Depreciation

[sasha]

So, reading the last few posts (mostly about the relationship between car prices and the global economy - all of which were very interesting viewpoints I had not heard before), I think that the advice we are all passing on to IanAlexander is that the best way for him to minimise the loss on his SLK is to nip out and:
re-engineer the UK economy, de-rail the Chinese development boom, cut the supply of PCP contracts at source, re-align the expectations of an ungrateful teenage population and cut MB production of the new SLK dead.

Then, by late this afternoon, he should clear a healthy £27-29K.

upon stepping down from my soap box, i chuckled reading this post - yes how does my thoroughly subjective view on matters help the original post!!!?

it doesn't...

 

[Rory]

I'm frequently surprised to see how high the prices are that used MB's (and BMW's for that matter) go through BCA's Blackbushe auctions (as per the reports on http://www.honestjohn.co.uk.)
Has anyone here ever selling there on a private basis - that would be the true way of establishing the cars value?

 

[C240Sport97]

why not wiat for the new CDi engine?

Oh yes. The new shape E320CDI estate is a gold mine. They are simply unavailable - no-one has them or can get them used. A friend of mine, very impressed with my car (which is a W210 E320CDI estate) wanted to buy a used one, and the only one he found was a 54 plate for...wait for it...the same price as a new one. The only advantage to him would have been that he didn't have to wait for the new one to become available - apparently there is almost 0 stock in the country at the moment, and you're having to order them with a few months lead time.

In the end he bought BMW 535d touring, which is also a damn nice car, and can actually be purchased

If you want to sell your E320CDI, now is a damn good time

-simon

 

[IanA2]

Just finished reengineering the world economy.....

pprandial that was priceless.....first time I've laughed all day

 

[prprandall51]

If it's any consolation, I have only been bid £20K on our 22 month old 3.0 Z4, which is heavy spec and was £34.5K new. That comes straight on top of a previous, hefty £11K loss in two years on a TT Roadster and £10K on an Elise in just 12 months. All were supposed to be highly bankable.

But, the original SLK at launch time... One year's motoring for a £1K loss - even sold it back to the dealer. Those were the days: summers were hot and winters were cold. All Saints and the Teletubbies ruled the charts and some people even thought that Tony Blair would sort it all out.

How far away it all seems now....

 

[IanA2]

Not Quite Neil

At a price of £20K am I correct in figuring the car cost you £13 per mile in depreciation alone? If you get £25K it will be only £10 per mile. can that be right?

You forgot to add services, road tax and insurance, now then.....where's my electric bike?

 

[Thmsshaun]

If it's any consolation, I have only been bid £20K on our 22 month old 3.0 Z4, which is heavy spec and was £34.5K new. That comes straight on top of a previous, hefty £11K loss in two years on a TT Roadster and £10K on an Elise in just 12 months. All were supposed to be highly bankable.

But, the original SLK at launch time... One year's motoring for a £1K loss - even sold it back to the dealer. Those were the days: summers were hot and winters were cold. All Saints and the Teletubbies ruled the charts and some people even thought that Tony Blair would sort it all out.

How far away it all seems now....

LOL

Quite happy with my mini lost 1K at most in the year Would be even less than thet if it wasnt for the extras. Like has already been said extras just increase the saleability.

 

[gary350]

Another misleading way of estimating value after X amount of years is the % given in car mags, 75% of 50K retained value is different than 50% of 15K so if you buy high value cars expect high value losses.
The reason why I have 2 SLKs is that the dealers offer on my very low mileage 230K (17K miles bought new from them) against a new 350 was laughable so I kept it.

gary

 

[Goldfish11]

I work to a simple rule now with cars.

IT WILL BE WORTH NOTHING AFTER 4 YEARS! :bannana:

Then when you go to get a new one you are pleasantly suprised that it is worth something!. This may be a silly way to view depreciation but it does focus the mind and also once it is over 4 years old it encourages me to keep them as the car is worth more to me than anyone else. I have never owned a car that has been worth what everyone says it will be worth in 2 or 3 years.

You may as well get a car you love and enjoy driving. No one thinks about depreciation when you buy a computer we just accept it is worth nothing in few years, the same is true of cars.

 

[adam1]

Interesting post....about depreciation.

Bought mine for about 26K, 18 months ago.

I have a dilemma.

Was thinking of changing to a smaller car like A4 2.5Tdi Quattro Sport(4wd).. for about 13K from main dealer with 12 months warranty.

Dealer has offered 21K for mine against his. which is a good offer considering the book is about 20500. Some jokers offered 19K.

The problem for me is should I extend warranty for 12 months come Sept at £600 and keep the Mbz or swap to A4. I will most likely swap the A4 for a Lexus IS 200d come next April. Does it make sense keeping the car for another year or changing now. The cashback looks tempting and could go towards DIY etc....

Whenever i decide to change something crops up and I change my mind....went in for a E service expecting a 450 plus bill....anyway Dealer said 420 which meant sell now avoid 600 plus 400 service cost. However it seems the dealer can now do it for 220 quid.....use my own oil and he offered to omit the not required brake fliud change...saving 220 quid for a oil/filter change.

What does one do?

 

[david_e]

Hard to say, is a tempting offer to change if your annual miles are low as it sounds like you want a bit more oompph, not sure on the value of the Audi though, and if anything goes wrong it will make the merc costs look tiny.

 

[adam1]

The Audi is a 2001 with 55K miles, grey with black interior...has the 17 inch wheels and has 180bhp and 370Nm torque 0-60 in 8sec and with quatttro for safer driving including better traction during winter. Most importantly it will be a good fit with the integral garage...wife will be pleased.

It doesn't have the "feel good factor the Mbz provides" but i do 5-8K miles/pa, not sure why i need a diesel but i guess its the torque thing.

The cheaper Mbz motoring( one service in 18 months costing 220 quid is a freebie). 600 quid warranty is better than Audi( 700 quid plus 120quid 100 point check...rip off for a lesser brand).

Dealers are about the same..just as rude and snobish with exception of MBz Harrogate who always excel in CS...if they can please me they must be good.


Anyway the warranty is not till sept so got some breathing space to think of options......but the Quattro is quite tempting........