trade in value

[Naz24]

Can you share details of your model? I have a used dealer license and can check manheim values

[mike_dmt]

It really depends on what you trade it in on. I was in the car business for years, my old man still has a car lot to this day.

If the dealer has a good amount of cushion he can "show" you more on your car. If not, he's going to try and get the cushion back on your trade.

If your ride has problems or any engine/brake/warning lights on, he's really going to hit you with a low offer, especially on one of our E53's..

The very best thing to do is (1) Sell it yourself. You will probably get close to 30% more. (2) Be prepared to walk away from whatever you are looking to buy. Act super interested, but walk. Usually the dealer will call you back a bit later to try and make a deal. (3) Above all, educate yourself about both vehicles values in YOUR area.

[TwinsPoppa]

Definitely sell it privately. I was able to sell it for 50% more than what the VW dealer was offering. Don't ask why about the VW dealer.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Definitely sell it privately. I was able to sell it for 50% more than what the VW dealer was offering. Don't ask why about the VW dealer.

tell me you werent buying a Chrysler, erm, VW Routan minivan...

[tonytsai0429]

thanks Qsilver7, but, see the following posts...that is what I meant...

people chiming in for the experience.

Matter of fact, I did traded my in....everyone i knew told me to take it to CarMax...(as jspdr said already)

now, I will put up my value to the sake of this topic...

now, its interesting that mike_dmt and CTSportX5 talked about brake light lit up...

because my did...the day before i trade her in...(its saddens me that she knew that I'm gonna trade her in.......)

i got a $10K offer from CarMax (SoCal) - 2005 3.0 97,000 factory xenon lights with tow hitch installed

just want to put it out there for people also want to do their trade in/sell their E53s

[tonytsai0429]

Originally Posted by jspdr

Not sure what you're asking, but i'll give it a try.

1- If you want to get rid of it quickly, take it to Carmax, need to have clean
Autocheck report.

2- Not sure if you want to find out your trade in value or experience. Go test
the water yourself, because every trade in situation is unique.

3- Want to know the book value, as dealers call it, "back of book value" got to
have access to dealer auction, there the whole sellers and dealers they
can determine the value of your specific vehicle with respect to condition,
mileage, options, etc.

In theory, the trade in value is never more than the auction value.... the reason is if the dealer can't retail your trade in in a few months, it will ends up at the auction.

you are spot on...!!

I did want to move forward, as matter of fact, I balance some estimation of overhauling the E53 approaching 100k miles. I think i better just go forward with it....

I just thought someone might be in the same boat as I'm on this forum, start a thread that might help people to conclude their decision as well.

wouldn't you say so?

[tonytsai0429]

Originally Posted by CTSportX5

Just went throught the carmax process on my 05 4.4L Sport w/ 109,500 miles. $8K offer. Note my brake pad sensors are lit and someone rubbed some paint off my rear bumper. I would expect a dealer to offer a bit more say $9,500. I will probably list it somewhere between 13,000-14,000 privately (after I address the issues above).

that is very similar to my offer as well, but, my is a 3.0

thanks for your input...

my tires were just replaced, car was serviced and documented by Carfax

(interesting enough, I went up to registered Carfax, and check up on all the repairs i have done, and found some missing one a while back, and then, they validated with the dealer, and show a strong track history)

Like i said, this thread is suppose to help some one on here are thinking what is fair and what not...as their going forward with BMW journey...lol

[tonytsai0429]

Originally Posted by pezho405

My trade in is like 5500 !

hmm...interesting...

i want to know more details...

[Bill Valley]

Local Audi dealer offered $7K for my 04 3.0 w/ 98000. Spotless Carfax, never been in an accident, all service records. What a low ball offer.

[Ricky Bobby]

I just did a blackbook online value estimator on a VW dealer website for my X.

They give a range of values, anywhere from 3k-$9500 in great condition, 2003 3.0i with 68,000 miles. I'm sure having the manual transmission would kill a trade in anywhere, that's why I'm keeping the X for a long time

Definitely don't think I'd get top dollar trading in, someday when I do sell I most likely will do it privately, or by the time its time to sell it will be worth so little that I won't even care about trading in!