AF Weatherman

Hi all. I have had my SL400 for just over a year. We live in southern Virginia, but we're moving to Colorado, so thinking we will need a more winter friendly car (GLC43 or GLC63 maybe). Our SL is a creampuff, always garaged, regular dealer maintenance, etc. It is loaded with the exception of the Magic Sky. It has 70,820 miles on it, but it looks more like 35k. I'm looking for advice on pricing Active Body Control. KBB does not seem to have the ABC as an option, so I don't know how to value it. It seems like an enthusiast would value it, but a neophyte wouldn't know the difference. Thoughts?

Streamliner

Beautiful car! ABC is “THE” very best option one can get on the R231 SL’s. In my opinion, it completely transforms the car from a so-so driving/riding car into a SPECTACULAR one. Unfortunately, so few folks have ever experienced ABC in an R231, almost nobody will be looking for the option. Good luck.

AF Weatherman

Thanks, Streamliner. When I bought it, I didn't know about ABC. I won the option lottery by chance, but now that I know, I will look for it on future MBs.

rmorin49

There is little demand for the R231 but dedicated buyers are out there. There are so few that audtion places like Mannheim rarely see them. You can use KBB and NAPA to see what the "book" values are in your area. The big depreciation hit occurs in the first 3 years after that the decline are more moderate.

I used KBB and the Private Party value is $30 -$35k and the trade in value is $29 -$32K. I didn't see ABC listed as an option. Perhaps becaue it is so rare.

We love our SL400 and if it stays reliable we will keep it for several more years.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Consider a set of really good winter tires. I don't know your circumstances, but I would get something like a Honda CR-V for winter driving and keep the SL, if that is your concern. An AMG GLC kinda counters your "reasoning" since you are not going to use that kind of power in the snow, SUV or not.

Now, if you are moving to some place in Colorado that doesn't know how to spell "Mercedes", you definitely want the Honda.

AF Weatherman

Jetta - We definitely considered the snow tire option, but we're moving to the mountains at 9,000+ feet. Winter there is long and snowy and the car will be used to get to trails, slopes, and crags. Keeping the SL for three or four months of the year where we would actually drive it is not practical.

SteveL1

I don’t think an SL has ever been considered “practical”. Unless you really need to sell it for financial reasons, I would take it with you to Colorado and enjoy the 3-4 months that you can with the top down. The only cost of keeping it would be insurance.

ThatsMyDawg

When I looked at the low value of my SL during peak covid and those new car shortages I just shook my head. I looked again over the last 3 months and SMH again. I have almost every option and the value was pathetic, however I do drive a lot and have high miles. I love my car, but was thinking about jumping in a facelift model at one point. Not anymore though. When I traded in my Caddie coupe a few years ago they gave me like 25k I think it was. Super low miles on that though like 33k miles. My SL aint no place in the ballpark, city or state of a 25k trade in. lol. Its cool though, I do love the SL so..

rorywquin

You could also possibly have it “off the road" when not in use (winter) & save on tax and insurance.