trade in value
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 317
Likes: 36
From: Nappanee Indiana
2026 E450
trade in value
depressing. just out of curiosity I decided to check online for what my trade in value would be. 96k car [not what I paid] is 'valued' on edmunds at 66k and kelly blue book at 57. unbelievable. not even 6 months old and amazing depreciation.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 949
Likes: 352
X214
Unless it is a private sale, and the seller and the buyer know each other, this is the lay of the land. Unfortunately.
These trade-in values are based on auction prices, as far as I know, which are of course pathetic.
These trade-in values are based on auction prices, as far as I know, which are of course pathetic.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 540
From: Philadelphia, PA (USA)
2025 E53 Hybrid
It could be worse. My 2023 EQS SUV EV went from $121K MSRP to $35K trade-in in just over two years.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,633
Likes: 520
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
Exactly why I'm looking for a gently used E450 wagon.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 971
Likes: 182
From: DFW, TX
2014 E350 Wagon, 2025 GLC 350e, 2026 E53 Wagon
If you're OK with taking what you can find, this is the power move.
Cars depreciate, new cars depreciate the most. Something as esoteric as a luxury wagon depreciates even more than your average car. If you plan to keep it for long term then it doesn't matter. If you want to only keep it for a few years, lease it and then you know exactly what the cost of owning the car for X period costs. With these cars there is no cheap lunch, you gotta pay to play.
Generally the worst thing that can happen is getting it totaled within the first year. The insurance will pay you the depreciated value but good luck finding one at that price with the configuration you had. More than likely you'll have to order a new one and start the depreciation game once again.
Cars depreciate, new cars depreciate the most. Something as esoteric as a luxury wagon depreciates even more than your average car. If you plan to keep it for long term then it doesn't matter. If you want to only keep it for a few years, lease it and then you know exactly what the cost of owning the car for X period costs. With these cars there is no cheap lunch, you gotta pay to play.
Generally the worst thing that can happen is getting it totaled within the first year. The insurance will pay you the depreciated value but good luck finding one at that price with the configuration you had. More than likely you'll have to order a new one and start the depreciation game once again.
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 971
Likes: 182
From: DFW, TX
2014 E350 Wagon, 2025 GLC 350e, 2026 E53 Wagon
We have something called GAP coverage, which is not the same. It basically covers the outstanding loan even if the vehicle is worth less. This is one of the primary benefits of lease or buying with no money down. If the car gets totaled within the first few years you're not losing massive amounts of money. I have not heard of any kind of insurance that would cover new replacement cost of a vehicle like you have.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 593
Likes: 233
From: Suburban Maryland
2023 E 450 Sedan. 2018 GLC 300. 2013 E 350 Coupe (retired)
Buying with no money down, you lose money by financing and you may owe more than the value of the car if totaled (early in ownership i imagine), and later in ownership you lose money as your insurance payment will likely be less than the total costs you have incurred. At least with leasing you know your costs, but you have little long term benefit unless you insist on only driving new cars. No free lunch!!
Last edited by smiles201; Jan 28, 2026 at 05:15 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 971
Likes: 182
From: DFW, TX
2014 E350 Wagon, 2025 GLC 350e, 2026 E53 Wagon
Buying with no money down, you lose money by financing and you may owe more than the value of the car if totaled (early in ownership i imagine), and later in ownership you lose money as your insurance payment will likely be less than the total costs you have incurred. At least with leasing you know your costs, but you have little long term benefit unless you insist on only driving new cars. No free lunch!!
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 48
Likes: 15
From: DC Area
2026 e350
I recently bought a new 2026 e350. I was looking at a 2024 S-Class with an original MSRP of 150K. 15K miles. The dealer was going to sell it to me for 68k. I was tempted, but I've never bought used (it was a leased vehicle). Generally in *some* cases, folks who lease a car may not take good care of it (or abuse it) because they have no real vested interest in it. I'm glad I didn't get it! But the point is, look at that depreciation....
