New member joined for advice on selling my dear old mums sl

[adave]

Hi all as title i need some advice on pricing/current market for my mums 2005 350 sl which she has owned since 2008 but unfortunately has now been medically struck off from driving.
I started to advertise a few weeks back at 13.250k which was good value compared to what else was on offer and have now had it reduced to 12.5k for a week on autotrader and other places.As yet i have not even had an enquiry.
It still seems well priced within the current market.
Is the market slow for these at the moment or do i need to re price for what they actually sell for rather than just what people have them advertised for.
Sorry if this starts with me asking question in wrong part of forum.
Any advice and then tips on how to advertise on here would be most welcome as we need to sell this and purchase a vehicle with mobility aids.
Hopefully autotrader link attached for people to view for advice.
Dave

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

R230’s can have a bit of a reputation for being expensive. Being a 350 it’s generally a lot cheaper to run and yours looks like a nice example.
Prices are all over at the moment and price of fuel isn’t helping sell fun cars as people are getting a bit more cautious

 

[SL63 Mark]

Price wise, it's a tricky one. Yours is low mileage (41,000), but there are an awful lot of sub £10k R230 SL350s for sale, and quite a few are sub £5k. Yours falls into that kind of no-mans land and people will be asking why would I pay a premium ? Money is tight at this level, and people want maximum bang for their buck, so I think what the market is telling you, it is overpriced.

 

[Trev1964]

I really like that. Fancied one for ages. As I've had an eye open for quite a while, I've got to agree, it's pricy.
At the right price, it will stand out as one of the best ones for sale at correct money.
I've owned an slk350 and to be honest I can see that is where money will end up again.

 

[sausage]

Sorry to hear about the medical decision.

I bought my SL350 last summer. I was surprised how long adverts for some SL350 persisted on Autotrader with some adverts being renewed month after month. Discussion on this forum has suggested that high petrol prices are slowing the market for cars with larger engines, and also that a % of the population have moved away to electric. I imagine both factors can slow the sale process down a little, but hang in there because it is the kind of car that will usually find a buyer. It is also a 3.7 rather than the 3.5 SL350s and some people actively want the 3.7 due to the reputation of having a strong engine. It looks like a nice condition car, and has the panoramic roof which some people also really want to have, it was an expensive optional extra IIRC.

I think the thing to do is to ensure you have priced it correctly with the other similar cars, age/condition/miles, service history. If the service history is good, you might want to emphasise it a little more in the advert. I would only ever buy a car that had a full history.

@Trev1964 IMO a SL and SLK are a bit like comparing a TT and an R8. All are great cars, but some are 'greater' that others. I'd say get an SL ;-) or at least try taking one for a test drive. My dad had a couple of SLK and the SL is a very different experience - again, just my opinion.

 

[Blobcat]

@Trev1964 IMO a SL and SLK are a bit like comparing a TT and an R8. All are great cars, but some are 'greater' that others. I'd say get an SL ;-) or at least try taking one for a test drive. My dad had a couple of SLK and the SL is a very different experience - again, just my opinion.

If you're going to daily it get an SLK, if not get an SL - they are a very different drive - especially with working ABC

 

[Mr Badger]

I'd add a fresh MOT on completion of the sale.

 

[JBell]

Gorgeous car BUT I think you are £3k over priced having a quick look in AT even with that low mileage

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

 

[Mr Greedy]

Gorgeous car BUT I think you are £3k over priced having a quick look in AT even with that low mileage

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

One the face of it I would rather save £3-4k and get the black one you have listed, rather than the OP's silver one at £12k.

The price increase doesn't reflect the mileage decrease. Both are low miles in my book.

Now, it the OP's car was only £1k more, then it might shift quickly.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Good time to sell seasonally but you will need to be patient regarding the price and the right person will come along it certainly looks from the photos to be in top condition. I’d certainly be interested if I was in the market for such a niche car it’s one of those rare opportunities

 

[adave]

Hi all,thank you all for your prompt replies and taking everything in that you are saying.
I didn`t even think being fully convertible that the pan roof was an extra i just thought that is how they were.Exactly has been said it does feel like a bit of a no mans land one so does make it difficult because again as said i personally depending on available budget would spend less on one with bit more mileage,however usually there is someone out there always hunting for the lowest miles.
I did not mention anything about new m.o.t purely because in my head if someone wants it and is wanting the new m.o.t they will ask at point of sale to have one put on it?
The market for them must just be slow for all the obvious reasons at the moment,i just don`t want to murder it out as need to maximise what i can going forward for mum.
Just can`t believe i haven`t even had a stupid offer?
Also on the colour thing i think the silver is great as does not show the dirt like other colours.I had a black cayenne recently and every morning it looked dirty.
Again many thanks.
P.S- Is there a classifieds section on this forum?

 

[Blobcat]

Hi all,thank you all for your prompt replies and taking everything in that you are saying.
I didn`t even think being fully convertible that the pan roof was an extra i just thought that is how they were.Exactly has been said it does feel like a bit of a no mans land one so does make it difficult because again as said i personally depending on available budget would spend less on one with bit more mileage,however usually there is someone out there always hunting for the lowest miles.
I did not mention anything about new m.o.t purely because in my head if someone wants it and is wanting the new m.o.t they will ask at point of sale to have one put on it?
The market for them must just be slow for all the obvious reasons at the moment,i just don`t want to murder it out as need to maximise what i can going forward for mum.
Just can`t believe i haven`t even had a stupid offer?
Also on the colour thing i think the silver is great as does not show the dirt like other colours.I had a black cayenne recently and every morning it looked dirty.
Again many thanks.
P.S- Is there a classifieds section on this forum?

Yes...

https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?forums/mercedes-car-classifieds.114/

 

[BPD07]

Hi, looks a very tidy well spec’d car, but it’s got a short MOT - for £25 (or whatever deal you can find) it’s got to be worth it. Silver is a common colour, but you cannot change that. I’d also photograph the history folder and present it as well in the photos. For info, I bought a 66k 350 with a panoramic roof for £7k from a dealer in February of this year.

 

[adave]

Hi all
Updated auto trader link if allowed.
Forum will not let me post on classifieds as yet.
Dave

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

 

[SL63 Mark]

For info, I bought a 66k 350 with a panoramic roof for £7k from a dealer in February of this year.

That’s the sort of money I’d be looking for.

 

[Trev1964]

That’s the sort of money I’d be looking for.

I was thinking between £7k and £7.5k myself.
Feels pricy at it's advertised price.

 

[Mr Greedy]

Even if you pay £50 for an MOT, is it not worth a new MOT right now, and offer a new MOT available for the buyer?
At your higher price, that's £50 extra well spent (as you say, you are expecting one MOT anyway).

At this higher price, if the condition is immaculate, cosmetic and mechanical, and has a raft of receipts and loads of main dealer or (preferably for me) independent Merc specialist servicing, to get the higher price you are playing a waiting game looking for a fastidious buyer who will want to know this sort of information. Get it all in the advert.

If you are looking for a quicker sale, price is key. Only you can decide which is the right scenario for your circumstances.
You might find if you drop the price nearer the lower end, you start getting inundated by the tyre kickers offer £1k or asking 'what's your best price to take it tomorrow for cash bud?'

 

[grayb]

Seems to have been sold! I hope that the OP got something they were happy with...

 

[Trev1964]

Would love to know..

 

[5w155t0ny]

Would love to know..

Don't hold your breath. it appears he only joined for the sage advice about selling the car.