Opinions needed: how much is a modified 2003 E500 worth?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 191
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From: Boston, MA
2005 E320, 2004 C240 4Matic, 2001 S430
Opinions needed: how much is a modified 2003 E500 worth?
Ladies and gents,
I will upload pics soon but in the meantime I wanted to get some feedback on what you think my car is currently worth. I am aware of the fact that mods are hardly worth anything but I've really put some time/money/effort into this car. I just can't keep in on the streets of Boston where it constantly takes a beating and 3 weeks out of every 2-3 months is in the shop since I can't stand dents, scratches, bent wheels etc. Anyway, here we go (by the way, I'd like to sell it to a private party so estimate that if you can):
- 2003 E500 with 62K miles (I know, a lot)
- peweter with ash color combo
- active/drive dynamic seats (with massage and all that)
- Xenon headlights
- HK sound system with 6 in-dash CD changer and an extra CD (7 CDs total)
- lowered 0.75" via airmatic (does not void any warranty or affect alignment, ride quality etc) - done at the dealer
- 19x8.5 and 19x9.5 Brabus Monoblock VI replica wheels with Pirelli Zero tires (with Benz emblems)
- Carlsoon-style body kit molded with the front and rear bumpers (no line visible, it looks like a factory set-up)
- dual exhaust tips (2 on each side) matching the body kit (coming "out" of the bumper not from underneath)
- trunk lid spoiler (AMG style) molded onto the trunk (not stuck on with tape)
- 20% all around tint with lifetime waranty
- CL-style grille (in silver, blends really well with the car)
- front emblem removed
- regular and all-season mats (both in ash - the color of the interior)
The car looks sick and very classy, as I said I will try to upload pics soon. There is not a single scratch on the car, wheels are in very good shape as well. Let me know what you think I should ask for it.
Thanks a lot,
Sergiu
I will upload pics soon but in the meantime I wanted to get some feedback on what you think my car is currently worth. I am aware of the fact that mods are hardly worth anything but I've really put some time/money/effort into this car. I just can't keep in on the streets of Boston where it constantly takes a beating and 3 weeks out of every 2-3 months is in the shop since I can't stand dents, scratches, bent wheels etc. Anyway, here we go (by the way, I'd like to sell it to a private party so estimate that if you can):
- 2003 E500 with 62K miles (I know, a lot)
- peweter with ash color combo
- active/drive dynamic seats (with massage and all that)
- Xenon headlights
- HK sound system with 6 in-dash CD changer and an extra CD (7 CDs total)
- lowered 0.75" via airmatic (does not void any warranty or affect alignment, ride quality etc) - done at the dealer
- 19x8.5 and 19x9.5 Brabus Monoblock VI replica wheels with Pirelli Zero tires (with Benz emblems)
- Carlsoon-style body kit molded with the front and rear bumpers (no line visible, it looks like a factory set-up)
- dual exhaust tips (2 on each side) matching the body kit (coming "out" of the bumper not from underneath)
- trunk lid spoiler (AMG style) molded onto the trunk (not stuck on with tape)
- 20% all around tint with lifetime waranty
- CL-style grille (in silver, blends really well with the car)
- front emblem removed
- regular and all-season mats (both in ash - the color of the interior)
The car looks sick and very classy, as I said I will try to upload pics soon. There is not a single scratch on the car, wheels are in very good shape as well. Let me know what you think I should ask for it.
Thanks a lot,
Sergiu
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 51
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From: NYC
06 E60 M5 silverstone/Silverstone
Modified e500
I've experienced the same problem before with my 2000 BMW 540 sport... I had total m5 package (m5 bumpers, wheels, ac schnitzer side and rear view mirros, clear side blinkers, new michelin *** tires, Eisenmann qaud exhaust, window tint, car in great condition), but when you consider trading into a dealership you might actually get less than a non-modified car (reason-cars modified, in dealer's opinion, are more likely to be "raced," "burned," etc..." The only way where you can recoup a few thousands more is definitely by private sale.. ur mods should be nice assets im sure someone will offer you a couple of thousand over market price..~
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 191
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From: Boston, MA
2005 E320, 2004 C240 4Matic, 2001 S430
Got a few replies on BenzWorld and it seems like I can ask somewhere between $37K and $38K. Trading in would be nice because I can take a little less and recover some in tax savings but first of all I don't want another high end car for a while (gonna give the small SUV - Murano, Touareg - a try) and I also want the car in someone's hands who appreciates the mods.
Will keep you guys posted.
Will keep you guys posted.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 996
Likes: 16
From: Tampa, Florida
2017 E300W
Hi, your car looks great. But I asked my MB used car department about this last year as I saw one ‘06 being loaded (with 2,000 mi.) on a trailer destined for the auctions.
They said that they deduct 25 -45% off wholesale for ANY mods. As much as you may like your wheels, they’re going to change them to stock. Likewise for lowering, wings, neon lights, non-stock stereo (they called them boom-boxes) etc. If they find “chips”, the cars are NEVER kept and will never qualify for Starmark. They also said (whether it’s true or not) , mods suggest teens or “kids” (whatever that means) owned the car and were abused. I may not agree, but that’s what I was told. They also told me cars with mods were usually wholesaled, as in the car I saw. I’m not making comments about your car, but that’s just what I was told. If there’s anyone within the resale market, your comments would be helpful.
My 2 cents, keep your original wheels, grill, etc., and re-intall before selling. Then you have the best of both worlds. Good luck!
They said that they deduct 25 -45% off wholesale for ANY mods. As much as you may like your wheels, they’re going to change them to stock. Likewise for lowering, wings, neon lights, non-stock stereo (they called them boom-boxes) etc. If they find “chips”, the cars are NEVER kept and will never qualify for Starmark. They also said (whether it’s true or not) , mods suggest teens or “kids” (whatever that means) owned the car and were abused. I may not agree, but that’s what I was told. They also told me cars with mods were usually wholesaled, as in the car I saw. I’m not making comments about your car, but that’s just what I was told. If there’s anyone within the resale market, your comments would be helpful.
My 2 cents, keep your original wheels, grill, etc., and re-intall before selling. Then you have the best of both worlds. Good luck!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 191
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From: Boston, MA
2005 E320, 2004 C240 4Matic, 2001 S430
I agree with your post - for a dealer the car would be woth less than a stock one. However, I am hoping someone interested in a modded Benz would pick it up and give me a little more than private sale value for it. I don't want to trade it in anyways because I am not interested in a more expensive car so it won't work.
I do have the grill, can get stock wheels and remove the spoiler. The lowering can be undone via the computer. Not sure about the bumpers, I am sure I can sell these and get the stock ones but hopefully it won't be the case.
Now the waiting game begins...
Thanks for the feedback,
Sergiu
I do have the grill, can get stock wheels and remove the spoiler. The lowering can be undone via the computer. Not sure about the bumpers, I am sure I can sell these and get the stock ones but hopefully it won't be the case.
Now the waiting game begins...
Thanks for the feedback,
Sergiu
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 191
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From: Boston, MA
2005 E320, 2004 C240 4Matic, 2001 S430
Lowered it to $33,500
I had the car on-line (cars.com and autotrader.com) for $34,900 and no bites (just tire kickers). I am lowering it to $33,500, if that doesn't do it then I don't know... Any advice?
By the way, has anyone here used thebiglot.com (and I think they also advertise on autohopper.com)? They have a 90-day money back guarantee so I might give them a try. There are just too many E500s on cars.com and autotrader.com and I am not sure how to make mine stand out (the miles certainly don't help)...
By the way, has anyone here used thebiglot.com (and I think they also advertise on autohopper.com)? They have a 90-day money back guarantee so I might give them a try. There are just too many E500s on cars.com and autotrader.com and I am not sure how to make mine stand out (the miles certainly don't help)...
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Houston
2005 E500, 2000 H1, 2004 GSXR 600, Wife 2004 M3
If you would like, you can pm me and I will consider a trade for your wheels plus a little money on my part.
I have the 17" 05 E500 wheels and was looking to get rid of them and get some different ones. The tires are in excellent condition.
I have the 17" 05 E500 wheels and was looking to get rid of them and get some different ones. The tires are in excellent condition.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 29
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From: Atlanta, GA
W211
Originally Posted by intrinsico
I had the car on-line (cars.com and autotrader.com) for $34,900 and no bites (just tire kickers). I am lowering it to $33,500, if that doesn't do it then I don't know... Any advice?
By the way, has anyone here used thebiglot.com (and I think they also advertise on autohopper.com)? They have a 90-day money back guarantee so I might give them a try. There are just too many E500s on cars.com and autotrader.com and I am not sure how to make mine stand out (the miles certainly don't help)...
By the way, has anyone here used thebiglot.com (and I think they also advertise on autohopper.com)? They have a 90-day money back guarantee so I might give them a try. There are just too many E500s on cars.com and autotrader.com and I am not sure how to make mine stand out (the miles certainly don't help)...
Try craigslist.org
It's free and you might be surprised!
Also, don't give up and lower your price. Wait it out and you'll find someone interested.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 191
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From: Boston, MA
2005 E320, 2004 C240 4Matic, 2001 S430
Further dropped to $31,900. Also, please check out http://www.intrinsico.com/E500 for more pictures and details. I am pretty firm on this price, I am convinced the car is really worth that if not a little more so please only contact me if you are serious about buying.
Sergiu
Sergiu
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 191
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From: Boston, MA
2005 E320, 2004 C240 4Matic, 2001 S430
True, the W211s depreciate like crazy... Anyway, sklasse, I see you sold your ML on eBay - would you recommend it? How was the transaction? Did you sell it right away?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 191
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From: Boston, MA
2005 E320, 2004 C240 4Matic, 2001 S430
I just listed the car on eBay, let's see what happens: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MESE%3AIT&rd=1
