[Van's benz]

Hi there, I'm new to the Mercedes forum, but thought I'd try it as a venue to sell my car...

It's a beautiful, wonderful car, but of course, it requires a special buyer to understand how a 10 year old car has more value than, say, a new Chevy Aveo.

I'm hoping this forum will have some exposure to people that "get" Mercedes! So, here goes:

It's a '98 4-matic that's black over tan leather with the burl walnut trim. It has 106k miles (for 3 years I was commuting 90 miles per day on the highway). It comes with snow tires on the E class rims and summer tires on S class rims. I have all documentation, including the window sticker and all maintenance records. The car has never been smoked in, eaten in or had any beverage other than water consumed in it (much to my wife's annoyance, I'm a little anal about that...)

I bought this car 4 years ago from the original owner, the proverbial little old lady, with the intention of keeping it forever. My plan (goal) was to put 300,000 miles on it and then let my son drive it as his first car (he’s 3 now – so that would be 2020). Of course, the only thing predictable in life is that nothing is predictable… due to some recent changes, I’m now offering this car for sale.

Because I intended to keep the car for the long haul, I’ve been absolutely fastidious with the maintenance and upkeep. For example, the check engine light recently came on. The shop told me 2 of the 4 oxygen sensors needed to be replaced, but I opted to replace all 4 – surely the remaining 2 would need replacement before long.

Not only have I followed all of the recommended maintenance procedures, but I’ve gone beyond that to keep the car in as-close-to-new condition. For example, in just the last year, I’ve done the following: new summer tires; replaced the rear shocks and front struts; replaced the front wheel bearings (since it was all taken apart, it seemed like a good idea while doing the struts); new brake pads and rotors all around; performed an engine tune-up which includes new spark plugs, air cleaner, fuel filter and serpentine belt; replaced A/C condenser, receiver dryer and a new refrigerant charge; replaced the particulate and activated charcoal cabin filters and replaced all four oxygen sensors plus the air flow sensor.

This car needs nothing and will provide a new owner with many, many trouble-free and pleasurable miles. It's located in Hyde Park, NY (about 75 miles north of NYC) and is, of course, available for personal inspection or for inspection by a mechanic.

My asking price is $11,000 - at the top end of KBB's, Edmond's & NADA's valuation for an excellent private party sale - but again, I reiterate, this car is nicer than any other 100k mile/10 year old car you'll find! And, in the last year, I've done several thousand bucks worth of preventative maintenance - work you don't have to do!

Send me a PM or email if you have any questions or if you want to see more pictures - and don't send me a low ball offer... I've had several people do that, but I'm not that desperate to sell the car.