selling

[sean sherry]

There is another 280SL "82 listed in Carsales so I called the owner to see what response he had. Same as me , time wasters or people wanting something for nothing. I'm now starting to fully understand the comments and advice from this Forum. I was also surprised to see that there are literally thousands of Mercedes of all types and years for sale online. A large choice for buyers. ...............

Patience is a virtue.................. Sean

 

[Styria]

Sean, it is the second part of your post that is spot-on. Mercedes are one of the worst car models as far as the second hand car market is concerned. We are not talking quality of offerings etrc. etc. Just look at the crowded segment between three thousand and, say twelve thousand dollars. It is frightening, especially if you're trying to sell a 'bread and butter' car - there are literally hundreds to choose from, and they are fantastic value from a buyer's point of view. I mean, it is just ridiculous.

As has been stated probably thousands of times, just about most can afford a used Mercedes - to buy. However, can you afford to keep it ? That's the big question. Furthermore, it ain't gonna get any better - the new cars of today (Mercedes) are going to join the second hand brigade three years down the track, and because new cars are selling so well, (Mercedes, that is) there is just going to be a glut of used Mercedes that very few people will want to buy second hand. Sure, you will get the odd exception to this conandrum, and I am thinking of the cars that Helmet sells, that will fetch good money, but that part is all about relativity and personal persona. That's right, persona. Regards Styria

 

[sean sherry]

Thanks for your input Styria, you are right, gone are the days when Mercedes held their value. Hopefully the problems with our C Class GLI are behind us as selling it in a couple of years time and buying new again will just repeat the cycle of write downs. Being in the Trade I can keep the costs of maintenance and parts in the future at a minimum.
I'm starting to think that I'll have to accept my losses and take what I can get for the SL. Fortunately the money is not an issue , but storing it does not appeal to me either.........
Sean

 

[BenzBoy]

Hmmm ... If I were to offer $X000 would you smile or shoot me?
Regards,
Brian

 

[sean sherry]

No Brain, you won't be shot. The days of the irate Father with a shot gun wedding are over. Both my Daughters got Married first and told their Parents afterwards !
And not a divorce in sight. Yet !......
Sean

 

[6.9forever]

Speaking of maintenance costs, I am very pleased, as I just collected the C250CGI from having its B service at 79,000km and the cost was, as quoted $330 all up, courtesy of Darren at Northern Volks on the Sunshine Coast. He is an independent with 27 years experience in German makes.

Compared with $750 quoted at MB Sunshine Coast and $895 at MB Brisbane for the SAME thing, how free and easy with your money (or gullible) would you have to be?

So I missed out on a nice coffee, a walk around the show room and a few brochures, but close to $1,000 for an oil change is, as Clarkson would say, "absolute rubbish".

True value and I feel good about supporting a smaller operation that does what it says on the tin.

Good luck with the 280SL, Sean.

 

[Oversize]

I have a mate who's been trying to sell a few cars via Ebay and all I can say is people's values have dropped like the price of ALL used cars! Some don't turn up and couldn't be bothered to call and say they can't make it. Wasting hours of your time. Some kick the tires and change their minds, or they'll be downright rude and insulting! I swear the world has gone completely mad....

 

[Oversize]

BTW I don't think MB help themselves as far as used values are concerned. Reliability can be an issue from the W140 up (particularly those with bio wiring) and the cost of parts and servicing is almost criminal. OEM and aftermarket stuff is very hard to find and the manuals even more so. When you consider all that, I'm surprized they sell so many new cars....

 

[sean sherry]

Mark you are on the right track.

Number one........ manners maketh the man !

Two....... The chickens "will " come home to roost for Mercedes

But how long will it take some people to wake up and not be afraid to seek out an independent Specialist ? To protect my warranty they cry. Rubbish !

Mercedes in Sydney charge out labour is $197/Hr.
VW is $150/Hr.
The price they ask for Parts does not bear thinking about.

Well, we cannot protect People from themselves , like our Teenagers they learn the hard way. But we weren't like that where we ?

Sean