BBG

So I have a black 2015 E400 with 10,500 miles. It has the P1, Panorama and the LED Lighting package. My needs have changed and need to make a financial decision.
Currently, I'm being offered $37,000 on a trade it for another brand. Does anyone have any idea what I can get for my car in a private sale? Car is in excellent condition and still has 3/40k years of original (not extended) warranty, which the dealer could care less about but I think that a private party will like that.
There's also a chance I'll have to put off the sale till March and I'll have about 15,000 miles by then. How much do you think I'll lose between now and March?

KEY08

Selling any car privately is such a pain in the _____. All of the tire kickers and low ballers come out. Whatever the car is worth today will probably be what it is worth in the spring. An extra 5,000 miles won't make any difference since those miles are ridiculously low to begin with. Are you stepping down to a cheaper car? Is that the motive for selling? Personally, I think the $37,000 offer is not bad. The E400 was not a very popular model and I think the sales were pretty slim.

rediesel

Does it have distronic?

BBG

While I love the biturbo 6, I'm in need of something that's more family friendly. Don't get me wrong the E can carry several car seats just fine, it's just that I need more utility, hence I'm thinking of a 4Runner. I am **** about cleanliness, and I'm getting tired of worrying about shoes on the seats, scuff and all that other kids stuff. I got a similar offer at 7000, so I think that you might be right about the speed of the depreciation.

apg231

Did a quick search of the Mercedes CPO website for E400's around me and found this:

https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/cpo/i...HF6HBXFB156530

Of course this is dealer pricing so your price may vary. As far a depreciation, I just bought a 2014 E550 with 21,000 miles on it in May of this year with every option except Distronic for $42,000. Sticker price on it was $73,605. So a $31,000 loss over three years, yeah I would take any offer you get in that $37-40 range

BBG

Sticker on my was $68,500 but not that it matters now. I don't have distronic. I'd love to get 40k but i've yet to receive such an offer from any dealer. It's pretty much paid off and at 10K miles it's pretty damn close to a new car. It's a tough call. There are disadvantages. My car is black and i spend about 1k/year to get it detailed by a master. I wouldn't be doing that with the 4Runner. Then there's the ongoing paranoia of scratches and kid damage in the interior. But I guess that can be minimized with proper precautions.
Either way, i'd be keeping a car for 5-10 years. It's not that I can't afford the repairs out of warranty, it's more about the utility aspect.

KEY08

Definitely, you should drive what you are comfortable with and that works the best for your situation. It sounds like that is an SUV. I don't ever see you getting $40K for this car, now or next spring. Mileage on a 3-4 year old car is not that important to most buyers. The age of the car is the most important factor and if it has been serviced regularly and has "normal" miles 12-15K per year it will sell. Lower miles on a family sedan is not like lower miles on a Lamborghini. People buy Mercedes Benz cars with 100,000 miles + all of the time because they are reliable enough to do that. I think you should cut your loses and take the $37K offer and pile the family into the new SUV and enjoy the time you had with your E400.

BBG

I'm leaning that way, but I'm just concerned I'll miss the MB ride quality. But hen again, i came from an ISF which was bumpy as hell.
My wife tells me that I'm nuts since she has a Q7 that's leased so we don't worry about the wear and tear that much.

KEY08

Hold on! You have a Q7 and you want to add a 4Runner too? Now I am confused, and agree with your wife. I would keep the E400. It actually is a bit of a unicorn with that Bi-turbo 6.
Just know that taking a 50% bath on these cars in 3 years is normal. It really is the norm.

rediesel

I think you should just keep the E400. You've already taken the biggest hit on depreciation. Don't worry about scratches and wear, just use it. These cars can take the abuse. Besides babying the car thus far hasn't gotten you any additional value, and probably won't in the future. Not driving/enjoying your car so it's nicer when you trade is like not boinking your girlfriend so her next boyfriend can enjoy her more.

KEY08

^ha! agreed. Stop saving it!

E250_92101

I once went from a pristine CL500 to a new VW CC thinking a new, more fuel efficient, more utilitarian car was the smart thing to do (I was trying to simplify my life and I was little scared of the hydraulic suspension failing one day on the CL500). Money had nothing to do with it. After the new car excitement wore off, I started missing having a Mercedes. Now my wife drives the VW CC which absolutely loves and I’m back to driving a Benz. There is nothing like going down the road in a solid, quality car. Drive the kids around in the Q7 as much you can and keep enjoying the E400!!!

BBG

What did you miss? And did you feel like you got those things back (worth it) when you got another MB?

E250_92101

Great question, but I'm struggling to put my answer into words. Any car will get you from point A to B. However, I tend to pay great attention to small details every time I drive: How does the door handle feel when you pull on it? What does a door sound like it when you close it? Do they feel solid? How do the materials feel in the cabin? How quiet is the cabin? Are there any rattles? How does the suspension sound and feel when you go over rougher road surfaces? What is the turn radius? How does the steering feel if you reach a limit and hold the wheel against the limit while still turning? How does the transmission feel? What kind of feedback do you get from various controls? How is the factory paint quality? How do the panels feel like when you polishing/waxing the car (i.e. sheet metal thickness)? Etc, etc, etc. To me, it's about how the car makes me feel. I can certainly make a phone call using a $20 plastic flip phone, but I prefer my iPhone because I can feel the built quality. I tried to rationalize and tell myself that I can drive an average car. Now, I know that I won't be happy driving anything of lesser quality than an E-class. I don't drive a Mercedes because I want to show off. I drive one because of the feeling or pleasure it gives me. It is not rational or smart (except from the safety perspective), but why not enjoy it while we are here! It took me driving a new VW CC for two years after a Mercedes to really know what I want and value. Is it possible that I'll switch brands in the future? Of course, but I know now not to waste my time with an average car again.

BTW, the CL500 was an amazing car at the time, but the E-class (being 10 years newer) gives me almost 100% of CL500 feeling. I do know that C-class would not give me that feeling after driving some loaners.

aquinob

You have taken a big hit in depreciation which is normal in these cars. It will still depreciate fairly rapidly over the next 4 years, whereas a new 4Runner probably wont depreciate as much over the same time period. But you will see probably 15-20k worth or more on either vehicle in another 5 years.

Me, I would keep the benz. Sounds like you really enjoy the car, but are paranoid with the kids. Here's an option, get some sort of beater SUV to ride the kids in and keep the E for just you and the wife. Even if you spend 10K on the beater, you will still be dollars ahead when its all said and done.