Cost-Benefit analysis
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 5
From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
Cost-Benefit analysis
Hello Friends,
I have an E320, purchased 4 months ago, certifed pre-owned, and for which I purchased an additional 12 months (MB aka Starmark) warranty. It had 53k miles on it when I bought it, and now has 58k. I therefore have 20 months and 42k worth of warranty remaining.
My questions/concerns regarding preservation of capital are as follows:
1) Should I make full use of the warranty coverage, and put the 42k on the car during the next 20 months?
2) Try to keep the mileage on the auto down so that it will be worth more as a trade-in? BTW, if used as a trade to a dealer, the warranty is immediately nullified. I own 2 other cars, so this would not be a problem.
3) Plan on selling it to a private party, at some point during the warranty period, to which the warranty is transferable?
It's not that I dislike the car, I just like to keep an eye on the used car market, and would love to have an AMG or something with a bit more torque and HP.
Thanks in advance for any feedback,
Musikmann
I have an E320, purchased 4 months ago, certifed pre-owned, and for which I purchased an additional 12 months (MB aka Starmark) warranty. It had 53k miles on it when I bought it, and now has 58k. I therefore have 20 months and 42k worth of warranty remaining.
My questions/concerns regarding preservation of capital are as follows:
1) Should I make full use of the warranty coverage, and put the 42k on the car during the next 20 months?
2) Try to keep the mileage on the auto down so that it will be worth more as a trade-in? BTW, if used as a trade to a dealer, the warranty is immediately nullified. I own 2 other cars, so this would not be a problem.
3) Plan on selling it to a private party, at some point during the warranty period, to which the warranty is transferable?
It's not that I dislike the car, I just like to keep an eye on the used car market, and would love to have an AMG or something with a bit more torque and HP.
Thanks in advance for any feedback,
Musikmann
Last edited by Musikmann; Oct 22, 2006 at 08:39 PM. Reason: adding to message
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 404
Likes: 1
From: Albany, NY
2014 C300, sport, black/black
Not answering your question directly, but just drive the car everywhere you want and don't worry about it. Have fun with it. When you go to sell the car there will be little difference between the price you get for fretting and babying it all that time vs driving it everywhere and not worrying about it. That in itself is worth a few bucks. 
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 5
From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
shorthair
Not answering your question directly, but just drive the car everywhere you want and don't worry about it. Have fun with it. When you go to sell the car there will be little difference between the price you get for fretting and babying it all that time vs driving it everywhere and not worrying about it. That in itself is worth a few bucks.
I see your signature says "all US options" too. That is true with my beast as well, at least everything except the illuminted door sills. The phone is not working at the moment, but my next upgrade is going to be the MB Blue Tooth adapter and a BT capable phone.
My primary concern is this: I have been looking at the used MB market for a long time and have observed the following:
1) The mileage on these seem to be the primary determing factor for the resale value.
2) Very few people put more than 15k per year on their cars, at least on the ones that I see for sale.
Anyway, enough with my penny-pinching neurosis. I'm going to enjoy driving the car, and to Hell with what it's worth when I sell/trade it!
Cheers,
Musikmann
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 9,815
Likes: 13
John Deere
You may end up driving another 42k and end up having no reason to use the warranty. [me stifling a belly laugh] Well, it is possible.
On the other hand, the mileage will kill the resale for sure.
On the other hand, the mileage will kill the resale for sure.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 5
From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
RBrenton
I think I know from personal observation, that the re-sale value also drops precipitously at 100,000. I think that's largely an american mindset, because a german guy I know told me that the 125k I had on my last MB (98 E430) should be no problem.
I felt pretty good about that until the AC started failing (tech found a leaky compressor for sure, maybe more). I decided immediately, that I wasn't pouring any more money into that car. When I traded for the E320, the wholsale value was less than $10,000 and a year earlier I had paid $12,900, only drove another 7k plus I had put some more money into the car.
Live and learn I guess,
Musikmann
Last edited by Musikmann; Oct 25, 2006 at 04:43 PM. Reason: adding to message
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 5
From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
shorthair
I looked at the Mikbox option for a 98 E430, and at the time, they didn't have anything to help me. I haven't looked their way again, and have decided to just go the "puck route". Just for the heck of it though, I'll check their website, and go through my options for this auto set-up.
I'm glad your system is doing the job for you.
Musikmann
Last edited by Musikmann; Oct 25, 2006 at 04:47 PM. Reason: adding to message
