We no longer have need of two vehicles so we're considering trading them both in for a new ML. Our current vehicles are:

2011 C350 (loaded), 30 000 km
2012 ML350 (loaded), 45 000 km

I'd appreciate advice from anyone who has experience with trade ins. I'm not sure what to expect in terms of trade in value. I expect that there's some equity in the C (i.e. it's worth more than we owe), but the ML might be a draw.

 

What exactly are you trying to get in to for the "new" ML? Are both of your cars leased?

 

Both are financed, but not paid off.

I'd like to get a ML550 with all the bells and whistles.

 

Fair enough...

Before you continue with trying to make this decision... I'd see if your dealer can locate a ML550 with your desired options OR if they're able to still find you a slot for a custom order. My business partner in California tried to order an ML550 last week and nearly all the dealers local to them are out of 550 build slots and the ones on the lots are all boring builds.

Remember, the ML550 will no longer be produced starting in 2015 due to the new ML400 (twin turbo V6).

You stand to lose more money from the C350 in near term since the next generation will be released here in the US shortly. I'm not sure your time frame but here is what I would do if I had a bit of equity in each car:

1). Sell the C350 privately or to the same dealer you'll be working with depending on price they offer you.
2). If you have to order an ML550, drive the ML350 until the new one arrives and either private sale it or trade it in.
3). If you're upside down on your trades... try to work the dealer for at least 9% off MSRP. You should, depending on how nuts you get with your build, be able to get at least 9% off MSRP.

Be careful when trading in two cars that aren't paid off for one because the dealer could easily work the numbers to capitalize on you. Dealers make a great deal more on used cars than new especially if they know they can turn both of your cars in to CPO vehicles and flip them.

MB has a TON of C-Class and E-Class cars coming off lease in the next 6 months to a year that their inventory across North America is skyrocketing. Starting this month... MBUSA has started offering free prepaid maintenance for (3) years on any CPO'd vehicle just to help move out the growing inventory.

Anyway! You have a lot to take in to consideration when trying to move two cars in to one...

 

the guys are right on with ordering allocation and ml400 so if you going to do it, do it now and in the scheme of things if you are off a grand or two whats it really matter, peace of mind, ease of business, good report with dealership, get what you want and don't look back is worth leaving a g or 2 on the table considering the amount of dollars you are working with. I Love my 13 ml550, rocket ship, I get 21 mpg on highway at 75-78mph around town its less but fun as hell to drive. If you can swing it, Go for the AMG ml63, even used because it is just pure joy and one bad rideeeeee with everything just about standard plus bigger breaks . Good luck and just do it.

 

Agreed. I don't expect to be cleaning up on the trade ins but I also don't want to give them away. Ultimately, if I can get out of my vehicles and into a 550 for what I'm paying or less then I'll be happy. Thanks.

 

Trade both in for ML63 !

when all said and done the ML550 with all the bells and whistle will cost more then an ML63

 

Nah... no way... As much as I wanted ML63, there's no way I could make it even close to the price of ML550 I ordered. I got almost all you can put on it, and it's still more than 10K more, and that's for just the basic build, with a lot of options missing from what I have on ML550. When I built ML63 with all I ordered for ML550..... we're talking BIG difference.

 

Agreed. Here, I'd be looking at almost a $20k difference between the ML550 and ML63. Also, the sportier ML63 would be largely impractical for me during our heavy snow winters.