? about high-mileage MB's

[Ntwrkguy1]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum, though I've been searching through a lot of posts for the past two weeks or so. I typically post on Autopia, but placo1 suggested I come here for some MB info.

Typically, I like to buy and sell cars once or twice a year. I've detailed on the side for the last 20+ years, and use the car as a testbed for both new products and customers. As such, I buy cars through a wholesaler friend of mine. Recently, I've become interested in MB's, as I've developed a few clients that drive them.

I've got two concerns though: For those people who have sold their MB's, is high-mileage that much of an obstacle? And do you find that the selling price is approximately what the online sources (KBB, Edmunds, etc.) say it will be?

The cars I would be looking at purchasing would be in the '96-'98 range, preferrably E-Class. As these cars are 6-8 yrs old, mileage in the 90k+ range is quite common.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

DavidM

[manny]

90 k miles ? You've got another 10 k to go, before they're fully broken in.
Mileage has never been a deterent for me, when purchasing a vehicle.
The overall condition ( and I don't mean just a quick detailing job, ha, ha, ), tell me all I need to know.
I'm sure you're competent enough to look for the obvious care or neglect items ( maint. records, signs of frequent oil changes, gum wrappers, stale potatoe chips.you know what I mean.

[Ntwrkguy1]

Manny,

I would agree with you, 90k is low mileage (especially when I consider the mileage of the cars I've owned in the past!). However, I was wondering how easy it would be to sell one that had 120k+ on it? Some people do get spooked when the miles approach 100k. Why, I don't know. Granted, most people do associate MB's with durability, so it's not the same as a 125k mile Kia, if there is such a thing!

I think the only way I'd buy one is with complete records. The detailing I can take care of, so that's not a huge problem. Mechanical repairs I leave to the mechanics.

-DavidM

[Zeus]

I bought mine at well over 100,000 Km. It came with full service documentation (all dealer stamped) and I chose it over a lower mileage model that didn't have full documentation. For me, the mileage wasn't as big a consideration as knowing it had been maintained properly.

[Ntwrkguy1]

That's what I was thinking, that the documented high-mileage car would be a more attractive buy. Would you rather see dealer maintenance, or an 'authorized' Mercedes repair shop?

As is true with any car, maintenance is key. Most MB original owners keep up with their maintenance. Some times the second and third owners do not. Again as with any cars, frequent oil changes go a long way toward ensuring high mileage.

100K miles on an MB in and of itself would in no way scare me away from any MB. As with any used car, maintenance and condition should be the deciding factor.

As you can see in my signature, high mileage in an MB is common for me.

Good luck,

[G-Benz]

Originally posted by LarryBible
As you can see in my signature, high mileage in an MB is common for me.

Good luck,

Then your '01 must be a trailer queen!

Only the die-hard MB fans know about what REAL high mileage is...the rest of the world thinks that 100K means "boneyard time".

Took a friend's kid home from his guitar lessons last week (since my daughter takes piano lessons at the same place), and he talked about his dad thinking about buying another car. Well his dad has a 7-series Bimmer. I asked "Why?" and he said "Well, it's too old...got 90K on it!"

[janko]

case in point. my 74 vega gt khamback. 170+k miles. owner valve job at 135K. in the early 80s, at the 170k mark, ex took the thing to la. may still be on the road. naw. that would be stretching it too far.

[Zeus]

lol...my original 1971 250 sedan is still going!

I literally ran into it in a town not far from where I live, at a gas station. Spoke with the owner and he was amazed that I had owned it. It's looking a little rough, but hey, she's got well over 650,000 KMs on the clock. It was running well, but the body was going. I did a full head job on her at around 500,000 and she still has the original tranny. I gave the new owner some advice about setting and cleaning the dual Zenith carbs and a few other quirks. He appreciated it and told me he'd let me know when the car finally gives up.


P.S. I was the 10th owner. He's no.12.

[Jackd]

I personally have never been impressed by a complete detailing, cleaning, cover-up of a used car. This tactic is frequently used by questionnable used car businesses to cover-up for hidden defects and problem.
I would be more impressed by a very well documented car and being able to contact the former owner(s), even if the car is a dirty.
JackD

[Ntwrkguy1]

I've even known a few private sellers who employ those kind of tactics. Dealers are notorious for their '30-day shines' that they put on the cars, regardless of price.

I always wonder though, if someone doesn't maintain their paint/interior on a high-end automobile, what type of mechanical maintenance do they do?

[blackmercedes]

Typical buyers are scared off by high mileage, no doubt about it. My own 1998 C230 has just shy of 100K-miles now (157K-km's) and is on the brink of a big value drop thanks to the mileage.

For someone that will be selling the car in the near future, buy one with very high miles and take advantage of the low value. There isn't much depreciation left, and when you resell, you'll come out okay. buying a car on the cusp of being "high mileage" is the wrong move. You'll still pay a reasonable amount for a car with 80-90K-miles. Roll it to 120K and the value will take a big hit. Buy one with 110 or 120 on it, and you could drive it to 150 and not lose much value.

[yosshimura]

As in any automobile , brand-specific, forum, you have enthusiasts, such as me and everyone else, who are not , or might not be, the typical buyer... so while "we" might say OK to 100K , the normal consumer will not... actually, I WON"T either.

Case in point ... I am looking at two 97's....

the black one has 72K miles
& the blue one has 105K miles

BOTH fully documente and all service records..

difference in price? about $2K or less ... so the $2K savings is not worth the high miles.... now if the spread was more, then yeah, oF COURSE WITHOUT A DOUBT... as I do agree that high miles are not an issue with documentation... but remember "typical" buyer is not the same...

Bottom line? buy cars with avg miles at low price and sell high.

Most prospective used MB buyers realize that 100K is not high mileage on a well cared for Benz.

G-Benz,

Yes My C Class car has turned out to be a garage queen. I bought it a few weeks after they brought that model to the US in Sept '00. A few weeks later, the company I worked for started the first in a long series of layoffs that brought the company to the brink of distinction. At that point I kept the miles off of it for fear that I would end up having to sell it.

After two months of unemployment, I am again gainfully employed, this time with a company that I THINK will keep going. I am in Kansas City this week and drove my C Class here. It finally topped 30K miles on the trip. It is really nice to be able to start driving it.

My 300E is now getting a rest.

Have a great day,

[Ntwrkguy1]

Originally posted by yosshimura


...difference in price? about $2K or less ... so the $2K savings is not worth the high miles.... now if the spread was more, then yeah, oF COURSE WITHOUT A DOUBT... as I do agree that high miles are not an issue with documentation... but remember "typical" buyer is not the same...

Bottom line? buy cars with avg miles at low price and sell high. [/B]

Oh, believe me I agree with buying with avg miles at a low price and sell high! Only problem I see is finding a good source for avg mile MB's at low prices. If you have an idea, let me in on the secret!