There are plenty of MB models that I wouldn't mind owning them, but the first generation ML series is not one of them. The used car value of the ML's have been soft because the early models were problematic and throughout the production run, they were poor handlers. They are not unibody construction, but are instead body on frame construction, meaning a higher center of gravity, more body roll, more head-bobbing, etc. The new 2006 ML's are now unibody like our X5's.

If you think the value of your X5 is soft, wait until you try getting rid of the '04 ML. The current U.S. trade-in value for a base 2004 ML500 with 30K miles is $29,000, not much off what the dealer offered for your X5.

When the BMW dealer offered you 27K Canadian, was that on a trade-in offer or were you selling them the car without a trade? If it is a straight up sale back to the dealer, they will give you a low ball offer because the transaction is entirely upfront cost to them.

Another factor is whether or not your car would qualify as a CPO vehicle. If you did not buy or lease the car from a BMW dealer as a new car or a CPO certified vehicle, BMW cannot sell it as a CPO vehicle. They would give you a low-ball offer in this situation also. It's very rare that you will find a non-CPO car on the BMW dealer's used car lot unless it's a special interest vehicle. More often than not, BMW dealers will wholesale any BMW's they take in trade that they cannot resell as a CPO vehicle.

My advice - sell your car privately and something other than a first generation ML.

Regards, Mike