How Much Would You Pay: 2002 E-430?
08-02-2024, 08:52 PM
#1
How Much Would You Pay: 2002 E-430?
Loved my 2002 E-430 (silver) and maintained it well over the years at my local dealership but I'm considering changing things up and potentially selling it. How much would you list for and where? From these forums I've read about $3.5 - 4k?
Current issues: Sticky windows (doesn't open and close fluidly), radio doesn't work that well, weathered leather seats and steering wheel.
Current issues: Sticky windows (doesn't open and close fluidly), radio doesn't work that well, weathered leather seats and steering wheel.
08-02-2024, 11:07 PM
#2
If you ask me, and it's solely my opinion. You haven't list the mileage so hard to say, but with sticky windows ( you have a S in it, so I'm assuming at least two, if not more windows), half working radio and weathered LEATHER seat and steering, I'm not going to pay more than 3k for it. Probably lower. It's very hard to say without any picture(s). See below for reason.
Sticky windows - Not sure if it's an weatherstrip or regulator problem.
half working radio - Need replacement. If you can install it yourself, great. If not, $$$ for new unit + installation.
Weathered leathers - $$$ if need to replace the actual seat or even the seat leather.
Any rust spot or body damage, even the smallest ding, I'll probably walk away unless you do your own body work, including paint (which I do). Just remember, you love the car, but to anyone else it's a 22 years old, almost 1/4 century old car. + whatever mileage you have on that car.
Sticky windows - Not sure if it's an weatherstrip or regulator problem.
half working radio - Need replacement. If you can install it yourself, great. If not, $$$ for new unit + installation.
Weathered leathers - $$$ if need to replace the actual seat or even the seat leather.
Any rust spot or body damage, even the smallest ding, I'll probably walk away unless you do your own body work, including paint (which I do). Just remember, you love the car, but to anyone else it's a 22 years old, almost 1/4 century old car. + whatever mileage you have on that car.
The following 2 users liked this post by ilove190evo:
davmil2002 (08-03-2024),
mercwellwish (08-03-2024)
UPDATE: pics + mileage
08-03-2024, 05:06 PM
#4
Thanks for your take here - very helpful. I posted a few pictures and the mileage is almost 143k.
Think 2-2.5k is fair?
Also, if anyone has any recs on how and where to list an offer to sell on the Northeast Coast - please let me know! Thank you all.
Think 2-2.5k is fair?
Also, if anyone has any recs on how and where to list an offer to sell on the Northeast Coast - please let me know! Thank you all.
08-03-2024, 08:19 PM
#5
Buying and listing are two different things.
List the car for, say 5k and don't forget to add obo (Or Best Offer). Just wait and see how far it goes down to. Just set yourself with bottom line and don't go below the bottom line, whatever you set it at. Don't set the bottom line too high or you'll never sell the car, but don't set it at too low as well.
If I may, why do you want to sell the car? Mercedes is just beginning to start its life at around your mileage. Keep up with the maintenance and she'll go way over 200k miles. If you have something you're hiding, say unknown problem or body repair, buyer will know it from the conversation. Buying or selling the car, you're taking some loss to a certain point, so if you love the car, I'll say run it down until she becomes a money pit. When that happen, you'll know it's time to say farewell to her.
Lastly, these are just my advice. Been a mechanic from shade tree to professional, I just hate to see good cars to go to waste. Unless of course, you're filthy rich and spending two digit k's is nothing to you. In that case, I have no idea why you're here. Even spending, say 3k a year for a maintenance, it sure beat paying several thousands + full coverage for a auto insurance a year, in my opinion. BTW, if you DO spend 3k a year for maintenance, you should start collecting some tools and watch youtube more often.
List the car for, say 5k and don't forget to add obo (Or Best Offer). Just wait and see how far it goes down to. Just set yourself with bottom line and don't go below the bottom line, whatever you set it at. Don't set the bottom line too high or you'll never sell the car, but don't set it at too low as well.
If I may, why do you want to sell the car? Mercedes is just beginning to start its life at around your mileage. Keep up with the maintenance and she'll go way over 200k miles. If you have something you're hiding, say unknown problem or body repair, buyer will know it from the conversation. Buying or selling the car, you're taking some loss to a certain point, so if you love the car, I'll say run it down until she becomes a money pit. When that happen, you'll know it's time to say farewell to her.
Lastly, these are just my advice. Been a mechanic from shade tree to professional, I just hate to see good cars to go to waste. Unless of course, you're filthy rich and spending two digit k's is nothing to you. In that case, I have no idea why you're here. Even spending, say 3k a year for a maintenance, it sure beat paying several thousands + full coverage for a auto insurance a year, in my opinion. BTW, if you DO spend 3k a year for maintenance, you should start collecting some tools and watch youtube more often.
Last edited by ilove190evo; 08-03-2024 at 08:20 PM.
The following users liked this post:
mercwellwish (08-04-2024)
08-04-2024, 03:02 AM
#6
Member
Issues? Maintenance history. Big item repairs done? Rust (you mentioned NE Coast)?
IMO - Ask $5K, take $4k - bump it up a thousand if you've kept up with maintenance and done the typical, big item repairs and there's no rust.
Mine's similar - been garaged in Georgia, so body is clean and I've kept up the maintenance. Done both cats, air conditioner, electronic shifting controller in tranny, high pressure power steering hose, motor mounts, valve cover gaskets, it has 130,000 miles. I paid $4k for it 5 years ago with 80,000 miles. Realistically, I love it but accept that a big MB style repair could render it not worth fixing. Then I'll sell it to one of this forum's fanatics that want it for the body & parts.
IMO - Ask $5K, take $4k - bump it up a thousand if you've kept up with maintenance and done the typical, big item repairs and there's no rust.
Mine's similar - been garaged in Georgia, so body is clean and I've kept up the maintenance. Done both cats, air conditioner, electronic shifting controller in tranny, high pressure power steering hose, motor mounts, valve cover gaskets, it has 130,000 miles. I paid $4k for it 5 years ago with 80,000 miles. Realistically, I love it but accept that a big MB style repair could render it not worth fixing. Then I'll sell it to one of this forum's fanatics that want it for the body & parts.
The following 2 users liked this post by davmil2002:
ilove190evo (08-04-2024),
mercwellwish (08-04-2024)
08-04-2024, 11:57 AM
#7
Appreciate all opinions received, thank you! Considering selling because I'm unsure how much maintenance would cost moving forward but I should probably investigate further. Unsure how much a rear axel repair would be.
Issues: suspected oil leak from rear axel that needs to be checked out, sticky windows, faulty radio, weathered steering wheel with sticky buttons (seats etc. are actually in great condition)
Maintenance History: always been serviced at dealership regularly until about 3-4 years ago, and the car has been gently used that entire period (barely driven, stored properly in a garage)
Issues: suspected oil leak from rear axel that needs to be checked out, sticky windows, faulty radio, weathered steering wheel with sticky buttons (seats etc. are actually in great condition)
Maintenance History: always been serviced at dealership regularly until about 3-4 years ago, and the car has been gently used that entire period (barely driven, stored properly in a garage)
