DK021

Went to my local dealer today to inquire about trading my 2004 S55 in on a used 06 CLS55. Get this - they offered me $68,000! I almost ______! My car is black/black, 17k miles, keyless go, phone, etc... and in excellent shape.

Is it me or does that number sound ridiculously low? KBB has it at approx. $76,500 trade-in. Any thoughts? And there offering me $2000 off sticker on a used CLS55 with 7300 miles on it - whoopie!

Ducman

You should have handed them a KY Jelly and bent over while you're at it. They're out there to screw everyone.

sprink49

I think most of these dealers are predators!!

ajf1

That is probably right, if you would like to check call a couple of dealers and ask if they want to buy your car outright see what number they offer you. You have to face the fact that your car is losing value fast, there is a new body style out now. Back in march I had a client who wanted to trade in a 04 s55 with every option and only 3k miles, he couldnt get an offer higher than 85k, we called several dealers. Don't trust kelly blue book they don't know their heads from their asses, they are always thousands off. I dont know why people always get bent out of shape on trade ins, you are asking the dealer to give you all the money your car is worth, what is he supposed to do with the car know? Sell it for how much, should he lose money on that? Remember they are in business to make money, you can't have your cake and eat it to. Your best bet is to have a realistic idea (call several dealers and get a qoute, not kbb) of what the car is worth when you go to visit the dealer and then you can determine if he is trying to screw you.

ajf1

Oh I didn't read the whole thing, the price on the cls 55 sucks, you can get a brand new car for $1000 off msrp, I know of a used silver/charcoal cls 55 with PARKTRONIC, LIGHTING PACKAGE, PREMIUM, TRUNK CLOSER, KEYLESS GO, 3M BRA, 360 MILES, TITLED, MSRP was $96,885, COST is $92,500.

IanSL55

I agree. The S class is already one of MB's lowest volume sellers and unfortunately, with the new body style coming out it will be that much harder to move the car. Dealerships are in business to make money - that's just the nature of the beast. When they buy a car they take on a measured amount of risk which is factored into what they can offer you. I know it sucks but when we buy into these types of cars we have to expect some serious depreciation.

~ Ian

absent

Well,asking prices for '03 S600 with similar miles as yours are in the 60s.
$68k in trade is not bad,realistically,still hurts though....

PAUL M

I went through the same shock a while ago when I wanted to upgrade my 01 s55. I couldnt believe it.I decided to just keep my car.Low Miles excellent shape still fast.Frig them!!

asg

Why are you going from a S55 to a CLS? Personally I don't like the CLS.

To make you feel better my 2002 S55 was only worth half of what I paid for it when I traded it in 6 months ago.

They did give me a pretty good deal on my new one.

Taximan1

$70.5k is wholesale for that car. Figure a couple thousand to re-condition the car,service,detail,etc (thats assuming tires/brakes are in 70% or better condition, which they probably are not)... $68k isnt that far off... It hurts I know, been there, dont that many times..

jago1244

isnt that about 50-55% off msrp? not too bad for 3yr old car.
and its gonna get worse with w221 out now.
i've been sniffing at a few 2003+ s500's and think they can come down more soon also.
either way, good luck.

jl88

If you want to sell a used car, get a baseline quote from Carmax. IMO they are pretty fair in assessing the wholesale value.

or

Check on ebay. Search for your model/year. Take the buy-it-now prices from other dealers and minus 10-15%. That's approximately how much they bought it for.

Used car dealers (typically) are trying to profit from your ignorance and/or laziness to find the best value for your trade-in.

You can try a private party sale, but from my experience, a car that's not "hot" plus anything that's considered expensive is hard to sell private party. I've been through it many times and each time, it's a huge pain in the ***. People will buy a $2,000 piece of crap, no questions asked, but when it comes to an expensive car, they have unreasonable expectations.

KBB is complete trash. I wonder why they still exist.

vladsf

from S to CLS?????

DK021

We'll I Did It. Traded The S55 In On A Used 06 Cls55. In Feb. The Mercedes Dealer Was Giving Me $68k. Two Months Later A Luxury Pre-owned Dealer Gave Me $70k. I Guess The Car Went Up In Value? (ha! Ha!) Just Shows That Benz Dealers Will Try To Get You Coming And Going! The S55 Was Great Car, But Time To Move On. Love The Cls55! Great Handling And The Exhaust Note Is Awesome! I Will Probably Buy Another S Class Amg. Probably The S63 Once It Is Out And You Can Pick Up A Used One At Some Type Of Discount.

BUTCHEN

I just bought my 2003 S55 with 11,000 original miles for 69K so you did alright at 68...

DK021

They Gave Me 70k Trade-in!

2K6E55

You did well on your trade, my neighbor paid $67K for his 03 w/23K miles.