Need help valuing my car, selling it soon - 2003 W211 E320 CDi Avantgarde

[christopherwk]

Unfortunately, it is the policy of the company I work on behalf of to have a car which is more or less about three years old, and I have been advised to replace it.

It will mean selling my existing car - a 2003 W211 E320 CDi Avantgarde. Reason I need help in valuing it, is because of the mileage - 213,000 (and is going by up around 1,200 a week), and it is fairly high spec, although I understand it may not add any/much value to the car, it will just make it more saleable.

A few on here may have seen it as I've been to a few GTGs.

It's in tealite blue metallic, with sierra grey leather. Main options are: integrated rear child seats, electric sunroof, 4-zone thermotronic, Harman Kardon, 6 CD changer, Audio 50 satnav and keyless-go. Also split/fold rear seats, fire extinguisher and smoker's pack (I believe these were also options).

In good condition throughout, a few scuffs on the bumpers here and there, a couple of small rust spots near the bottom of the rear wheel arch, and the driver's door handle doesn't work on keyless-go.

Mercedes service history until 188,000 miles, after which was serviced by Olly, also did the gearbox fluid change at around 200,000 miles. However, there seem to be a couple of gaps in the service book (between 17294 and 59165 miles, and 95425 and 129238 miles), but the car has been reliable during my ownership (I had it since 140,000 miles).

Reluctant sale, I wish I could've kept it for another 200,000 miles. I'll add a post to the classifieds section once I'm ready to sell, as at the moment I'm looking for another W211 E320 CDi (facelift - 3.0 V6, must have leather), but in the meantime I just need some idea of what the car is worth at the moment.

 

[st4]

Around £7000 I would wager. Sorry to hear you are having to selling it Chris. Try webuyanycar for an idea, and maybe worth PMing Jaymanek who could give you a glasses figure/CAP valuation.

 

[jaymanek]

Its too high miles for a glass's value, but id say around 4-5K would be trade price and 5.5-6K private.

 

[alanuk400]

On the next car, why don't you put a private or dateless plate on. The average guy in the street won't know how old it is, unless there is a complete model change.

I still use a W220 for my work, can't justify the cost of W221, my clients have said how nice the "new" Mercedes is.

Alan

 

[christopherwk]

Thanks Steve, £7,000 sounds quite high to me (since I bought it last Feb with 140,000 for £8,000), obviously I'll be happy to get £7,000 for it!

Webuyanycar value the car at £3,690, although they won't buy it because it's been used as a private hire vehicle, and it has a personal plate on it, which they require to be taken off, which I'm reluctant to do as it's a bit of a faff (and it will cost me £105), so I plan to sell it with it on.

 

[renault12ts]

£3-4,000 tops.

 

[christopherwk]

Thanks for the replies, as I was typing the last message! I think that's about right though, I currently value it with the insurers at £6,000, I just want to see how close to that figure it really is.

It has a private plate on there already, and I get a few comments on how nice/new the car is from people, however in central London, where every other private hire car is a Mercedes, and we have lots of regular/account customers who travel all the time, I think they may be able to tell the difference between a facelifted (i.e.less than 3 years), and a non-facelifted 211. (mine).

Had a look on Auto Trader for similar cars:
2003 E270 CDi Elegance 215,000 miles - £6,000
2003 E320 CDi Avantgarde 167,000 miles - £7,000

 

[Matt's Dad]

I recently paid just over £6k for my 54 plate E320 CDI Avantgarde saloon, 175,000 miles, leather, AMG stying and wheels from new, excellent condition inside and out (inside could do with a valet though)

That was at a fleet sale auction, so I would guess at a private sale on yours to be about £4,500 - £5,000

Don't take any notice of 'we buy any car' prices - they have huge mark ups, and rely on lazy people who need a quick sale. Look at a car for sale somewhere, make a note of the price, then enter the reg on the web site, and you'll see how low they value it! (if you're allowed to do that! I'm going by prices they have quoted friends cars that were for sale)

If you do decide on a price, put an advert on here, as a friend of mine has fallen in love with my car, and can't believe how nice it is to drive for the money it cost - he may not be fully serious, but says he wants one!

 

[st4]

Gosh, someone paid £7k for a 2002 211 at Ollies meet with 160k on clock. Thats how I came up with that figure, but thats retail figure I guess. I guess I should have knocked some off for that. If you've lost say £4k on it and done 35k plus in it then I guess its not been a bad purchase.

You'll love the v6 engine BTW, soooooo smooth and refined. The biggest compliment I can give it is that you don't feel its a diesel, just a nice engine.

 

[Aletank]

How do WeBuyAnyCar know it has been a private hire vehicle ? Does the V5 show this ?

 

[christopherwk]

You'll love the v6 engine BTW, soooooo smooth and refined. The biggest compliment I can give it is that you don't feel its a diesel, just a nice engine.

Yes, I'll be looking forward to that, especially with the smooth 7 speed gearbox. I'm a little concerned about the longetevity of the V6 engine though, I know the inline 6 is proven for many miles.

However, I'll probably have to put with a more standard spec car though to be within my budget. I expect it's going to be silver/black with black leather. The main extra I'll probably miss is the Harman Kardon, but as you mentioned previously, the standard stereo seems to be good enough.

How do WeBuyAnyCar know it has been a private hire vehicle ? Does the V5 show this ?

I've been wondering that too, no it's not on the V5. I don't expect them to ring up every council which licences cars for private hire, quoting the VIN number every time to check! However, I think the mileage is a dead giveaway though.

If you do decide on a price, put an advert on here, as a friend of mine has fallen in love with my car, and can't believe how nice it is to drive for the money it cost - he may not be fully serious, but says he wants one!

I'll bump this thread when I've got a replacement, and I'm ready to sell.

 

[st4]

I saw on other threads the V6 is good for over 200k and seen a comment someone was in a 280cdi taxi with 280k miles.

Its a new engine (relatively) so mega miles ones are few and far between alas but there is no reason why a well maintained modern diesel engine can't see north of 500,000 miles. The 7spd box with fluid changes should be fine.

Would an LPG'd petrol engined E class be an option. Can you afford to lose the boot space?

 

[christopherwk]

I need all the boot space, there has been a few times when the entire boot has been packed out with luggage, which is also why a diesel is preferred over a petrol, it's the low-down torque which is handy for pulling a fully laden car with luggage and 3/4 passengers, unless I get a petrol V8