timdf

Well, I expected a poor trade in value for my '00 ML430 with 43,000 miles and I wasn't disappointed !

I went to the Audi dealer to test drive a 2003 Audi Allroad (very nice vehicle, high quality interior etc)was offered it at $1500 over invoice without any haggling - sofar so good !

They looked over my ML and called the local MB dealers - they'd only bid $24,000. I'd hoped for $26,000 ish. Seems the local MB dealers aren't interested in used ML's.

So much for MB's holding their value....

I'll either have to eat the 'cliff like' depreciation or sell it privately while it's still under warranty.

SteveB

You should be able to sell it yourself for $30,000, if it's in excellent shape.

SteveB

also, the trade in value of your 996 might depress you too, unfortunately.

timdf

I probably would be depressed by the trade in value of my 996 - but I'm not at that stage yet ;-)

FYI
Tried to trade our ML against another Audi allroad at a different dealer (where we bought it) - they only offered $23,000.

Not sure I'd what to deal with hassle of selling privately...

So change of plan - we're keeping it and supplementing it with an Audi TT which we'll either buy for cash outright or see what sort of lease we can get.

This way we each have a 'fun car' and can use the ML as a family vehicle and load lugger etc.

Tim

Radomir

Hehe.. I've been watching the value of my 00 430 spiral out of control too... basically, it makes no sense to get rid of it

BillM

Now that you have all the bugs worked out and fixed it would seem a shame to dump it. Now aren't you glad you went back to using premium gas.

timdf

Hi Bill,

Looks like we're destined to keep this fine vehicle a while longer ;-)

Might even do a few mods - like fitting it up with some headlights which have more than 10 candle power ;-) I really notice the difference at night between my 996 & ML.

Ironically it only has a few minor things that need fixing up right now - like noisy / rattley windows when down a few inches, loose rear back seat, F44 still blowing. Other than that it's been essentially trouble free for the past 10,000 miles and it's only been getting premium gas every 2nd tank - normally it gets 89 octane. So far so good - no signs of trouble !

I still have this hang-up about premium gas in none turbo engines - unless it's my 996 :-)))

I guess the TT will have to merit premium due to its turbo, but at 20+ mpg no big deal.

Maybe take some pictures later of our MB, Audi & Porsche along with the caption - spot the odd one out !

BillM

I really like the look of the TT. If I can be of any help with mods to your ML let me know. I have done lots of them. The Bi-Xenons are wonderful. Check my gallery on benzworld.org. Williams ML.

smc22

The reason for the depreciating value being so large is the fact of leasing. I am a pre-owned benz dealer and every month mb credit has 500-1,000 cars coming off lease at several auctions through out the country and that number keeps growing. therfore unless the car or truck has extreamley low miles per year your going to see very low trade in values until this changes. And it's not going to change until the residules go up and leasing get's less popular. The supply is out waying the demand by far.....
just go on autotrader.com type in your vehicle and you will see how many there are on the used market. So if you are going to sell it your self you better have an aggresive price on it.

Kar don

hey tim, look for a used set of ML55 lights. I scored on these. Check my installation thread.

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=30255

Radomir

Brian, that's interesting information... Of course, when I was buying mine.. there were only 3 for sale at MB dealers (I wanted a Starmarked one) in the 150 mile radius -- and I live in a fairly "urban" area (Charlotte)... two were way overpriced....

E. J.

I just bought my wife a demo 2003 ML500 without Xenons. It was too good a deal to pass up based on no Xenons. I would be interested in finding out how to convert at least the low beams to xenons. I have found a local supplier of a catz kit, but if there is a factory or close to factory way to make it work, I would appreciate any help. Feel free to email off the board not to waste bandwidth too if you like.

Much thanks,

E. J.

PS - I looked at AlBoston's thread about replacing them on his '99 car here , but our 2003 lights look very different and I don't want to lose that.

Thanks again.

j2nh

$25,000 for my 00 ml430 and $1,000 off sticker on a new ml500. 430 has 48,000 miles. No surprise. Dealer is also a BMW dealership so I'm going to see what we can work out for a X5 on Friday. On my way to drop it off to get the last of the Warranty items taken care of the alternator light kept coming on. Engine light is on steady (dealer said don't worry only emissons related). Consuming 1 qt oil per 750 miles, door locks quit working, and the drivers seat vertical adjustement is on its last legs. It's been a long strange trip with this vehicle and despite the loss I think it is time to move on.
Jim
00 ML 430
01 996

E. J.

My wife and I looked at the X5 before the ML500 and the prices are ridiculous. Almost 10k more for a comparable truck. And no deals at all.

No wonder BMW dealers have a reputation.

E. J.

BillM

E J. The Bi-xenons were not a conversion but, the actual OEM headlights from Mercedes made by Hella. They were completely plug and play. Took me less than 20 minutes.

Unfortunately they can not be adapted to your model year at this time. Has something to do with the AAM settings and dealers unwilling to help.

E. J.

Undeterred, I kept searching, and found one guy who has done it. Now I am wondering if the HID conversion that I just bought last night whould have gone towards the factory coversion using Performance Parts parts?

BenzWorld successful ML HID conversion post

Who would have thought it was a simple matter of switching some wires?

Thanks again,

E. J.

klrskir

I totalled a '99 ML430 with 41,800 miles in a flood situation last June. The actual cash value I received from the insurance company was $34,000. Keep in mind that this includes 6% PA sales tax.