I had previously ordered a 2003 E500 Sport for delivery after Jan 1st to avoid the disappearing luxury tax. Yesterday I get a call from the dealer saying my car was in. I was told if I wanted it they would absorb the luxury tax, but I had to take delivery now, and they wouldn't hold it till Jan. 2nd. I planned on trading in my 2000 e55. I get to the dealership and see the new car. Its very nice, but I am not in love with it since the rear seat room is definately smaller than the old e class. I wait to have my e55 appraised and then meet with the salesman. I am presented with a handwritten page with all kinds of numbers and am told I would owe $31,500 with my trade in, and the price included a reduction of $700 something for the luxury tax. It also indicated they were crediting me $33,000 for the e55.

My e55 is silver with a black/black interior. It has all options (including a factory phone)except for the navigation, 38,000 miles, and is in very clean condition. It was purchased new at this dealership for list price of $73,000 and serviced by them. I was told it is very hard to sell an e55 if it has over 15,000 miles.

First of all I was aware the luxury tax on the new e is more like $1,200, and was annoyed that they were trying to mislead me on this. Second, my research in the newspaper over the last several months found several e55s being offered for around $50,000. Edmunds lists a 2000 e55 at $42,000 for a dealer trade-in, and $49,000 for retail. After much haggeling I told them I would only do the deal if I got at least $40,000 for the trade in. They refused and I left. At least there are several other MB dealerships in this area I can go to for another car. Anyway, do any of you have any thoughts on how reliable Edmunds is for pricing?

 

Smart thing walking out you have nothing to lose.

 

why don't you wait for couple of years and buy the E55( mid-production) By then the W211 will be tweaked to perfection. It looks like the dealer is taking you for a ride and probably because they believed you want the new E500 badly. Think about it, is the new car worth losing that much money for? I wouldn't do it if it was me. Plus, I wouldn't go from an AMG to a regular E-class. It should be the other way around!!! The new E500 will not come close in performance comparing to our E55s.

John

 

RESPONSE:
I'm in northern VA, and for 9 months have been waiting/watching for price talk on a 2000 e55 to hit the levels where they currently seem to be - that is, 20 to 30,000 miles for +/- $47k. When I saw the 2002 e55 trade on ebay with 16,000 miles for $52k, that to me was confirmation that 2000's and '01's with reasonably low miles would find a price level of mid- to high-$40's... and by the way the ebay seller, Mark Starr at Hunting Ridge Motors, deals with very clean cars [I bought my wife's Range Rover from him just 2 years ago - direct, before he began selling on ebay].

The pricing that edmund's is indicating is in line with my personal expectations, given my observations... but remember, I'm currently on the buy-side of the equation!

Best of luck with the trade - you absolutely did the right thing by walking... I wouldn't take less than $42k for the trade-in (slightly high milage) - but depends how close to discount you are getting the 500 for.

 

There is NO question you did the only reasonable thing in walking away.
$33K??
What an insult.
They were assuming they had you totally hooked on the E500.
Smart move.

 

Hey there. I am in No. VA. and visited my local dealer to discuss placing an order for w211 e55 earlier today! I have a 2002 e55 with about 4500 miles, and would love to sell it/trade it as the delivery of the new car approaches, and would certainly welcome the opportunity to avoid bathing too deeply in the first years depreciation. Comments from anybody with insight into what i might expect in this situation, or an interest in my silver, with COMMAND, and obviously meticulously pampered beast, are most welcome.

 

New W210E55's have gone for as low as $61-63K.
With 4500 miles you'll be looking at something in the $50's, low to mid 50's most likely.
3 years ago things were different (much better for resale).
Good luck.

 

Thats's what I am afraid of. Certainly makes Kleeman more applealing...

 

Claudio - I agree 100% with amg55. saw a 2002 with milage in the mid-teens about 6 weeks ago [very clean car; no NAV] go for about $53m.

If you can take the time to sell it yourself, I would expect you could find somebody willing to pay a premium for the ultra-low milage, say $55-$56m.

Personally, I'm trying to get into a 2000 or 2001 with under 20,000 miles for $47-$49m.