One down, two to go

[TD]

Our E46 M3 drove off with its new owner this morning. Definitely mixed emotions.

Now it's time to sell both of my parents' cars. I know most of you know I've had my dad's E39 for many years, even before he passed away, and he passed 11 years ago. I think I've had it now for at least 15 years.It hasn't been driven with any consistency in the past like 8 years and with a parasitic drain somewhere in the electrical system, having a dead battery is the most common state the car has been in. It's cosmetically in pretty good shape and the engine has been well maintained with regular oil changes. But there are myriad electrical issues. Heck, I can't even get the OBD2 to read from the port. I'm thinking pull items of value from it (like the CD head unit which enables all kinds of extra functionality as well as the bluetooth module) and then donate it.

Next we took my mom's C280 away from her about a month and a half ago. Aside from some scrapes from parking by feel as a 90 year old, it's fine if not a little grimy inside. Pondering cleaning it up a bit (not to perfect) and just taking it to Carmax or one of the other no-fuss buy-your-car places. But she's not going to drive again and none of us have any interest in an aging, non-sport, underpowered automatic Mercedes.

We had 6 cars here this morning. We're at 5 now. I want to be down to 3 by the time the new M3 makes it home next month. Wish me luck.

I swear, getting rid of cars is a bigger pain in the ass than buying them is.

[FC]

Wow, man. That's a lot to deal with. I still remember when you first took possession of the E39. I can't believe you still have it. It must have been hard to let go of the E46, but congrats.

I would agree with your idea re: the E39 and C280. The least amount of headache is the way to go.

[JST]

The only issue with CarMax is that they won’t retail anything more than 10 years old, meaning you’ll get wholesale minus a bit. But yeah that sounds better than trying to put it on FB marketplace or something.

[wdc330i]

Agreed. Sometimes just moving on is the best thing to do.

[FC]

Originally Posted by JST

The only issue with CarMax is that they won’t retail anything more than 10 years old

Interesting. Did not know that. While it makes sense as a whole, I can see a lot of 10 year old cars that are in good shape. Our LR4 turned 10 (manufacture date) this month and it looks and runs great.

[wdc330i]

Could you use something as a trade for the next car transaction? Probably too late for the M3…

[Josh (PA)]

As JST said, there is a pretty big drop off in value from cars that Carmax type places can resell vs not, but it is zero effort. You can get online quotes from tem with the VIN so you can judge if it's worth your (lack of) effort to go that route. Maybe look for a local used car dealership that 'specializes' in the ~10yr old used car market and see what they'd buy it from you for. It would still be auction level pricing, but might be a bit more. I'm guessing Jon S doesn't want an old e39 and c280 shipped out to Cali on trades for the M3.

[TD]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

Could you use something as a trade for the next car transaction? Probably too late for the M3…

I could see doing that with the two remaining. The E46 would not have gotten nearly as much in trade as I got selling it, maybe as little as 50% of the selling price.

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by TD

I could see doing that with the two remaining. The E46 would not have gotten nearly as much in trade as I got selling it, maybe as little as 50% of the selling price.

Oh, yes. Definitely not the E46. Was thinking primarily of the Mercedes.

[lemming]

Originally Posted by TD

I could see doing that with the two remaining. The E46 would not have gotten nearly as much in trade as I got selling it, maybe as little as 50% of the selling price.

That sounds like it worked out for you. Good car decision there. What was it like, to list the E46M3? Did it go pretty quickly?

Hope the path forward is smooth for you, re: sell e39 and the c280.