Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

[Alexalex]

Hi guys,
I have been looking high and low for a used E90 320 or even a Mercedes C180k without success. Anyone of you with any leads, please let me know. I prefer not to buy from the dealers so that it is a win-win for owners who can sell direct to me.
What is your opinion on the PPSL cars? They are asking $118 for the 1 yr old 320? For that sort of price, I do wonder why people would not buy brand new? Is there any valid reasons?

 

[BKM]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

Hi guys,
I have been looking high and low for a used E90 320 or even a Mercedes C180k without success. Anyone of you with any leads, please let me know. I prefer not to buy from the dealers so that it is a win-win for owners who can sell direct to me.

Thats why there are dealers to search for you.
btw, whats wrong with buying from dealer? apart from the markup.

What is your opinion on the PPSL cars? They are asking $118 for the 1 yr old 320? For that sort of price, I do wonder why people would not buy brand new? Is there any valid reasons?

PPSL oso dealer mah
Why dont you buy a brand new to solve your issue? nw is

 

[milk]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

Actually, I m looking for between the new C200 Sports Edition and the E90 320i. PML quote me 134k for high spec 320i. However, the price I got for my current car is crap. I have to top up 9k. That sucks.

 

[ferd]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

The c class is out going model...the e90 is current model.... Imagine what your body price will be eventually when you wanna change your ride?

 

[milk]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

er... not very good at such things like body price, could u elaborate? Many thanks.

 

[sam]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

Hi Alex,

guess we are in the same boat. I was eyeing those 2 cars a while back, but if you were to look at paper value and depreciation....it is very high.... almost 15k per year....

check out sgcartmart as well to have an indication of the asking price....PPSL's value is that it provide an additional 12 mths warranty....

have tested the C180....drives quite good and the interior looks nice.....

C180 - a passenger's car but 320/318 - a drivers' car.... I opted for a 318i but will buy a used 320 / c180 sport edition prob for my next car....

c180 - have not seen the sport edition been sold in the used market as yet...check out sgcarmart daily...

happy scouting for your car...

 

[Ahbengdriver]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

both 320i and c180 pretty much on par but differs a bit in the pick up. The C180 is more typical mercedes, giving smooth gradual accelaration. BMWs gives a more torque-y feeling when u ram the throttle. But I will have to say the Merc interior is nicer and also their seat more comfy. Maybe BMW should have those Merc seats.

 

[hitmee]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

C180 comes with super charger, does it mean it will be easier to tune to 193hp (C230 output)?
if yes then definitely more worth it.

 

[Alexalex]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

BKW asked whats wrong with buying from dealer. Simple, it is the price. New now about $126'000 - $130'000 but dealers are asking , for a used 1 yr old model with 20'000 km, for $115'000 - $118'000. That is not attractive because I am very sure the first owner would probably get about $103'000 - $105'000 if he sells to the dealers. Therefore I am prepared to pay something between $105'000 and $118'000 and that way, the original owner loses less.

Actually the way I see it, people who buy from dealers are those who cannot come up with the initial downpayment. I know a E90 was sold for $106'000 (2nd owner) and the buyer paid a deposit of only $5'000! Therefore that is the ONLY reason for the existence of dealers. In many foreign countries, one can easily buy used cars direct from owners. Those who can put down the initial deposit will somehow be 'forced' to buy new but then lose a big chunk when re-selling it later on.

I know there are 2 owners asking for $123'000 and $110'000 in sgcarmart. The $123'000 car is out of the question - I might as well pay a few thousand more and get a brand new car with lower financing charges and it is a 00 transfer. The $110'000 car will be a 01 transfer so I will be the 3rd owner so the price is not fair (for me, in my opinion).
Buying a luxury car from an average dealer means I wont know who the original owner is and how it has been cared for. I saw a white E90 sometime back, gosh, I dont think the owner took pride in his new car. The condition was awful but if sold to a dealer, he would have prep the car and one wont know how tired the car looked like originally!

Whether it is the E90 or the C180K, I am happy with either and I have thought through it so thanks for your comments. Now I am sitting back waiting for some owners who are ready to do a fair win-win deal. Sorry for being long-winded, I just want to buy a good used E90 or C180K direct from the original owner without paying for the exorbitant and unattractive dealers' asking prices. Those who are planning to trade-in, perhaps you can consider selling to me at a higher price than the trade-in price?

 

[The Mixmaster]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

Now I am sitting back waiting for some owners who are ready to do a fair win-win deal. Sorry for being long-winded, I just want to buy a good used E90 or C180K direct from the original owner without paying for the exorbitant and unattractive dealers' asking prices. Those who are planning to trade-in, perhaps you can consider selling to me at a higher price than the trade-in price?

I agree with you. If I am selling a used car, I would rather sell it to a private buyer and get a fiar win-win deal.

One thing I never understood is why there is concern over now many owners the car has had?

Say, if a car has had 3 owners but it has low mileage and has been well looked after, isn't i better to buy this car than another car that has only 1 owner, high mileage and in poor condition?

 

[sam]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

yeah alexalex. I do agree with you. Waited and scouted around for almost 3 mths for a good deal 320/ C180...but no good direct deals so far.... so if you are not itching to get a new car, think it is fine to wait until sometime comes along....but the direct owners are also pricing them close to the dealers price based on what I see so far....

for myself, settled down for a used 318i (which still has the old tax parf & higher paper value)...I have seem some good value C180 for around 97k (2 yrs old) new facelift but not the sport edition...but looks pretty good...

On the no of ownership, is there any impact to the body price if at the end of 5 / 7 yrs, the car will be sold and exported out of singapore? Heard that no of ownership for exports are not critical components any idea?

 

[Alexalex]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

To MixMaster, I think if I were to buy a used car and I know that there has been many owners, I would baulk at it. First thing to go through my mind is why the owners have decided not to keep the cars longer, are there major problems that each is trying to avoid? Also, the general feeling that the more owners, the more risk that the car may have been poorly taken-care of. If you do not plan to keep the car for long, you wont bother to change the engine oil when it is due, wash it regularly, etc. Right? More owners means more drivers. Most owners here will tell you that they DO NOT lend their precious BMWs to their friends? As for me, my car has always been a one-driver car! In some overseas countries, the value of your used car is also dependent on the mileage covered, the number of users and whether the paint is original.

To Sam, I think the number of owners for export cars will not matter much but I got the impression that I managed to get a better price when I exported my E36 years ago. It was about 5 years old, 318is with the 16 valve head and 150 bhp but only done 50'000km with a full service record from Performance, original untouched paintwork. The guy told me my car will be easy to sell when it gets to New Zealand so he was prepared to pay me a bit more!

By the way, I dont know where to post this but to all you car fanatics, there is an excellent program on Central on Friday nights at 930pm. Each week they feature the old classic cars like the Dino, 356, Healey Sprite, etc. Also segments on the old M3, 635CSi, etc. I am waiting for the BMW 2002 segment, wonder if they have that at all - I had 2 of those when I was younger! including a 2002tii with Mahle pistons and Alpina stripes which I lovingly cut out by hand! The 2002 still looks great to me! I should have kept mine ... arghhh ... haha... sentimental old foggy! Hey, who's the member with that gorgeous red 2002?

 

[BMWSILVER]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

Hi ! Alexalex.

I totally agreed with you. The best is to buy from the owner directly and knowing how well he has taken care of his car

If you are really keen to buy E90, why don't you join us for the Monthly meet-up (Every last Sunday of each month). This month meet-up will be on 29 Oct 06.

You can make friends with many E90 owners and who know you can chance upon a lovely E90 when the owner decided to upgrade

Do not hesitate to join us O.K.

The first time I joined the BMW Forums, I drove my Nissan Sunny there and these guys really friendly. Trust me

 

[Alexalex]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

Mai la, paiseh la. Wait till I get my E90, then I shall join you guys but what if I get a C180k instead? Ooops! Seems that there are more C180Ks for sale than E90s!
By the way, I am glad to have 'found' this forum. Perhaps I might be able to find buyers for my brand new unused K&N air filters for E36.
Anyway, I am still hopeful that I wil find my E90 amongst you guys here. I am ready to pay a small finder's fee! Sorry, seems like a 'bribe' but consider it as my token of thanks .... But please hurry, Performance sales guys are tempting me with a new E90 for $126'000 , ex IMF car, maybe all sold by now?

 

[sam]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

have not seen a merc singapore - based ? forum as yet

 

[The Mixmaster]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

Bro

Here are some Singapore Mercedes forums/threads:

SG Merc - http://www.2uned.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=38

MB World - http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=140105&highlight=singapore

 

[guinness]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

By the way, I dont know where to post this but to all you car fanatics, there is an excellent program on Central on Friday nights at 930pm. Each week they feature the old classic cars like the Dino, 356, Healey Sprite, etc. Also segments on the old M3, 635CSi, etc. I am waiting for the BMW 2002 segment, wonder if they have that at all - I had 2 of those when I was younger! including a 2002tii with Mahle pistons and Alpina stripes which I lovingly cut out by hand! The 2002 still looks great to me! I should have kept mine ... arghhh ... haha... sentimental old foggy! Hey, who's the member with that gorgeous red 2002?

You could still keep an old car on the road in SG if you want. It's just not as economically viable but that's the way the folks who rule this place have decided on so you'll just have to make the choice of a new E90 or an old 628 . I'd certainly love to see some of the older bimmers on the road! From the 2002s to the E30s - when good mechanics rather than electronics ruled the roads.

 

[Ahbengdriver]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

Hi ! Alexalex.

I totally agreed with you. The best is to buy from the owner directly and knowing how well he has taken care of his car

If you are really keen to buy E90, why don't you join us for the Monthly meet-up (Every last Sunday of each month). This month meet-up will be on 29 Oct 06.

You can make friends with many E90 owners and who know you can chance upon a lovely E90 when the owner decided to upgrade

Do not hesitate to join us O.K.

The first time I joined the BMW Forums, I drove my Nissan Sunny there and these guys really friendly. Trust me

Actually I did thought about selling my E90 320i when I went car shopping with my brother in law recently. of cos if I do choose it sell it now(only 8.5 months old ), it will with all the stock OEM fittings, ie not selling with the BBS Rims and Eibach springs and etc. Just stock.

How much is it worth?

 

[sam]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

Hi Ahbengdriver,

how would you compare the E46 318i vs the new E90?

Was eyeing the E90 but settled for a 318i as didn't want to over stretch my budget.... but may buy a E90 2-3 yrs later....

 

[nisteroo]

Re: Want to buy E90 or Merc C180k

I feel that the E46 Sports edition is equal if not even a better drive compare to the current E90. there're more feel from the steering constantly providng feedback on the road and better response from the engine as well. Hmm..... thought the new E90 would be a better drive but doesn't seems to be the case....!