a Friday and had all sorts of notorious 360 issues under the lipstick. It was a gated manual though, and judging by the market these days for them, the guy who bought it is still ahead. People will pay for the right mods, but I had reduced the market from hundreds to a handful.

PS - it sold with the stock seats stored safely away in storage plastic (non-daytona).

 

Thanks all for the depth of input and I am astonished with the amazing experiences.

If I would buy the GTS, I would definitely look for modifications and I am no way experienced as some of you mentioning their works. So leaving it to the expert who provided 3 years warranty is my safe bet. I am ok to pay 10-15% premium for Brabus in this case but let's see how negotiations will proceed. By the way, it seems people are willing to pay premium for Brabus in UAE after my local research.

What do you guys think about the car in photis vs Edition 1?

I also have a 2009 Ferrari 599 GTB, amazing fun but I am tired of the Italian problems so plan to sell it soon. GTS is a good option as it is more track friendly and I don't have to worry about the ceramic disc costs.

 

Skilly said something about Elite motors which is local to me. Here is a GTR with the right mods in my opinion. If I had not bought my car I’d buy this. https://www.cars925.com/vehicle-deta...f52ed26307ecbc

 

Why is it that everytime I see bodily modified cars this image comes to my mind?:

 

No clue, I can't see the resemblance. Though that GTR linked above you looks hideous to me with all of that ugly red striping.

 

Agree. Looks horrendous.

 

GTS
Unless this is a IMPORTED Euro model there wasn’t a 2015 GTS in the US. The first model year was 2016.
I would take the E1 over this one.
I wouldn’t pay any premium for the Brabus add on’s.
Don’t buy into the BS that Brabus OR Renntech are linked in or associated with Mercedes. They aren’t and will cancel out afactory warranty in a flash if you have modified the stock car. MB local dealers might cover some items but thats on them and not the factory. We have had many discussions on this issue here and the take away is always get it in writing.
Get CARFAX and see how the Stock MB Service history was.
Get the GTS Service history and service schedule on the car. There are some pricey services that come up as the car gets older (mileage and time) and you should be aware of them up front.

ALSO, See if any of the after market warranty companies will cover the car. Be sure to check their coverage policy on after market up grades.

Good Hunting

Jerry

 

Don't be spooked by aftermarket equipment just because they weren't sourced from the factory. In the US they simply cannot void your warranty for an aftermarket part - it's a flat wrong assumption. Aside from that protection we have here in the US, companies like RENNtech, Mansory, and Brabas create high quality parts that other than the personal taste factor, are made to the same quality standards as factory parts.

 

looks like a mustang 302 boss markings

 

Lmao, I'm sure they were trying to knockoff the SLS BS body lines, but I like your interpretation more, and now I can't un-see it.

 

mmmhmm

 

I think they quoted in the add that they could take the red strips off. Which I would do, but the mods look good.

 

But then, what are the haters gonna hate?

 

So true. I love the rear wing on it. Have not seen that one before.

 

Agreed, it's the renntech wing lip upgrade, and the first thing I'd do to my GT R, unless I wanted to go full ***** to the wall with the Tikt wing.

https://www.renntechmercedes.com/ind...amg-gtr-detail


It looks like it also has the Renntech front canards, side skirts, and rear diffuser extensions.

Basically all of this:

 

That's an oversimplification of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 50 U.S. Code §§ 2301, et seq. If a non conforming part contributed to or caused the defective condition the manufacturer may exclude the defect from its warranty.