John Major

Okay I've got a 99 E320. Desert Silver color. I badly want to start modding it as I figure there's no point in trading it because it has 121,000 miles on it and I wouldn't get any "good" trade in value. But however, if I do decide to trade it in and I change the paint, lower it, and change the headlights to projectors, does that lower the trade or resale value? I badly want to get some black 19's but don't think it will look good against the Desert Silver color. I also wanted to switch the headlights out to the black projectors. What do you guys think?

ProV1

do u know how much a good re-paintjob costs?

John Major

I wasn't going to do the engine bay. Just the outside, under the hood, door jams, under the trunk. Quote was 2k. Showroom.

sosh

Any mods or repaint lower the value of the car. Only if the paint is bad should it be done and then it must be a first class job (expensive) to work out. You have the worst resale color on the car presently.

John Major

I know and I hate it! What the hell do I do? Wait and trade it in later? Or just do the other mods without the paint so I can at least swap back when I want to get rid of it? HElP!!

slk55lvr

I wouldn't put a bunch of mod money into a 99 E320 unless you planned on keeping it for another 3-4 years. At this point it would be throwing good money after bad, so to speak.

John Major

You know what? You're right. I think all I'll do is the 19's or 20's and call it a day. I've already got a system in there which I can take out once I trade it. I'll just get some wheels that I can swap to another vehicle once I trade. I hope to get a 211 320. Unless I hit the jackpot then it's E63 all the way!

sosh

I would not even do the wheels. They may not fit what you buy. Just drive it as is and trade it when you are ready. Or, sell it now as is.

Air Marshall Eldritch

The desert silver is the MB twisted nomenclature for Beige/Gold, right? I happen to like that color, lol. I also like the dark red color, both of which are different from the 99.99% of E-classes you ever see, which are either black or "bore me to death silver".

slk55lvr

I like it a lot too, so much that I bought one in that color! It just looks right on a benz, imo.

slk55lvr

Great decision! The wheels are easy to transfer onto your next benz, or sell to someone else. have fun!

OCKlasse

I believe 99 210s were still my color (Smoke Silver Metallic 702). 2000 was the beginning of Desert Silver (I could be wrong) I happen to love my color

Richard / E320

Are you sure?? This one has my vote for worst resale-value color!



I don't own a Desert Silver, but have always thought it was a great color...

Eurosport

i like Deseert Silver, not many around though
it's a beautiful color, the only gold i don't like is the older variation of it
with black wheels you'd be suprised but it gives it nice contrast could be a posibility, but if you're thinking of getting rid of it, i wouldn't spend any $ on it, only strictly neccessary, no mods, definitely no paint, no wheels, etc.

i also had a burgandy 96 e320 awhile ago, that color was gorgeous when washed/waxed sunny day, these days i haven't even seen any burgandys on the road lately, it's all silver, black, or silver ;p not to mention the black opals, capri blues, orion blues, they all very rare sights

Air Marshall Eldritch

That one is pretty "special", but dont forget Bigtire's spray-on bra from a few years back.
https://mbworld.org/forums/off-topic/84417-i-m-so-fed-up-rock-chips-front-my-car.html

CQHall

Dude, every car can't do every mod.

Black wheels and headlights will look like crap on that car. Projectors will likely not be worth the cash and trouble to install.

Your best bet is to go for the OEM sporty look and skip the show-car dreams.

Sporty OEM goes like this:
- Sport springs (H&R or similar)
- Sport shocks (Koni or similar)
- Low-key AMG or Brabus body kit (skip the Combat kit )
- 18" Monoblock wheels (This wheel looks awesome on W210 and seriously, this is probably the ONLY wheel that will not look weird.)
- Stay away from thin 5-spoke type wheels. Those wheels look great on some cars, but not the W210.
- No tint (the black windows will contrast too much with the light color of the car)

Also, don't underestimate the power of:
- A clean, detailed car
- A properly running car
- No dents, dings, or scratches
- No broken or missing OEM interior trim parts

OK. That should keep you (and your wallet) busy for a while.




If you get all of that going, you will definitely turn heads and get compliments with your ride...from guys and girls. This will also definitely help with resale value. Keep in mind that 99.9% of people in the used Benz market aren't interested in black wheels, black headlights, or similar mods.

Hey man, having a benz is flash enough. Don't rice it out. Pleeeeease.

CQHall

... and dude. If you put 20" wheels on, your car is gonna look like a scared cat.



Then you might as well go ahead and turn your scared-cat-mobile into a scared-cat-shopping-cart with a wing installed on the trunk.

EuroFamily

I will not do anything about the car unless I want to keep it longterm
I was going to trade the car in the end of last year but the trade value is way lower than what I expected so I decided to keep it since it has only 80K km, and it still runs great so for the price they quote me in the trade, it is totally not worth it trading in.
repaint is going to lower the re-sale value, I'd save the money and when trading in the car, dealers will say how much they deduct from the value if it has to repaint and usually the numbers can work out a lot cheaper than you do it yourself.

Richard / E320

That's way too funny; I can just imagine how the used car ad would read: "...no bumper or hood rock chips. Has a one of a kind custom bra. Small chips can be filled in with black shoe polish for that brand-new look"...