Saw my order today. Car is slated for build 7/20/06 w/ tentative delivery between 8/20 - 8/30. Can't wait.

What have you guys done w/ your previous transportation? Trade in vs private sale? I know private sale yields more money but not sure if it is worth the hassle. E-bay, Autotrader, CarMax? Any opinions welcome.

I have a 2003 Topaz Blue M3 w/ aftermarket exhaust, wheels, stereo, XM radio, hardwired V1, 40K miles. I know none of that stuff matters for trade in, but may help w/ private sale. KBB says between 28-33K for trade in. What would an MB dealer try to give me? Private sale is probably 5K more. Let me know what you guys think and tell me of some of your experiences. Thanks.

 

Good news on your E63; can't help you with an opinion on the rest.

 

Well, most dealers use Galves (some NADA) to appraise tradeins. Galves is always lower than KBB or Edmunds.

So, just keep that in mind when the dealer puts a # on your car.

Also, if you're buying the E63........you have to take tax savings into consideration also.

If you trade the car in, hopefully you still have some or all of the oem parts that came on the M3. You could simply sell the aftermarket parts on the net.

 

Can you explain? What tax savings?

If the car sells for $90k most will have to pay $90k worth of tax. For DC it is 7% or $6,300 for that $90k car. Very few states have taxes on the balance after trade-in. Does NY do that?

 

In Illinois you are only responsible for paying tax on the difference between the new car and the trade in. In essence you are receiving 7% more then what they are giving you.