SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: A question about SL55 value?
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SL55 AMG
A question about SL55 value?
I have a 2004 SL55 AMG that I inherited from my dad with about 80-90k miles on the odometer. However, I will unfortunately have to sell the car since it is too expensive for me to keep, and I am currently restoring my daily driver as well.
I sent the car to a "trusted" shop and apparently if I sell it as is, the mechanic says I would only be able to get it for 3,000 bucks or something of the like. However, I strongly doubt that is true because we bought it for $25,000 about 2 years ago, and Tavarish on Youtube got the same car, cheapest in the country in poor shape for 9,000 bucks. From what I can find online, the car was 120-130k new, and not even a 2004 Toyota sienna sells for 3,000 bucks. The three main problems that don't work are the roof which will not lower into convertible form, a recent failed suspension system in the rear, and door locks that do not work properly (they have to be manually locked and unlocked). Everything else works fine, with the interior and exterior in very good condition overall and the drivetrain in excellent condition. The engine alone in the car is worth like 4-5k based on Ebay searches and the car has upgraded AMG wheels from a newer model that should be something like 500 dollars each. I was hoping to originally sell the car for 8,000-12,000 as is if I were to not go through with the repairs.
Altogether it seems to me that the mechanic is not telling the truth, or maybe I'm in the wrong.
What do you all think about this situation? Any advice is appreciated, thanks
I sent the car to a "trusted" shop and apparently if I sell it as is, the mechanic says I would only be able to get it for 3,000 bucks or something of the like. However, I strongly doubt that is true because we bought it for $25,000 about 2 years ago, and Tavarish on Youtube got the same car, cheapest in the country in poor shape for 9,000 bucks. From what I can find online, the car was 120-130k new, and not even a 2004 Toyota sienna sells for 3,000 bucks. The three main problems that don't work are the roof which will not lower into convertible form, a recent failed suspension system in the rear, and door locks that do not work properly (they have to be manually locked and unlocked). Everything else works fine, with the interior and exterior in very good condition overall and the drivetrain in excellent condition. The engine alone in the car is worth like 4-5k based on Ebay searches and the car has upgraded AMG wheels from a newer model that should be something like 500 dollars each. I was hoping to originally sell the car for 8,000-12,000 as is if I were to not go through with the repairs.
Altogether it seems to me that the mechanic is not telling the truth, or maybe I'm in the wrong.
What do you all think about this situation? Any advice is appreciated, thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Considering the car needs major repair, it's not worth as much as you think, but 3k is too low. It's worth more in parts than complete, yes, but consider the car needs several thousand dollars in repairs to make it drivable when looking at the value. Better off fixing it if you plan to sell it for a high price.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 541
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From: Northern VA
SL 600
Where are you located? I recently serviced my ABC suspension system and convertible roof system so i might be able to help give you a second opinion if you were local to DC. 3K is too low, chances are that mechanic wants to buy that car from you and fix it up and sell it.
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SL55 AMG
Considering the car needs major repair, it's not worth as much as you think, but 3k is too low. It's worth more in parts than complete, yes, but consider the car needs several thousand dollars in repairs to make it drivable when looking at the value. Better off fixing it if you plan to sell it for a high price.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2018
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SL55 AMG
Where are you located? I recently serviced my ABC suspension system and convertible roof system so i might be able to help give you a second opinion if you were local to DC. 3K is too low, chances are that mechanic wants to buy that car from you and fix it up and sell it.
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing... seems to me that he wants to get it for cheap so he can make a profit.
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SL55 AMG
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Super Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 541
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From: Northern VA
SL 600
I actually live in Alexandria, but work in Herndon. Is the car driveable? Bring it to my shop i'll take a look at it for you, i work at my brother's car service center.
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
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From: SoCal
2005 SL55, 2003 Dodge Viper, 2006 Lotus Exige
I'm no expert, but the mechanic is closer to the value than you are. In CA, a 04 with 85,000 miles without issues is a $12k-15k car. If the repairs are around $7K, than your around $5k-$7k. If the plan is to buy, fix and sell or buy fix drive, than you need a little discount to make it worth your time.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
sl55
I have a 03 SL55 with 72K miles Clean car with no issues and had the ABC serviced and pump replaced. Has been parked for two years I took it in for the B service both batteries a vacuum pump to lock and unlock door valve cover gaskets changed and belts all for about $3800. I asked the MB dealer for a bid and was told $7K because My was a Lemon law buy back. I've owned the car for over 9 years and it is a garage queen and only had maintenance issues so no real problems but really? This is all original car.
7K
I put it for sale for 19k and have been offer 10k to 15K This is with 3 sets of rims and new tires.
So I'm thinking I should drive it as much as I can since this will not be a collectors car or go up in value with low miles.
So should I
A just drive it since it will not go up in value with low miles or
B put it back in the garage and hope it goes up in value?
or
C just dump it to the highest bidder?
Just asking what the forum thinks?
7K
I put it for sale for 19k and have been offer 10k to 15K This is with 3 sets of rims and new tires.
So I'm thinking I should drive it as much as I can since this will not be a collectors car or go up in value with low miles.
So should I
A just drive it since it will not go up in value with low miles or
B put it back in the garage and hope it goes up in value?
or
C just dump it to the highest bidder?
Just asking what the forum thinks?
Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 160
Likes: 32
2005 SL55 Completely Built Motor
I have a 03 SL55 with 72K miles Clean car with no issues and had the ABC serviced and pump replaced. Has been parked for two years I took it in for the B service both batteries a vacuum pump to lock and unlock door valve cover gaskets changed and belts all for about $3800. I asked the MB dealer for a bid and was told $7K because My was a Lemon law buy back. I've owned the car for over 9 years and it is a garage queen and only had maintenance issues so no real problems but really? This is all original car.
7K
I put it for sale for 19k and have been offer 10k to 15K This is with 3 sets of rims and new tires.
So I'm thinking I should drive it as much as I can since this will not be a collectors car or go up in value with low miles.
So should I
A just drive it since it will not go up in value with low miles or
B put it back in the garage and hope it goes up in value?
or
C just dump it to the highest bidder?
Just asking what the forum thinks?
7K
I put it for sale for 19k and have been offer 10k to 15K This is with 3 sets of rims and new tires.
So I'm thinking I should drive it as much as I can since this will not be a collectors car or go up in value with low miles.
So should I
A just drive it since it will not go up in value with low miles or
B put it back in the garage and hope it goes up in value?
or
C just dump it to the highest bidder?
Just asking what the forum thinks?
I doubt these cars will go up in value much. I do think for the most part the 2003 to 2006 have bottom out and 2007 to 2008 aren't far behind. Basically, if someone buys a 2005 for 20K-22K with 55K in miles they can probably drive it for a few years and sell it with 75K-80K for not much less than they bought it for.
I feel overall the these cars offer a hell of a lot of car for the money right now.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
SL555 ///AMG
i seen a salvage title 03-05 SL55 in the bay area ca for about $9k with 100k miles. 03-06 bottom out on prices for sure depending on miles and how well its kept 12k-28k and the last 2 years 07-08 low production and revised ABC system depending on miles ,package,mods around 26k-45k fix it yourself and save some $ if you know what you are doing. Good Luck with it!
