[pearsth]

So, I was thinking of selling my E55 and went to Carmax today to get a quote and got some bad news.

I bought this car in 2007 from a local dealer with 45K miles on the clock. Today, it has 110,000 and I have had no mechanical issues with it except for the transmission control, which I replaced. It also had an oil leak at the sensor a while back that a I fixed.

Carfax (when I bought it), and now, says no accidents reported.

However, Carmax pointed out two problems:

1 - They said the car was in an accident before and they could tell. The rear trunk pan had been welded.

2 - The dealer I bought it from had marked the car title "not actual mileage". I had no idea that he did that as I financed the car and I don't recall seeing that on the title - I did check to make sure it didn't say salvaged. I have had the title to the car for a couple years and never really looked at it. It says that on my title as well. She said somebody could have accidentally checked the wrong box when registering it. I dunno. So I guess it could have for than 110k right now, but it sure drives great.

They made me a lowball offer that was disappointing. So, I am wondering what this forum might think the value would be selling it. Unlike many folks, when I sell something, I am 100% honest about it, so here is the good and bad about the car:

Good-
- Runs great, no issues at all with engine or trans from what I can tell driving.
- Very clean interior. No rips or tears, wood still nice and new looking.
- Recent (within 10K miles) drilled and slotted rotors and pads from Brakeperformance.com. I had the front bearings replaced at the same time.
- Recent Nitto tires. However, they are noisier than I would like. I bought these at 75k miles but only use them May - October. I have winter wheels and tires I use November - April.
- Black on black (at least my favorite color combo)
- I upgraded to an in-dash flip up Clarion Navigation radio. It has bluetooth and an iPod adapter. (I have the stock radio still.)
- I have always done maintenance on time. I do oil changes myself, but have recently had the transmission fluid and rear differential fluid changed by a local shop. I also had the serpentine belt and serpentine belt tensioner replaced
- I just had the rear catalytic converters replaced
- This might be good or bad to you, but I have a rear hitch on it. This was mainly used for a bike rack. I towed my dirt bike with the car twice, ever. Less than 1000 lbs for bike and trailer.

Bad -
- There are a few rust spots on it. On the trunk and under the door sills The only visible ones looking at the car are on the trunk. They are "bubbling", not rusted through.
- The outer b-pillars covers have rust on them, but I have a used set in great condition to replace them with. Just hadn't got around to it yet.
- The rear sunshade has a broken piece, so it doesn't function properly. I didn't care and never used it.
- The lumbar in the drivers seat sometimes gets flaky.
- The temperature display on the dash no longer shows anything.
- The gear selector display on the dash had 2 or three dead pixels on the top.
- Carmax said this was "bad", but I had the front end resprayed a year ago to fix all the highway chips. I think it is a good thing.
- They did point out that the hood latch on the passenger side was not working properly. I didn't know that until today.
- The drivers side passenger door has a couple parking lot type dings.

I was thinking of selling this online, being completely transparent and wanting to give somebody a good deal. I think the right person who would want a low cost E55 to either drive as is or do a little work on might be interested.

Any thoughts on a value for this?

Thanks,

Tom

 

[Supercharged SEC]

I'm guessing between $4k and $5k for a car with issues and questionable mileage. It may have 250,000 miles for all you know.

 

[pearsth]

So, I just dug out my paperwork. My Autocheck report from 2007 shows the same amount of miles I bought it for, WITHOUT any note that it is a problem. In fact, the history shows that in 2004, it had 12,090 miles on it, then in 2007, it had 45,017 miles on it, w/out being flagged. It was when the title tansfered to my lender that it got the inaccurate flag. Apparently somebody screwed up when title was being transferred around.

 

[Supercharged SEC]

What did they offer?

 

[fabbrisd1]

If you are asking the mechanical condition of a Chicago W210 E55 with the mileage you have described to private party in Chicago - probably $6K - assuming "clean original factor".

Assumes the AMG OE wheels are tidied up (you didn't mention wheel condition) and that you put the stock stereo back and it looks original.

I would to sell in the Chicago/Milwaukee market only...

 

[pearsth]

Carmax offered me 3500, which is awfully low to me.


Sent from my iPhone using AG Free

 

[2000 C280 Sport]

As sad as that sounds you have to remember you have lots of red flaggs on that car. So you have a car with unknown actual miles and has been hit. I would say sell it yourself or if you can maybe part it out. What are you looking to replace it with?

 

[pearsth]

So, I dug up my paperwork on the sale of the car to me. I have the official Illinois odometer statement signed by the dealer stating the miles are actual miles. and they exactly match what was on the title. This certainly was a typo somewhere along the way. I have to contact the DMV to get this straightened out and the record cleared.

The fact that the car was in a fender bender at one point is not a big deal. It was fixed properly and the frame is straight and true.

To the person who asked me what I am buying, I am getting a Honda Accord v6 EX-L. I know, I know, it is a real step down from the Merc, but I need a commuter car that gets at least 30MPG and the Accord fits the bill.

 

[fabbrisd1]

The DMV correction should be doable since you have paperwork in hand.

Put the original stereo back in - Craigslist's for the Clarion

Buyer see wheels 1st - and if your wheels have freh look a lot of other minor stuff will be forgine - check for a local mobile wheel service - "wholesale" wheel refinish and spray is $50 a wheel for a dealer.

Good luck !

 

[Strigoi]

I wouldn't go over $4,000 on one with a salvage title. Unless you get a title that shows it's not a salvage you're going to have a hard time getting a decent amount of it.

Salvage title cars are usually worth about half non-salvage ones.

 

[pearsth]

This is not a salvage title, a clear title that states "Not Actual Mileage". A quick google search shows that this is not uncommon. In some cases, it means dash components, including the odometer, were replaced. In the case of my car, it was a DMV clerical error I am having corrected.

I am going to spend a some $ reconditioning my car, then put it up for sale with all issues taken care of.

 

[pearsth]

A quick email to carfax and the problem is resolved. No more bad record on my carfax reports. Thanks for the input.

 

[2000 C280 Sport]

Post some pics so we can see it for ourselves. To be honest I am not 100% sure on value so it all come down to condition and what needs to be fixed on it.