Can Modifications Held Hold the Value of Your Car?

[Baron_Samedi]

Now, I appreciate that racing stripes and those oh so cool Lexus lights are more likely to reduce the value of a car than anything, but...

Am I deluding myself by thinking that adding a Comand system to a car not so endowed would make it more appealling than a vehicle without?

Or... would the say £750 fitting cost be better saved toward another car?

Just wondering whether mods can slow the depreciation of vehicle.

 

[markmifsud]

for a new MB owner I think having COMAND is something you would want, I know when I was buying mine I looked at the specs and counted COMAND as a plus, but having used the system now, if I was to buy a second MB I wouldnt be bothered if it came without as I would put a pioneer touch screen double din in place anyway

 

[Shude]

Factory-style mods will at most raise the value of the car to match those already fitted with the options and will almost definitely make the car more desirable to a buyer.

COMAND is a classic example of an addition that if without the car might be a struggle to shift (S/CL models especially).

 

[Baron_Samedi]

Interesting points gentlemen.

I bought my car because I fell in love with it at first sight and only later did I realise how lacking it was

Still love it to bits though!

 

[wemorgan]

With so many people having sat navs these days I personally feel that Command is not as desirable as it once was. I also doubt that it will add £750 of value to your car. But if you want, buy it. Then when you sell the car, sell the Command separately.

 

[Baron_Samedi]

Another interesting view

I could offer the car with and without the system.

 

[grober]

Fundamental specification e.g. trim level, power plant and paint colour/finish are the things that sell cars IMHO. Modifications should be primarily something you do to enhance your own ownership of the car. Any increase in sale-ability is merely a potential but not certain bonus come trade-in/sell time. The motor trade likes originality. A base spec model with lots of tasteful mods will still be a base model to them. A knowledgeable private buyer like some of our forum members might however feel differently.

 

[Mr E]

I think it would be fair to say that mods/options rarely add to the value of the car, but can help sell it.

In the MB world, the only option that seems to matter is auto (lack of which does seem to affect the price), followed by COMAND.

 

[Baron_Samedi]

Eeek!

I think that I should restrain my temptation to change things then.

My car is about as basic as they come

Being a manual gearbox, I think it will always be marked down.

Better to save and invest in a higher spec newer car....

 

[flango]

I think it would be fair to say that mods/options rarely add to the value of the car, but can help sell it.

In the MB world, the only option that seems to matter is auto (lack of which does seem to affect the price), followed by COMAND.

I find this a very regional thing with the gearboxes, in Yorkshire and surrounding areas on C & CLK class cars up to 2001 a manual box actually commands a premium over the auto. Most above this come as auto only except some of the poverty spec E class so difficult to judge them.

Compared to some of the aftermarket double Din players and sat nav available now for very little money, I think these make command outdated and therefore does not add to resale value, can't comment on the command in new MB's but assume it must have moved on leaps and bounds from 8 years ago?

 

[BTB 500]

As Mr E said, you won't normally get the money back but it may make the car easier to sell.

However ... if a mod will make you enjoy the car more, that may be enough reason to go for it!

 

[Baron_Samedi]

Mind made up...

Gonna keep the car for a while and get leather interior with the intention of making the car easier to sell.

I am of the view (gadget freak that I am) that Comand would be nice but not at the cost.

 

[x332race]

We have just bought a CLK convertible.....it was noticeable that the cars with Comand seemed to sell quicker than those without, and for a slightly higher price.

 

[renault12ts]

The extras will sell the car quicker than the one without if you have two cars to compare. The slightly higher price will not compensate for the cost of the extras.

 

[Baron_Samedi]

I guess you could mitigate that to some extent because of the enjoyment you have had from the extras...

But £700 and up for a Comand is tricky

 

[BTB 500]

I guess you could mitigate that to some extent because of the enjoyment you have had from the extras...

Exactly. The new wheels I put on my SL don't make sense financially, but I like them and am not planning to sell the car any time soon ...

 

[x332race]

The extras will sell the car quicker than the one without if you have two cars to compare. The slightly higher price will not compensate for the cost of the extras.

Agree.....just look at price differential on Parkers.....probalby no more than £200 - £300 higher for a Comand specced car, if that.

 

[SilverSaloon]

can you not get a cheaper command from ebay and fit it yourself?

 

[Uberwagon]

If it wasn't factory fit or fitted by the dealers, a well respected indy (with paperwork to prove it) then i'd not value it any higher. Just the same as if it didn't have it.

Dave!

 

[Baron_Samedi]

£500 or so is a lot of money to spend on something from Lithuania