Don't sell it! I'm keeping mine! 1998 S420 169712K. completely original with only engine work being oiler tubes and guides, both sides at 100K, Tchain was perfect. Proper maintenance on these baby's is the secret.
Having a hard time selling -- dont know what to do, Suggestions?
So I have a 1998 s420, single owner car, problem is as a salesman I put 100-200+ miles a day on it. Now its sitting at 262k miles. The car is in pretty much immaculate shape, I've done a lot of work on it, new timing chain, top end rebuilt at 200k, new tranny at 150k.
The best damn offer I've gotten is 2k. People just shy away from it due to the mileage.
Any idea's what I can do, I think 4k should be fair, but all I get are a bunch of people offering me 1000-2000 for it because of the mileage. I mean even at 4k thats almost 50% of low blue book!
The best damn offer I've gotten is 2k. People just shy away from it due to the mileage.
Any idea's what I can do, I think 4k should be fair, but all I get are a bunch of people offering me 1000-2000 for it because of the mileage. I mean even at 4k thats almost 50% of low blue book!
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Hey, LT. Remember that the economy is really soft right now, even new cars are heavily discounted, which further suppresses use car values.
Moreover, the 140 wasn't exactly regarded as a trouble-free car, so it's not just the mileage.
One thing you could do is offer the new owner a drivetrain warranty for six months or something with a price cap on the offer as well. (Something along the lines of "if something fails in the drivetrain within six months, the parties will share the cost of the repairs, but in no case will the seller be responsible for more than $1,000 of the cost of any and all repairs during the 6 month period"). That way it gives them some assurance you're serious about it being a good, reliable car, but limits both your exposure as well as the buyer's.
However, even in this soft market that may not be enough of an inducement.
Did you post it in the FST forum? And BTW, please click the user CP link and complete your profile with location and cars, that's often useful information. If someone is near you and sees the post they might either come take a look or suggest it to others. Fans of these cars tend to congregate in the forums, eh?
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
Moreover, the 140 wasn't exactly regarded as a trouble-free car, so it's not just the mileage.
One thing you could do is offer the new owner a drivetrain warranty for six months or something with a price cap on the offer as well. (Something along the lines of "if something fails in the drivetrain within six months, the parties will share the cost of the repairs, but in no case will the seller be responsible for more than $1,000 of the cost of any and all repairs during the 6 month period"). That way it gives them some assurance you're serious about it being a good, reliable car, but limits both your exposure as well as the buyer's.
However, even in this soft market that may not be enough of an inducement.
Did you post it in the FST forum? And BTW, please click the user CP link and complete your profile with location and cars, that's often useful information. If someone is near you and sees the post they might either come take a look or suggest it to others. Fans of these cars tend to congregate in the forums, eh?
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
Dude, it's a miser's market. Keep your car and let then find something else to get for $2k. There are plenty of 1989 Honda Accords out there - all they want to do is flip your ride for a quick gain. Where are you advertising your car to attract such vultures?So I have a 1998 s420, single owner car, problem is as a salesman I put 100-200+ miles a day on it. Now its sitting at 262k miles. The car is in pretty much immaculate shape, I've done a lot of work on it, new timing chain, top end rebuilt at 200k, new tranny at 150k.
The best damn offer I've gotten is 2k. People just shy away from it due to the mileage.
Any idea's what I can do, I think 4k should be fair, but all I get are a bunch of people offering me 1000-2000 for it because of the mileage. I mean even at 4k thats almost 50% of low blue book!
At $2k, you'd be making money if you parted the car out. There's a gotta be a mechanic out there who would want yours for at least $3k.
Don't forget that the uber-mileage W126's go for $3k-$5k, so there's no reason why you should sell out to a miser.
Bottom line: If they want a $2k car, tell them to LOWER THEIR EXPECTATIONS and LOOK ELSEWHERE!!! Don't waste your time with those people. Anyone buying a high-mileage W140 is someone who's either had one before or really, really wants one.
High mileage will always be a drawback. In a bad economy, it's going to be even more of a negative factor. The gas mileage that these cars get is also not a plus in your favor. If you really want to sell the car, you're probably going to have to settle for less than you really want for it. I recently sold a BMW 740 IL with 225,000 miles. It was in excellent shape and was always well maintained. But, I ended up selling it for less than I wanted. After getting low ball after low ball offer, I finally sold it to the buyer who was closest to what I wanted. Good luck. But, be prepared to take less.
well, you said it, the best offer you got is 2K, so no matter what you ask, even 100K, the car will be only see at the best offer you have recieved.
I know the car worth more than that, but, thats the market...
what you need to do is sit down and calculate what are the cons vs pro of selling the car for 2K. if you HAVE to get rid of the car for one reason or another... otherwise, park it for few month until someone comes by and pay what its worth... or the market gets better. or better yet, drive it untill it breaks, then junk it and collect 300 bucks for it... truth of the matter is, if you buy ANY car today, it will depreciate by more than 2K in the next... say 6 month (the number I am throwing out there that you ll be driving your W140 until it breaks...)
the market it crap... so its up to you to wait or let go... there is no correct opinion when it comes to this...
as far as parting out, many members here assume that its the best way to make money out of a W140 is to part it... truth is, thats not the case, taking a car apart in a neat form that allows re-selling the parts is not easy, marketing the parts is not easy, managing the logistics of a vehicle as heavy as W140 is not easy, there is a lots of overhead that comes with parting... location, garage, neighbors, time, tools, recycling the junk left, tax filing... its not even funny...
I know the car worth more than that, but, thats the market...
what you need to do is sit down and calculate what are the cons vs pro of selling the car for 2K. if you HAVE to get rid of the car for one reason or another... otherwise, park it for few month until someone comes by and pay what its worth... or the market gets better. or better yet, drive it untill it breaks, then junk it and collect 300 bucks for it... truth of the matter is, if you buy ANY car today, it will depreciate by more than 2K in the next... say 6 month (the number I am throwing out there that you ll be driving your W140 until it breaks...)
the market it crap... so its up to you to wait or let go... there is no correct opinion when it comes to this...
as far as parting out, many members here assume that its the best way to make money out of a W140 is to part it... truth is, thats not the case, taking a car apart in a neat form that allows re-selling the parts is not easy, marketing the parts is not easy, managing the logistics of a vehicle as heavy as W140 is not easy, there is a lots of overhead that comes with parting... location, garage, neighbors, time, tools, recycling the junk left, tax filing... its not even funny...
Your in sales? What do you sell?
keep her if you have put that much in it =)
keep her if you have put that much in it =)
I'll just put it out there that I'm surprised a one owner car is not getting higher offers. What about offering it through the local MB club, club members might want to pay a bit more for a car thats got really good history etc. I've seen how long it takes new members here to find a decent W140 I'm sure many of them would pay a premium to get a car they know has been well cared for.
I need another one
Pic please
Pic please
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