Stiggs

Hello....my mom has a 1998 E320 with around 77K miles on it. She is very interested in trading up to a new E class but wants me to help her at the dealership. Should I be looking at sticker price or can I get some money off of that with the 2004 W211?? Are they still too hot to bargain down?
How much should she expect to get for her present car? in trade that is.

Thanks in advance.....
Oh yeah, her current car is brillant silver. I'm trying to convince her into something else....she leaning toward the pewter!

Anything I need to know??

bmms8

you could get a good deal probably since dealers are looking for a trade in, i would just call around and ask for the internet manager or something.,.

pfphipps

What should you know? Keep the wife happy! But I do not have to tell you that.

We have the pewter and we like it it. Any color you or she like is the one to get. You should be able to get some off especially on the E320. Search the board for what others are getting in your area.

Best of luck on your new car.

jtm311

I went with the pewter and sand leather Love it!

Stiggs

Thanks...but this is my MOM....not my wife.

pfphipps

Either way, got to keep the ladies happy!

Adobe

I never trade in my old car. Dealers probably make more on the old car than on the new one. I've never had a problem selling a used Mercedes or BMW that was in nice shape. Just put a For Sale sign in the window and someone will call you.

If you do want to trade, find out what your car is worth before going to a dealer and then never talk trade or interest rates until you've established a price for the new car. Kelly Blue Book is at www.kbb.com

Remember it isn't what they give you for your old car that's important, it's the DIFFERENCE you have to pay.

I'd also go to www.edmunds.com and configure the car you want and put in your Zip Code. They'll give you an idea what that new car is selling for in your area. They will also tell you MSRP vs. Invoice.

To get a rough idea what you'll have to pay, subtract what Kelly says your car is worth from what Edmunds says your new car should cost.

rickyfanmdr

I also recommend edmunds.com for getting very useful information.

Stiggs

Thanks for all your help to everyone!! I'll keep you posted on what happens.

djantlive

I like the look of W211 but I heard they aren't nearly as reliable as the W210. My folks have a W210 with 22k mi on it and we spent $1k in repairs (not maint) - which isn't too bad.

The only reason to get a W211 in my opinion is for the advance electronics (DVD Nav, etc). For looks alone, I would keep the W210.

BTW, saw your other post on trade in value. I see private and used dealer sales E320 for $22k so $14k seems low. This is in CA though and prices tend to be higher.

GO NSDQ

Have you considered autospies.com. If you don't have to get the car immediately, they can probably get you a pretty good deal well below what others in your area are paying by shipping it across country. I've bought my last two E-classes through them. When I sold my 210 I recieved $1900 more than I paid for it and yet I had driven it for almost a year and a half.