larkave

I currently have a 2002 E55 with approx. 19,000 miles. In order to trade it in for a new 2003 E55, I would need to write a check for $36,450, which includes tax, license, etc. This reflects a trade-in allowance of $50,000 and paying MSRP for the new 2003 E55, which is on the lot of the local dealer. Any thoughts or suggerstions would be appreciated.

Limited Edition 190E

Don't pay MSRP and sell your E55 to a private party.

hmrdwn

Sounds about right, but say you hold onto our car for another year and 12k more miles...you only lose maybe another $5-7k of depreciation at most.

I would drive the doors off of the W210 for another year or so and then trade or sell. At that point, it will have held value much better than other cars in its class, and you will have driven a very fine car for your money's worth. IMO.

eyc

That sounds pretty fair for your trade-in.

I'm in a similar boat I have a 2001 E55 and hmrdwn is right if you keep it for another year you are looking at no more than $7k depreciation.

But the real question is do you want to wait for an '04 and get the navigation.. if not I would jump on it.

Btw, which bay area dealer did you end up finding a car for MSRP at?

larkave

eyc: Beshoff

eyc

larkave

did you get the car? post some pics!
what options are on it and what is the color combo?

larkave

Still undecided. I am undecided as to whether the 2003 E55 is sufficiently better than my 2002 E55 to justify the cost of trading up at this time. I am also wondering whether it would be a better strategy to wait for a 2004 or later E55. Any thoughts or insights would be appreciated.

JohnAMG

I would wait for the mid-production upgrade model and take the plunge then. I bought my car almost 2 years ago and still impress with the performance. Granted it is not the 476 HP E55 but it is still a blast to drive it. Give yourself some time also because the new BMW M5 is just around the corner and you want to have more buying options, unless you have unlimited disposable income and willing to upgrade to a new model every year.

John

mikE55

I'm with JohnAMG. Unless you absolutely need to have the new E55 now, I'd wait. There have been articles in the Euro mags that strongly suggest a 500+ hp 6.3L NA version is on the way. I suspect we'll see it just as the new M5 is released in about a year or two. I've had my car for almost 2 years now and still LOVE it! I have no desire to get a W211 E55 at this time.

Archi

I'd wait as well. Your trade-in has been killed by the new chasis and your potential new car will get a years worth of depreciation once you drive it off the lot given the 04's are right around the corner.

woodie

I vote for keeping your car until next year. The loss when you drive the new E55 off the lot is too big right now.