AIR COND & FMBSH

[RAY ROHRBACH]

How important is AC and a full MB service history to potential MB purchasers and upholding strong resale value - in particular relating to E220 or E320 Convertibles?

 

[Andy]

Hi Ray,

Most people want the best of both worlds when buying a vehicle. So it dosn't matter, if you are selling or buying. The thing which I have found is that the vehicle is worth the same whether it has AC or not, or a FMBSH, or not. It will always be easier to sell a vehicle with FMBSH. But I doubt you will command a higher price. The main thing is that it has a FSH. That everything is filled in properly in the service book. Especially invoice numbers. What the history should mean. Is that you should be able to return to the servicing garage and obtain all invoices relating to that vehicle. Any reputable garage, which has embraced technology. Buy which I mean are issuing computer produced invoices, will by law have to keep these records for a number of years. Thereby you should be able to retrace an records,(presuming you know which garage carried out the work),and fully check the service history. With regards to AC, every body wants it NOW. But nobody except the more well off and the people with insight, would pay for it then. Now every body wants it either in older vehicles or in brand new corsa's.

What I am trying to say. If a customer came to me after asking after a convertable, one of the first things they stipulate is leather. The next is AC.(Although I not quite sure why people like leather. It burns your bum in the summer, and freezes you in the winter, but still!?!?!?!?)

With regard to service history it is imperative with these vehicles that they are looked after by some body who knows these vehicles. Ie MB, OR a specialist with some standing. And there are plenty across the country. I say a specialist. If you compare the cost of servicing & repairs over period of years, compared to the price including the depriciation of your vehicle to what it will be worth when you come to selling the vehicle, then I doubt the sums will add up to keeping a FMBSH. Although it has come to my attention, especially down South. That the MB dealers are only interested in younger vehicles anyway?

To finish of AC is always a good bet. Get a good specialist to look after your vehicle.

Regards
Andy @www.mercedesservicing.com

PS, For any body else reading this, I would welcolme you thoughts!

 

[Guy]

I agree with Andy - its not so much that you will get a better price, but you will find more potential buyers. Those E cabriolets are like hen´s teeth anyway now, aren´t they? Certainly until Oct or November!

 

[Matt Crooke]

Following on from Andy's post he is right what he says about dealers down south. I live in Basildon in good old Essex, one of the closest dealers to me is Lancaster Lakeside. If your prized MB is 4 years old or more they have a club called Marque 4. if you join this you get slightly cheaper servicing and repairs etc, its free to join. the only trouble from what i gather you end up getting the YTS trainee mechanic to fix your snapped timing chain rather than the guy with all the experience!!!

And from a punters point of view, when buying any prestigious car, Merc, BMW etc a full service history, especially dealer service, usually swings the purchase that way. As for the the AC situation, its lovely to have it in a car, however a) do we really get the weather for it enough? b) with our lovely V6's and v8's can we afford the petrol to have it switched on!!!!!