Paxfobiscum

I posted this on the W210 forum as well where I have been a member for 10 years. But my wife recently bought a 2012 E350 for me so we are debating if we should agree to the really low trade in for our old W210. I did a lot of research and spoke to a lot of dealers and the trade in for my 1998 Eclass E320 wagon (114,000 miles) ranged only between $3,000 and $3,500. I feel I could sell it at a higher price so my dilemma is whether to agree to the trade in or to sell it.

I know the dealer does not look at the options on trade in cars but my wagon is loaded so compared to other 1998 E320 Wagons or Sedans, here are the options on my wagon:

- Bi-Xenon headlamps
- Headlamp washer spray system
- Heated Front Seats (two levels)
- 5 Disc CD changer (controlled in Navi system)
- Bose Premium sound system (8 speakers + subwoofer)
- Saddle MB Tex interior (a rare color I have not seen any other E320)

In 2004, Steve Krabenborg added the following to my wagon:

- Navigation System (OEM Integrated)
- Multi-function AMG steering wheel
- Ipod integration

In this regard, it is a fully loaded, all OEM options. What is even rare is that it is a rear wheel drive (non 4matic). None of these are aftermarket products and most of these came with the car as original options on purchase. The car has been babied (at only 114,000 miles) and sit on an underground garage all its life. Repairs have been done only at two MB dealerships and one Independent.

In addition, in the past 18 months, here are some mechanical work done:

- All new tires (June 2011)
- New front left headlamp system (Bi Xenon, June 2011)
- New Aircon compressor (Oct 2010)
- New rear shock absorbers (Jan 2010)
- New window regulator (Oct 2011)
- New oil pan (Oct 2011)
- New center splash guard (Oct 2011)

One door has rust so I bought a new door frame, which is sitting in my living room right now. I have not attached the new door because it needs to be painted black to match the car color and if I were to trade it in then I see no need to change the door with a new one.

The steering wheel needs a new clock spring, which costs about $330 (plus labor). The only repair needed would be to fix a couple of half-inch dings on two doors, a crack on the front bumper and some scratches on the rear bumper. The car needs new brake rotors, which are cheap, and something I can easily do myself.

The question is should I do all the repairs and try to sell it or should I just give it up to the dealer for $3,000?

What do you guys think?

CEB

That is always a difficult decision and has lots of questions attached.

Do you generally sell cars yourself? Would it bother you to do that?

It is a bit of a niche car so the right buyer will bring you more money but it might take a while. Being a 'rare' RWD doesn't help in NY.

What does KBB or Edmunds value your car at? From your description of the car, it sounds like it needs some mechanical work and some bodywork - something that would scare many private buyers away. Saying that you have a spare door makes it sound a bit like a parts car. Additionally, identifying all the work you've done in the last 18 months may give the impression that you are dumping the car because repairs are starting to add up. Since none sound really more than normal wear and tear, I'd forget about all of that and only list the items that you know are needed.

Unless the dealer is vastly undervaluing your car I'd just trade it in. It sounds like you got a very good price on the car so even if you lose a grand or so on the trade, you still came out ahead. Don't forget to factor in the cost and hassle of selling the car on your own.

El Cid

If available, might try Carmax, but I don't know if they are interested in cars that old or with that high a mileage.

Dooty

The dealer offered me the same $3000 for a 99 E300TD, with 94,000 miles and very few options, as trade in for a 2011 BlueTec. The car was garage kept. There were no dings but a few rock chips. The paint was near perfect. I had all maintenance records from new. Dealer only serviced. The headlight lenses were crystal clear. The car looked great and ran great. On various web sites prices ranged from $7000 to a dealer ad for $20,000. I placed an ad on Craigslist for $11,000 at 8am. By 4pm same day car was sold for $10,000. The dealer offer was not realistic.

CEB

Edmunds values your car in average condition at about 2150 trade in with a dealer sales price of about 3200. Private party sales is $2500.

Take the dealer offer and consider yourself very lucky.

The diesel mentioned in the above post is worth more than double than your car according to Edmunds, but if he got $10k for it then he found a real sucker as the private party price for his car is about $5500.

K-A

I got Dealer offers for $5-$7K on a 2001 W220 S500 with 154K miles. I sold it for $12.5K Private Party.

If it isn't a pain for you to go through the Private Sale process, and is worth the time and effort, not to mention you're not freaky about potential dangers of it (I've sold plenty of my Cars, so just be wise about it and you should be okay), then I don't see why you wouldn't sell it Private Party. You have nothing to lose and only some to gain.

petee1997

If I were you I would replace the door since you already have the parts and have the car professinally detailed including the dings. Then put the car on Craig List or Auto Trader and you will most certainly do better than the dealer offer.

Paxfobiscum

About the spare mint looking door. I bought that from a friend who deals in car parts. It was meant to replace one door in my car that had rust on the top. But I never got to repaint the spare door.

Anyway, thanks everyone for your comments. I may just trade it in and take $3,500 and walk away (not run) but walk. I don't have the time nor the experience to sell cars so the trade in makes sense. Too bad about all the nice options and hopefully whoever gets the car will appreciate what it has.

Anyone know of a W210 owner who needs a nice right rear door shell, let me know.


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CEB

What was the Edmunds/KBB value of your car when you sold it? In the OP's case, the dealer is offering over dealer retail for his car.

While it is possible that he might find a customer willing to pay over book value, the chances are pretty slim. The big savings come when the dealer is offering far under trade in value.

I've bought a handful of used vehicles from private parties and have always anywhere between trade in and private party prices - generally closer to trade in.

K-A

Don't remember actually. I think Dealer Trade In was around what they offered, and Private Party value was around what I sold it for.

CEB

That makes sense. In this case, the dealer has offered well over dealer retail for a 14 year old car.

BM2BZ

just wanted to let you know i've just sold a car myself on craigslist a few days ago and the person who bought it didn't even ask for a penny off . it's not even time consuming nor troublesome. but if you have the money and time is everything, just trade it in. if not and if you are lucky like me, you could possibly find a nice buyer like i did .

CEB

did he pay with a Western Union money order that was a few thousand more than your asking price and ask you to give him back the difference?

There are several things to consider when selling your car. The primary issue is weighing the hassle against the possible return.

If a trade in would net you much less than the value of the car then you should sell it on your own. If you have a niche market car in perfect condition and access to enthusiasts then you should consider selling it on your own - but if your niche market car is 'rare' because it is missing a very desireable option for your market (4matic) AND the dealer is offering well over retail, then matching that price is going to be very hard.

BM2BZ

no. it was a check under my name but sent to the buyer from a reputable bank. however, no matter how safe the bank is or how trustworthy that person looks, still need to wait for the check to cleared before transferring the title. so i think my case is really rare .

the other good thing about trading in is you pay less taxes on the new car as they'll deduct the value of your car toward the purchasing price of the new car and it could save you at least another few hundred bucks. so put this into consideration as well.

CEB

That is state dependent. Some states consider trades in calculating taxes while others don't.

BM2BZ

if that's the case, just put it on craigslist. the thing i hate to see is they give you $3k for the trade and next day you see it on the ad for $9995 !

PHML

sell it yourself...you get more $$$$ for it. the dealers give you a low ball price not because they want it, its because they have another used car shop willing to buy it at that price to put on their used car lot.

CEB

And what do you sales experts suggest he price his car at? KBB values his car at 2150 trade in with a dealer sales price of about 3200. Private party sales is $2500.

The dealer is offering him $3500.

Cars.com shows 1 car within 100 miles of Washington DC. It is a 4matic for sale at $4299 obo.

So, hotshots, what should he sell it for?

It is so easy to say "sell it on your own and make thousands" but the reality is far different - especially if the dealer is offering a fair price.

Paxfobiscum

Hi CEB,

I was a little surprised at your prices so I assume you may not have put in all the options into the KBB calculation. Per KBB the trade in value for my car is $4,142 for a fair condition, while the private party transaction is $5,462 for fair condition. Note that fair condition is considered the "worse" condition amongst all the options, so technically it should not be lower priced than these ranges. Try it again and add the options I indicated above. Remember that this has ALL THE OPTIONS except for: 4Matic, the startec phone, and leather. Try it again and you will see a better price.

I appreciate your commentary, don't get me wrong, because you are the voice of reason here and as I have stated before, if it were only for an additional $1K, then I will let the car go. As my father likes to say "A bird in the hand is worth more than two in the bush."

CEB

I actually used Edmunds and chose all the options but there are so many variables that really make this difficult.

I actually did another cars.com search using no mileage restrictions to my zip code and came up with an assortment of cars from about $4k to $7k. The majority are in the $4500 range.

The figures are really academic. My point was only was only that one has to look at the value of a vehicle (Edmunds, KBB, Galves etc) and compare that to a dealer trade in offer and make a determination about taking the trade offer or selling the car privately.

One good price indicator is CARFAX and it never hurts to get a quote from them. Compare that to the other offers and autotrader/cars.com offers and you can get a pretty good idea about the value of your car.

Only then can you make an educated decision - but it is so simple to say "sell it on your own."

BM2BZ

ok, let's put it this way. if you are going to sell it yourself and put it up on craigslist for $5,500 obo. most likely you'll get nothing more than $4,500. go back to your dealer and see if you can squeeze another few hundreds bucks from them. if not, $3,500 isn't that bad. $1k is $1k in this kind of economy but $1k save you time, hassle-free and like what i said earlier, if your state can let you deduct $3,500 from your purchasing price, it could save you at least another couple hundreds bucks or more.

MCF

Local dealer gave of $7000 for an abused 325i with 80,000 miles with lots of mechanical problems. If you don't like the trade offer, put it on craiglist and auto trader and slap a sign on it and keep driving it. At that price range it will fly away. Selling cars is easy.

WEBSRFR

I would try to sell it on my own for 2 weeks and see hoe it goes. I usually look for cars on cars.com so I think that might be a good place to list it.

Also FWIW I think for most typical buyers buying a wagon not having 4MATIC might actually hurt you... I know if i were buying a wagon I'd definitely want that. Other than that your car is very nicely optioned and someone buying it going to get a great car they can enjoy as it's the options that makes these cars special...

PHML

CEB, you need to take a chill pill dude.

OP asked if he should sell himself or trade it in...not give him a value to sell it for...OP stated, "I feel I could sell it at a higher price so my dilemma is whether to agree to the trade in or to sell it."

How would anyone here on this forum give a price based on what's posted...its totally subjective. There's not even pics of the ride, its condition, etc...

My reply was based on experience...you get more selling it than trading it.

Paxfobiscum

Thanks. Yes, I know the lack of 4matic is going to limit potential buyers here. Too bad....

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