lawguy

Here is my question (and dilemma).

I am looking for an e550 - been looking at some cabriolets, as well as trying to decide between 2010/2011 cars, and 2012+ turbos. Having decided that I want a turbo, I had my eye on a 2012 and a 2013 - both CPO cars priced in low 40's with low miles. However, in looking this weekend, i just discovered the lone 2014 Cardinal Red e550 on the market, and OMG - i am in love with that color. Its priced about $5k higher than i wanted to spend at this time (really about $9k higher).

But, its SOOOOOOO gorgeous, and I am totally worried I'll not be able to find another Cardinal Red e550 in the future with low miles if I let this one get away.

Anyone know of a source to find out either (a) how many 2014 e550's were sold/leased to have a sense what market will look like over next 12 months, or even better (b) how many RED 2014 e550's were sold/leased? Might not be info available, but never hurts to ask.

Long ago, I passed on an Imola Red BMW 740i sport, and could never again find one to my liking. Afraid history will repeat itself, but also not wanting to overspend my budget, if possible.

Thanks for all thoughts.

thefisch

Maybe ask for some auction data. Kash is a member that posted that data before so you can get a sense of volume. E550 is already rare (5-10% of E Class volume) so getting one that's not black, white or silver is even more rare. If it has all the options you want and you must have that color, then go for it.

jahquan3

Idk the data either but I've never seen a red E550. I'd go for it. As long as the options you want are there and the car is priced at it's correct value relatively.

DubVBenz

I think any of the 2014/2015 E550 models will be sort of collectible (in a way similar to finding an old 124 E500 is) because they'll be the last non-AMG E with an insane V8 and barely any were sold. If I were buying a 212, I'd pick up 15' 550.

lawguy

I dont think there is/was such a car. Ended in '14.

MBSebas87

Yep the V8's last year was 2014. I'm also in the market for a 2014 e550 but they're too expensive for me right now. I'm waiting until early next year once prices have gone down cuz of the new w213. I assume a lot e550 owners will be coming off their leases by then.

DubVBenz

If the V8's final year was 14, does that mean that the E400 was released as a '15? Or was there no engine choice between the 350 and AMG for 15?

threeMBs

2014 W212 E550 is unique because its the only year that E550 sedan was produced in the facelift body. While I do not have numbers infont of me, judging simply from inventory lists of available 2014 W212 E550s and E63s for sale, there are more E63 for 2014 (in addition to being also available for 2015 and 2016). So yes 2014 W212 E550 is unique, but its not retaining resale value at all. (2014 CLS550 does even worse as far as retaining value since body was facelifted for 2015MY).

SteveE400

Yes, the E400 was released for MY 2015. I was originally looking for an E550, but by the time I was ready to buy, there were no new E550's around, and I did not want to buy used.

lawguy

Airmousam

^^^not a big fan of red, but that does look sweet!!

SteveE400

In general, I've heard that the high-output, non-AMG E-Class cars account for about 10-12% of the annual build quantity. If my memory is correct, that means that for any recent year, when E-Class sales were about 50K units (North America only?), there would be maybe 5,000-6,000 of the high-output models. Then consider the fact that probably 80% of the cars are either black or white, and you find that there might be 1,000-1,200 cars among all the other available colors that year. That would make any of these colorful beauties a relatively uncommon car. Maybe not rare, but not easy to find.


My last car was a 2001 LS430. That year Lexus sold about 21,000 units of the LS in the North American market. I saw several cars that looked just like mine. I have yet to see an E400 that is the same color as mine - even in Chicago, which is a larger market for MB.

BlownS4

dude I will trade my Diamond White 550 for that in a heartbeat!!!

Munich77

That is gorgeous. Go for it - I have an 2014 E550 in Iridium Silver and I would love that color instead.

hyperion667

nice color lawguy

cetialpha5

One thing that tends to be forgotten is that rare does not equal valuable. There are so many combinations that it's possible that each car made is unique. There was no shortage when they made them, just that price relative to demand dictated the low production numbers. This is very common in the classifieds section, everyone thinks that because it's rare, they can ask top dollar, but people have lots of options with their dollars and they can always buy something else more reasonably priced. The simple answer is always in the book value, there's typically no correction factor for the color although some colors are more popular than others.

Mrmendoza

GL!

MBSebas87

So I've noticed prices for 2014 E550s are still just above 50k. How's that possible when the w213 is about to come out? I use autotrader to look what's available in my area. I'm also aware of price differences in the northeast and whether the car is CPO or not. I just still think these cars should be mid 40s by now??

MBSebas87

?

DerekACS

If you cast your eyes north across the Canadian border, you would find 2014-2016 E550s. You would also likely be able to purchase one for far less than in the USA, since the US dollar is worth about 37% more than the Canadian dollar.

For example, if you go to www.mercedes-benz.ca and look @ Certified Pre-owned Inventory for 2014-2016 E550 sedans, you would find four currently listed @ prices around CD$55,000 or about US$40,000.

Every single day, dozens of high end pre-owned Canadian cars are being exported to the USA, Mercedes being one of the more sought after brands for export.

Pntblnk

How difficult is the process of importing a Canadian car into the US? I assume there are emissions requirements and a few other specific updates that need to be made.

more_amg

I just got mine and I love it with airmatic, but the best part is definately Designo cardinal Red metallic paint.

DerekACS

Emission requirements for USA and Canada are identical. Look @ the website: www.ezbordercrossing.com for further information.

MBSebas87

Beautiful!

Pntblnk

Wow...just stunning. Congratulations and enjoy.