What's a reasonable price to pay?

[bigboymod]

Looking for E320CDI today on Autotrader and ebay. Not much on ebay at the minute that took my interest but a couple on Autotrader that look OK.

However, having looked at www.wisebuyers.co.uk it seems that everyone has over-valued their vehicles asking price by thousands!

Traders and private sellers seem to be £500 - £1000 more than Parkers guide (no change there then), so obviously some bartering could bring that down to within Parkers estimate.
However, wisebuyers average price is £3000. Surely it's not even worth viewing these cars and making an offer of £3500-£4000! They'd just laugh in my face!
How does wisebuyers reach their estimates, and what is a reasonable price to pay for a loaded E320CDI with between 80,000 and 110,000mls?

I was happy to pay up to £5000 for a tidy example - now feel I'm being ripped off if I do!!!

 

[kirkyboy]

just bought an 02 plate avantgarde 320 cdi 99k fsh etc £6500
i was very happy with that. As 7 years ago they were 40k to buy, you will not be disapointed. iam not

 

[Alex M Grieve]

However, having looked at www.wisebuyers.co.uk it seems that everyone has over-valued their vehicles asking price by thousands

I was out for a trundle this afternoon. Popped into our local dealership for a browse round. They had a W220 same age as mine, higher mileage on at £16,900 - exactly what I would expect in the current market for a car on sale at a dealership (preparation, warranties, etc).

Having read your note, I ran my data through the wisebuyers engine and it suggested £13,000 for the same car (it also suggested that 30,000 was par mileage for a 4 year old car).

I have tended to use What Car, Parkers and Glass's guides in the past. I have noted wide discrepancies, especially for unusual models such as the hybrids that can occur around model changes (outgoing bodywork but with new model engines).

I think the best you can do is search several sources then be guided by your personal choice. After all, each car is unique and you will know your reasons for choosing the one you are about to buy. It is more of an art than a science IMHO, but researching info like this should prevent you getting stitched up too badly.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Hi,
Great engine and the dealers know it. The residuals are holding up really well on the E320CDis without stellar mileage. I just love the versatility of my estate, sports car performance when you want it (albeit in a straight line), frugal and caverrnous when used for loading carrying. Just strpped out all the carpets from the upstairs and hall and landing of the house, rolled them up, loaded them in the estate and dropped them off at the tip. How versatile is that!

Buy the best one you can and the premium is reallly worth it.

I wouldn't let mine go for less than £10K as i like it so much.

Hope this helps!

ps. make sure you get the best spec you can.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

I was happy to pay up to £5000 for a tidy example - now feel I'm being ripped off if I do!!!

Hi again,

As others have suggested, it is not just a question of reading the price off the chart, although that is what dealers tend to do if you offer them a car in part exchange.

During the better weather, I stopped off at a dealership when out putting amps in my SL battery - just window shopping, no intention of buying anything. I had just washed it and it was looking the business. I stopped to chat with a salesman and during the conversation casually mentioned the huge variation in SL prices.

He readily volunteered that he could see 2 cars of the same age and mileage and would value one at twice the price of the other, depending on condition, maintenance and presentation.

I think it is these things that matter when you are choosing and people who have taken good care of their cars might reasonably seek a better price. They will always be handicapped by the price guides, however.

So the answer is that a fair price is what you, using your knowledge, skill and judgement are prepeared to pay. Unfortunately, human nature kicks in and this is when you are most vulnerable. It is good to take a friend with you - preferably someone knowledgeable, ideally someone cynical - who has no emotional overlay in the process.

Good luck - we would love to hear how you get on, including final choice and pics, if poss.

 

[television]

The other fly in the ointment is that many private people have not accepted the price crash that is on going.
In the general market private buys have always been cheaper the from dealers, to allow for the risk factor.

 

[bigboymod]

Viewed a nice one this afternoon. 2002 320CDI Avantgarde. Lovely colour (Travertin Beige) with a less-than-practical light grey (almost cream) interior. Extras included electric drivers seat only, towbar and rear seats. No climate control, sunroof or sat nav. No apparent rust round door seals that I could feel. Paint flaking off front lower spoiler. Otherwise very tidy. Tracking needs adjustment as sterring wheel not aligned when driving in a straight line. Low mileage with full MB dealer history. Won't budge on £6495.
(Just looked at website again and he's put the price up to £6995!!!!)

Is it worth £6495??? I love it, although the kids will get the upholstery dirty quick!!

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Hi,
Looks nice. Whats the mileage? From the photo it looks like its running on AMG alloys (expensive if genuine) so I'm not surprised the seller wants £6.5K for an 02 car. As regards the interior, is it leather (better wearing re children)? My car is full spec barring COMAND and I had to search 6 months to find it, climate, leather, sunroof, seven seats and electric seats are really worth the time and effort.

 

[bigboymod]

80,000mls. MOT and tax due in May. Full leather.

How much are the AMG alloys worth then? They look great, but it's not the most important thing!

 

[simon winn]

I would say just be careful as these cars are not bullet proof and are expensive when they go wrong. I bought mine with fsh last year for 5k which was quite cheap then for a clean 01 320 cdi esate with leather and 7 seats, 100k on clock but no rust AND needed a b service. Since then money spent:

550 - b service
850 - injectors
400 - gearbox oil leak, elec pack
200 - new key!
500 - duovalve, thermostat & fan resistor
500 - odds and sods

before you know it an expensive car. Never been so unlucky with a car so buy a car with loads of bills!!

 

[bigboymod]

Fully stamped book, but no extra invoices for any work carried out.

I'm doubting why the stereo has been changed for a tacky looking IMO Kenwood CD player with a seperate dongle for bluetooth. Kinda ruins the otherwise unhampered look, and makes me think it's a bit too pricey.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

The AMG alloys are about £300-400 a wheel and the tyres tend to be a bit pricey as well. Check the ride befire you buy as the 18 ins wheels make for quite a hard ride, so not to some peoples tastes. The 16 ins wheels and Avantgarde suspension set-up on mine are hard enough for me. Aesthetically the AMG wheels are really nice but you will feel every undulation in the road.

Over the last four years my 320CDi has cost me: (other than service items)

EIS @ 45K = 400
injectors @ 62K = 900
glow plugs @ 64K = 150

Another point of interest is that the Goodyear NCT5 tyres have performed exceptionally well and have covered 30K with about 10K life left in them.