What is a 2011 W204 C200 worth?

[PearlJam]

My friend asked me to take over his expat colleague's W204 C200 year 2011, C&C car. 

Mileage is about 70'000.  Cosmetic condition is OK but not perfect, there is a not-so-obvious dent on a door, looks like as if someone kicked into it.  The present guy is the 2nd owner.  He is not the sort of car-lover like most of us here. 

 

I am not sure how much I should offer for it.

If I use a depreciation of $16'000, is it fair? 

At that price, would I be better off getting a newer W205?

 

What do you guys think?  What is a fair price?

 

Another friend suggested I am better off getting an Infiniti Q50 which comes with the Merc E250 engine and transmission?

But that is another story.

[Treestar]

My friend asked me to take over his expat colleague's W204 C200 year 2011, C&C car. 

Mileage is about 70'000.  Cosmetic condition is OK but not perfect, there is a not-so-obvious dent on a door, looks like as if someone kicked into it.  The present guy is the 2nd owner.  He is not the sort of car-lover like most of us here. 

 

I am not sure how much I should offer for it.

If I use a depreciation of $16'000, is it fair? 

At that price, would I be better off getting a newer W205?

 

What do you guys think?  What is a fair price?

 

Another friend suggested I am better off getting an Infiniti Q50 which comes with the Merc E250 engine and transmission?

But that is another story.

Hi after reading yr post i'd say you are rather leaning towards a w205 n not too keen on the w204 from what you described. If yr budget allows go for the W205, a world of diff in terms of ride comfort and interior. Exterior is subjective as some prefer the W204 angular looks while others prefer the more coupe S class look of the W205.

For the Q50 Infiniti, i had a weekend with it..ride and refinement nowhere near my W205 C180 which was surprising to me as i thought Q50 using the C200 engine and same 7G gearbox..perhaps tuning and insulation not quite up to par yet with mercedes..but if you like gizmos like 360 paranomic rev cam, apps screen and loads of interior space then you would like the Q50...get the sports model..looks way better esp in red or black..of course the cheaper price is attractive too..go test drive the w205 and Q50 back to back to decide

[heidtb]

A fair price for you would be about 14k depre. It's already 3k more per year than the scrape value of about 10-11k per year

[Etsk22]

c200 scrap value only $10-11k?

[heidtb]

I meant the depre from now till Coe end would be 10-11k per year

[solar]

Not too sure about the Q50, but I suppose it don't use supercharger like W204.

For me, the whining sound is beginning to irritate, though the car is still a reliable workhorse.

[PearlJam]

The scrap value is about just under $22'000

The car is now 4 years 4 months old

2nd owner

SanHupBee is selling a W205 C200 for $184,800 with COE $74,501, OMV $38'948, ARF of $46,527 and a depreciation of $16'711

I am comparing against a PI because this W204 is no longer under warranty being a used car.

Considering that we are comparing a superceded model W204 against a current model W205, a depreciation for the W204 of $14,000 represents a difference of only 15% from a newer model.  I am not sure if it is worthwhile with such a small 'savings' 

On top of that, I will be the 3rd owner if I buy it.

I think a depreciation of $13,000 will be fairer.

Any more than that, it doesn't make sense.  Better to pay more and get a newer model.

 

At the end of the day, buyer wants to buy low and seller wants to sell high so need to find a compromise but right now my heart seems to say no unless it is below $100,000

Might be a bit too low for the seller unless he is desperate.  

 

The more I think about it, the more I think it makes sense to buy new because, in the Singapore context, the used car prices do not represent good value.

In the UK, a 3 year old car will lose on average 50% of its value.  But of course we cannot compare.  We have a strange system here. 

[PearlJam]

A fair price for you would be about 14k depre. It's already 3k more per year than the scrape value of about 10-11k per year

 I am sorry but I do not understand this.

By scrap value, I take it to mean the value of the paper 1 day before the car is 10 years old.

[PearlJam]

Not too sure about the Q50, but I suppose it don't use supercharger like W204.

For me, the whining sound is beginning to irritate, though the car is still a reliable workhorse.

I googled, the Infiniti Q50 uses the Mercedes-Benz M 274 DE 20 AL with 7-Logic gearbox.  It is a turbo four.

I drove it a few months ago but I was not able to determine if the ride is better or worse than the W205 as I have not driven the W205 and frankly I would not be able to tell the difference much.

 

Truth be told, I am looking for value these days.  So hard to justify paying $200,000 for a car!  Maybe buy a cheapo car and dark glasses to hide myself! 

[heidtb]

I am sorry but I do not understand this.

By scrap value, I take it to mean the value of the paper 1 day before the car is 10 years old.

Basically the value if you buy immediately and scrape immediately is about 60-70k which works out to 10-11k. Hence a fair value would be about 2k above that per year. That's how I would count but diff people count differently

[solar]

One way is to get the details of the car, then ask a couple dealers for offer price.

Do the same for selling price then consider somewhere in between for a 'fair' price.

IMO 16k is a tad high for a used 2011 w204, and not even the first owner.

[Slowpoke]

Dont forget about wear and tear. Maintenance will also be higher than new cars.

[PearlJam]

Was told that a dealer has offered to buy at $110'000!!

That is about $15'000 annual depreciation.

How do these dealers do business, I wonder.

[heidtb]

Cause there will be someone who will buy at 130k and they can give high loan with minimal down payment.

[Omgamg]

6 years left.. if I use current W205 over 10 years straight line, a 4 year old c-class is 114k. If the W204 is higher than 100k, no point i say just buy a brand new W205 with the latest equipment and better resale value

 

in terms of brand value and shiokness, cannot compare infiniti vs merc la. infiniti is a glam up nissan no matter how you want to see it.

 

Disclaimer: I'm one who does not believe in buying used (previous gen) car cos of the intrinsic value of the new model. If it is apple to apple, W204 old vs W204 new then maybe, just maybe can consider.

[PearlJam]

Cause there will be someone who will buy at 130k and they can give high loan with minimal down payment.

Because of this unlevel playing field, the consumer (car buyers) suffer the most.  And those who suffer most are those from the lower segment of society who need or want a car but do not have enough money for it.  And then they end up paying more when the richer gets better terms.

Despite saying all these, yet I cannot find a good buy!  Hahaha. 

[jtang]

Best way to offer a fair price is to seek 3 dealers ( both must agree) to offer a price...then use the lowest offer as a benchmark.

[PearlJam]

But it seems that a dealer has offered $110'000 to buy it so good luck to both.

I do not mind a superceded model but the price must be good value.

Sekali kena green-key issue, this and that repair . . headache .. 2nd owner, not lovingly driven . .

[PearlJam]

6 years left.. if I use current W205 over 10 years straight line, a 4 year old c-class is 114k. If the W204 is higher than 100k, no point i say just buy a brand new W205 with the latest equipment and better resale value

 

in terms of brand value and shiokness, cannot compare infiniti vs merc la. infiniti is a glam up nissan no matter how you want to see it.

 

Disclaimer: I'm one who does not believe in buying used (previous gen) car cos of the intrinsic value of the new model. If it is apple to apple, W204 old vs W204 new then maybe, just maybe can consider.

I tend to agree with you.  The newer model has better interiors and perhaps better features but mechanically still much the same as the W204?

 

As to the brand value and shiokness, I unfortunately do not think that way. I have reached a stage in my life when I am no longer concerned with image.  I am an old man now,  I am more stingy now! haha.  Who cares how they judge me by the car I drive?  As long as I do not have to join the long Q at the bank but can go straight into the Premier Lounge?  Hahaha, just joking, sorry, dont flame me.  But seriously, the cheaper Mercedes are said to be using engines sourced from Renault!  And these days Merc, BMW, VW are using Korean tyres!  So these people are buying the brand but not necessarily better value.  And then I am the sort who likes to support the under-dog.  To me, Infiniti like Acura is following Lexus, trying to go upmarket and they have definitely been putting in good materials in their cars.  Their leathers for example are very good.  Mercedes C-class I believe are mostly using vinyl, not real leather.  So today I heard over the radio that the Q50 is going for $159'800?   Compare this against the price of a C250 and this glammed-up Nissan is good value?  Mercedes is over-pricing their product, I think.  I was chauffered for a week in a Lexus LS Hybrid.  I dare say I was very impressed with the car.  But better not discuss this too much.  Later I get accused of being an Infiniti salesman which I am not.  And I am not considering buying a Q50 nor any Lexus.

 

But I understand your point.  No problem. I tend to agree somewhat.

[Omgamg]

C180 is "artico" fake leather but C200 and above is real leather

 

i don't think the germans use Korean tyres leh.... not even VW

 

in terms of paper specs, Japanese will always beat Conti at the same price range (forget about comparing same class)

 

I personally like Lexus but it is more exp than Audi/Merc/BMW!

[PearlJam]

You think wrong, I have seen in Singapore car showrooms, BMWs, MINIs and I think VWs, fitted with Korean-brand tyres.

Hankook, Kumho.  But I am not doubting the quality of Korean-brand tyres.

 

http://www.hankooktire-eu.com/about/news/single-news-view/article/further-original-equipment-success-for-hankook-tyres-on-premium-cars-1.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPi

d%5D=132&cHash=caa5986c38cb47da2a47bdd6411559eb

 

http://www.kumho.com.au/blog/2014/12/11/bmw-selects-kumho-tyres-for-3-series/

 

I have no preference for, nor bias against, any brands Lexus, Infiniti, BMWs, MBs, Jaguars, VWs etc.  Just a general comment with no malice intended.

 

Actually Artico is good because it is cheaper, saves the poor cows, easier to maintain and lasts longer in our tropical climate.  Except for the first few months when new, on my black Artico, I have never applied conditioner nor clean with special expensive leather cleaner since.

I have very soft real leather by JackSpeed in my Alphard, looks great, nice to touch but it is a hassle to maintain, also cos I chose beige (wrong choice for time-poor people like me).

[Omgamg]

sorry just to dwell a little bit more on infiniti, i checked out the pics of its interior and they are quite underwhelming... no different from a Toyota

http://www.sgcarmart.com/new_cars/newcars_photos.php?CarCode=11553

 

This is where Merc sets itself apart from everyone else.

 

As an owner of W205 C180, I find myself already unable to fully maximise even the sports mode in SG roads so specs in terms of HP & Torque to me (once they meet a reasonable target) are secondary compared to luxury...

 

Of course everyone looks for different things when buying a car la

[J&E]

Actually Volvo S60 T5 is a good buy. For only 165k u get C250 power.