SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: R230 DEPRECIATION: SL500 vs. 55 vs. 600 vs. 65
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Lost Wages, NV
2001 Lorinser Edition CL600 (SOLD)
R230 DEPRECIATION: SL500 vs. 55 vs. 600 vs. 65
I am looking into moving out of a 2001 CL600 and into a newer ('04-'05) R230. Since I'm going to lease, RESIDUAL VALUE is of utmost importance. I mean, c'mon people, they all LOOK THE SAME, so, other than performance, in simple terms, what's going to hold its value the best after 2-3 years?
1) 500 is least expensive, so would it be safe to assume it will take the least hit - or - would it be worse because it is the most mass-produced out of all the R230s?
2) 55: Safe to assume it has less production than the 500 and better value retention after a couple years? Is it still true that having that AMG badge commands better resale overall?
3) 600: Historically huge depreciation because of the V12, but is that still the case? Again, does the 55 wins hands down in terms of resale value, in this case, over the 600?
4) Ah, the stellar 65: Dealers tout as very LIMITED PRODUCTION, and, as such, will hold its value for some time (it is an AMG, after all), but I question whether that will really mean anything in 2-3 years. Dealers obviously won't put that language in the sales contract. This should be a real concern because of the $180K+ price tag and potential wide spread between it and the residual value at the end of a lease, per se! Why would someone who has that kind of discretionary cash want to pay top dollar for a used one when it's nothing for him to buy new? Do you think the old adage will apply here: "The bigger they are, the harder they fall"?
And to make matters more confusing, here's something else that throws a monkey wrench into the resale equation:
The purported imminent late '05-'06 front-end re-design/ SLK/SLR-lookalike facelift issue. If it's going to be coming out that soon, all these cars will take a DUMP just based on the fact that everyone will want to be in on the latest look in SL "fashion".
Help!
1) 500 is least expensive, so would it be safe to assume it will take the least hit - or - would it be worse because it is the most mass-produced out of all the R230s?
2) 55: Safe to assume it has less production than the 500 and better value retention after a couple years? Is it still true that having that AMG badge commands better resale overall?
3) 600: Historically huge depreciation because of the V12, but is that still the case? Again, does the 55 wins hands down in terms of resale value, in this case, over the 600?
4) Ah, the stellar 65: Dealers tout as very LIMITED PRODUCTION, and, as such, will hold its value for some time (it is an AMG, after all), but I question whether that will really mean anything in 2-3 years. Dealers obviously won't put that language in the sales contract. This should be a real concern because of the $180K+ price tag and potential wide spread between it and the residual value at the end of a lease, per se! Why would someone who has that kind of discretionary cash want to pay top dollar for a used one when it's nothing for him to buy new? Do you think the old adage will apply here: "The bigger they are, the harder they fall"?
And to make matters more confusing, here's something else that throws a monkey wrench into the resale equation:
The purported imminent late '05-'06 front-end re-design/ SLK/SLR-lookalike facelift issue. If it's going to be coming out that soon, all these cars will take a DUMP just based on the fact that everyone will want to be in on the latest look in SL "fashion".
Help!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Chicago, IL
W215 CL600
I would say the 55 would be the smart choice. While not as rare as the 65, it is rare enough to hold it's value (in terms of percentage) better then the 500 or 600 (in my opinion).
On a similar note, our dealership here in St. Louis, MO (Tri Star Imports) just sold an SL65 which had an MSRP of $200k (they were asking $220k but I was told that they would sell at MSRP). Beautiful car, inside & out.
They also have a CL65 on the showroom floor if you might be interested in staying in the same class. :v
On a similar note, our dealership here in St. Louis, MO (Tri Star Imports) just sold an SL65 which had an MSRP of $200k (they were asking $220k but I was told that they would sell at MSRP). Beautiful car, inside & out.
They also have a CL65 on the showroom floor if you might be interested in staying in the same class. :v
