Is the "right car" worth a premium

[deejaybee]

I am currently looking round for a W140 S 320. I have seen quite a few over the last few weeks in a variety of conditions at prices from <£2-5k.

Today i saw a 98 R-reg car which was in really nice condition with only 71,000 miles, good service history, well spec'ed and in a very nice colour combo of metalic black and cream leather interior. It is for sale privately at £3995 ono which under the current market conditions is on the high side. The owner doesn't want to drop the price much but I may be able to negotiate the price down a few hundred, but I reckon in the current market it isn't really worth more than about £3200.

Which ever way you look at it it is amazing value for money for such a quality car and I suspect it will be difficult to get a better example. I am thinking it may be worth paying a premium price for this if I can get it or I will be kicking myself later as I can't really see getting anything better.

Any thought or advice gratefully received before I commit myself!

Dave

 

[television]

That sounds good dave, but do not pay over the top as the market is still falling,,Yes I have paid top money for a super example, but do get it down a bit if you can.

They are so nice

 

[popuptoaster]

sod the market, if a car is worth it to you just buy it, if your umming and ahhing about it though i'm guessing your heart dont like it enough to over rule your head.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

I am currently looking round for a W140 S 320. I have seen quite a few over the last few weeks in a variety of conditions at prices from <£2-5k.

Today i saw a 98 R-reg car which was in really nice condition with only 71,000 miles, good service history, well spec'ed and in a very nice colour combo of metalic black and cream leather interior. It is for sale privately at £3995 ono which under the current market conditions is on the high side. The owner doesn't want to drop the price much but I may be able to negotiate the price down a few hundred, but I reckon in the current market it isn't really worth more than about £3200.

Which ever way you look at it it is amazing value for money for such a quality car and I suspect it will be difficult to get a better example. I am thinking it may be worth paying a premium price for this if I can get it or I will be kicking myself later as I can't really see getting anything better.

Any thought or advice gratefully received before I commit myself!

Dave

In March, I paid £5400 for mine. Same year as the one you are looking at, slightly lower mileage with FMBSH. It is a LWB Business Edition. It was a bargain in March (in 1998, it was £57K new) - so for what you are being asked for, sounds an even better bargain.

BE CAREFUL - owning an S-Class is a bug. You will find that anything else becomes a compromise

 

[bigyin1]

in answer to your question : Yes.

 

[television]

in answer to your question : Yes

Yes the forum is very sticky and slow these last few days causing one to double post

 

[dava]

This week I looked at a car, glasses book says £17450 top book, they have it up for £21900 it has a chipped bonnet and a scratch to the rear, the most they would drop is £900? Althought this for me was the right car I cannot see it being worth paying that much over.

 

[Geezer]

Yes the forum is very sticky and slow these last few days causing one to double post

Or triple even!

 

[television]

Or triple even!

Never seen a 4 post yet not to be confused with a 4 poster

 

[kth286]

with cheaper cars I would say go for it.

The £800 extra cost will seem irrelevant in a few years time. It wont even buy you a new central locking pump for one of those.

The "right" car can save you thousands over the years ahead.

 

[jibcl500]

Yes always, if the cars bang on then take it whilst its there. You will regret it if you dont.

jib

 

[deejaybee]

Now I have bought one!

Well, I'm not sure if I have disproved my point or if I have proved a different point!, but anyway I looked at several more cars today and have decided to but one of them (but not the one I was going to get).

The car in question is a '98 S-reg S320 in silver with blue interior. This colour combo would't have been my ideal choice but it works very well and the car is in such nice condition and the price almost unbelievable - £2900 with a new MOT and 6 months "warranty".

The car has been serviced and maintained by Mercland in N. London for the previous owner. They were very helpful in confirming their own service history (before that it has MB service history). The service manager came on while I was talking to the receptionist and said BUY IT! The previous owner was apparently very fussy and had everything done that was needed with genuine / quality parts. This is borne out by the condition and feel of the car - all the gadgets work, the tyres are all nearly new Continentals and it has a proper size high quality battery. It drives very well and the 320 engine is more than adequate in normal driving, in fact although it is slightly louder than a V8 when reved it is just as smooth and performance is quite spritly if reved over 4000rpm.

I am hoping to pick up the car early next week, so will let you all know how it goes and hopefully I can post some pics later in the week.

Dave

 

[television]

Congrats Dave and look forward to hearing more