M-Class (W163) Produced 1998-2005: ML 230, ML 320, ML 350, ML 400 CDI, ML 430, ML 500, ML 270 CDI

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Old Mar 31, 2017 | 03:38 PM
  #1  
Ezale's Avatar
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Lexus Gs350 Ls400
Value?

Good friend of mines is selling a 1998 Ml320 with 144k. Only downside is the car hasn't been driven within a few years due to limp mode. The battery is completely dead and it's sitting on two flats. The body is overall clean for a Midwest vehicle, interior could use a cleaning. Biggest question is how much to offer and what risks will I be taking for a vehicle that has been sitting this long 2 years-ish.
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Old Mar 31, 2017 | 03:54 PM
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DrX
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From: Brisbane, Australia
2002 ML320, 2003 A160
Offer him the full asking price. If he's that good a friend, he won't want to rip you off by taking more than he was prepared to sell it for.

Lowballing him will only damage your friendship. He's going to feel bad enough when he sees you enjoying his old ML, especially when you tell him how much you spent to get it going properly.

The main risk is that he lost a key and didn't replace it. New remote fob keys are currently out of stock in the USA. Car is limited to 8 keys over its lifetime - when you lose the 8th key, it will cost $700 minimum to fix it properly.

Last edited by DrX; Mar 31, 2017 at 03:59 PM.
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Old Mar 31, 2017 | 04:22 PM
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Lexus Gs350 Ls400
Well, the problem is he said offer for what I feel it's worth which puts me in a awkward position. No, I don't want to low ball, but I also don't want a money pit vehicle. He has a few other cars like this for sale. He won't care about seeing that car running since he will be moving out of the country soon, liquidating old family assets. His top vehicles he care about is a 89 countach and testarosa. With that being said, I still want to offer something within good reason

Originally Posted by DrX
Offer him the full asking price. If he's that good a friend, he won't want to rip you off by taking more than he was prepared to sell it for.

Lowballing him will only damage your friendship. He's going to feel bad enough when he sees you enjoying his old ML, especially when you tell him how much you spent to get it going properly.

The main risk is that he lost a key and didn't replace it. New remote fob keys are currently out of stock in the USA. Car is limited to 8 keys over its lifetime - when you lose the 8th key, it will cost $700 minimum to fix it properly.

Last edited by Ezale; Mar 31, 2017 at 04:25 PM.
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Old Mar 31, 2017 | 05:04 PM
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DrX
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From: Brisbane, Australia
2002 ML320, 2003 A160
It's worth nothing right now. It doesn't go. It's occupying space in his garage. He doesn't want to fix it or drive it.

Put the ball back in his court. Ask him what he wants for it.

Otherwise look up KBB and NADA and offer the low end of the range, or lower if you have to spend money making it go.
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