Dealer Valuations

[SteveCL65]

Anyone had any experience of RIDICULOUS dealer trade in values.
I ordered a new CL63 AMG from Mercedes Brooklands a few months ago and the salesman was a little bit cagey when it came to the value of my 04/54 CL65 AMG. He said he could give a more accurate figure closer to the trade in time. Fine i thought. I get a call saying that the new car has arrived early, so of i trundle all excited to Brooklands to have a look and get mine valued. They bring round the new one, looks great in Designo Mystic Blue (as is the 65). They looked over the trade in car, everything is fine, apart from the tarnished chrome rims that my dog ****** on repeatidly whilst i was away for three months, but i allowed a sum for that. We wll give you a value this afternoon. They rang, and offered me £26000. I told them to basically stuff it and they can keep the new one (and my five grand deposit). Anyone else had any dealings like this.

 

[GrahamC230K]

What's the book trade price on a '54 CL65 then?

 

[SteveCL65]

I cant find one. But CL600 which were 50 grand cheaper are selling for 30+

 

[Will]

Glass's guide reckon £30-40K, but it doesn't take into account for mileage.

What's the mileage on your car Steve?

Welcome to the forums btw

Will

 

[Will]

It'll also be obviously a very difficult car to price, and probably quite a liability in trade terms - if it's sitting unsold it's losing ££££s a month.

Perhaps they were too low on their trade in value, but there's a lot of caution involved I'd imagine. Not a great way to build relations though, especially as a repeat customer on £100K+ cars.

Will

 

[SteveCL65]

42k

 

[Will]

Sounds like a nice car, if everything is perfect I'd personally have the wheels refurbed and sell it privately or to a specialised dealer.

There's a member on the forum here (Jaymanek) who retails pre-owned MBs, not sure if it's what he'd be interested in but you could try?

Will

 

[SteveCL65]

I will probably replace the rims and continue to use the car until i decide what to get next. I need a reliable car and Astons arn't. But i will not go back to Merc Brooklands for a replacement merc. I have done the same with An Aston dealer in Reading when i ordered a Vanquish, again silly value on the trade in Aston, so i walked and never went back for sales or servicing.

 

[peppernick]

£26k! ............... Jeez, that's taking the piss!

However, given the current retail climate, I reckon they might have to auction the car off.

I have been looking at CLK55s recently and dealers are really desparate to shift to them. However, they will only offer me £26k for my 350 when 8 months ago it cost nearly £47k ....... hence, my hesistation even though some are willing to do a one-for-one swap.

 

[machasm]

Welcome,
That does seem like an awfully low price to me.
Still does make you think that they are holding all the cards.
£5000 deposit and wouldn't give you an evaluation until the new vehicle arrived.
I'll wager they thought that you would think twice about walking away from a £5K deposit and lobbed in a low bid.
Mac.

 

[SteveCL65]

Well they were wrong. My only advise is to buy your Mercs from anywhere but not Brooklands.

 

[tudu]

Well they were wrong. My only advise is to buy your Mercs from anywhere but not Brooklands.

Hi Steve welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about the poor service you received from MB Brooklands (£5K) takes a lot of guts to walk away from a new car with a five grand loss. Anyway as you say carry on enjoying your CL65 until you get the deal you are looking for. Best of luck in your search.

 

[MBManInKen]

What I don't understand is why you didn't get a valuation agreed and on a piece of paper before signing the order for the new car?

At least that way you remain in charge.

If it has happened before, is perhaps the advice: "when it hurts, stop doing it"?

 

[gbjeppm]

Is it worth another call tomorrow to find out if they are prepared to up their offer? I know this is not the best the way to do business, but if you don't want to lose the 5k deposit and you still want the car, surely there is still a deal to be done.

Also A word to the Dealer principle might be in order, especially if you are a repeat customer.

Oh and welcome by the way, some very nice cars you have

 

[grober]

I would guess that they decided they wouldn't retail the car [more than 3 years old and old shape? ] and merely offered it to the trade. £26,000 was maybe the best offer they got?? If they were a bit sneaky/paranoid they may already have lined up another buyer in case you defaulted. In my experience many car salesmen don't have the knowledge/authority/nerve to value a car properly, so simply farm it out to the trade and let the customer take the hit. Shabby treatment all the same.

 

[Will]

I think I'd personally ask them if they could explain their valuation, 'has there been a mistake...?'

Surely they must use a reference of some sort to come to a figure, and in this case, because it sounds so low you'd like to see evidence of this.

What would the insurance company value your vehicle at market value as? (for comparison). Maybe another trade in offer from a different MB dealer?

Will

 

[Mudster]

They'll be back on the phone with a better offer, with a firm order and £5000 deposit they just thought you'd pay up. I guess you're a better no limit player than they are.....

 

[ibrar]

How about selling your CL privately? You must be able to find someone that is after a CL?

 

[nick mercedes]

I cant find one. But CL600 which were 50 grand cheaper are selling for 30+

As are CL55s:

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...=SO24+9NB&radius=1501&showMoreOptions=&page=4

 

[machasm]

Theres a 65
going for £78500 privately on an 06 plate.
type in 65 in keywords
can't get the link to work directly.
Mac.