Black Series Auction Prices

[spifffs]

Hi guys i was just wondering if anyone had any solid data on what our black series cars are going for at the auction block....my dad wanted to pick one up after driving mine a bit and i had heard that they were selling at auction from 60-67k depending on mileage and color. anybody have any hard data on those numbers?

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[JamE55]

Where'd you hear that? $60-67k? That's just crazy! Btw. Do you work for Shoreline MS?

[Eitan1]

I dont know if they are selling for that low of a price at auctions, and if they are, then they must be high mileage and not clean or have even had body work. I do know that they are going in the high 70's to mid 80's when clean and with 6 to 10,000 miles. Any lower mileage is probably going for high mid to high 80's.

[4ociousE55]

Originally Posted by spifffs

Hi guys i was just wondering if anyone had any solid data on what our black series cars are going for at the auction block....my dad wanted to pick one up after driving mine a bit and i had heard that they were selling at auction from 60-67k depending on mileage and color. anybody have any hard data on those numbers?

I've been thinking of adding an R63 to my collection of limited production AMGs and would like to know your impression of it. Didn't you just buy yours?

[spifffs]

i did just buy it in april, i found one that had 25k miles from a dealer in vegas, it was a mercedes executives vehicle. i bought it for 50k out the door with t&L and am super happy with it. i then took it to shoreline motoring, where i have taken about 5 of my cars in the past and then to evosport Evosport modded W251 R63 AMG (pics)

but i actually get more attention/stares and interest from people in the r class than i do my black series....my black is still stock but still i would think that people would gravitate toward it...either way the r class is an amazing car, i work in AZ and drive probably 1000 miles a week back and forth from newport beach to az and its super comfortable, and i can get to az in a little over 3 hours from the beach.

as for the auction prices, i had a gentleman tell me those prices that a red clk black went at auction in may with 4200 miles for 67k and a silver one in may with 6k miles for 64.5 he showed me a print out but did not let me keep it. i could be wrong but i would love some evidence to show what these things are selling for so that i can get my guy working on finding them at auction for my dad.

[c32AMG-DTM]

Originally Posted by spifffs

as for the auction prices, i had a gentleman tell me those prices that a red clk black went at auction in may with 4200 miles for 67k and a silver one in may with 6k miles for 64.5 he showed me a print out but did not let me keep it. i could be wrong but i would love some evidence to show what these things are selling for so that i can get my guy working on finding them at auction for my dad.

Wow. That would be, what... over 50% depreciation in 2 years (or less) and about 5K miles?

[SMP]

Originally Posted by spifffs

i did just buy it in april, i found one that had 25k miles from a dealer in vegas, it was a mercedes executives vehicle. i bought it for 50k out the door with t&L and am super happy with it. i then took it to shoreline motoring, where i have taken about 5 of my cars in the past and then to evosport Evosport modded W251 R63 AMG (pics)

but i actually get more attention/stares and interest from people in the r class than i do my black series....my black is still stock but still i would think that people would gravitate toward it...either way the r class is an amazing car, i work in AZ and drive probably 1000 miles a week back and forth from newport beach to az and its super comfortable, and i can get to az in a little over 3 hours from the beach.

as for the auction prices, i had a gentleman tell me those prices that a red clk black went at auction in may with 4200 miles for 67k and a silver one in may with 6k miles for 64.5 he showed me a print out but did not let me keep it. i could be wrong but i would love some evidence to show what these things are selling for so that i can get my guy working on finding them at auction for my dad.

I bet you get more attention and stares in the R63.......you have to admit, it has some similarities to a Hearse

[i_am_amused]

Originally Posted by SMP

I bet you get more attention and stares in the R63.......you have to admit, it has some similarities to a Hearse

my uncle drove a hearse as a daily driver way back when (1960 or so). I want one, preferably while still breathing.

[c32AMG-DTM]

So, to the OP... did anyone confirm current auction prices for you?

[chuck z]

Originally Posted by c32AMG-DTM

So, to the OP... did anyone confirm current auction prices for you?

Asking prices sure don't appear to support the auction prices quoted by the OP? Besides, what does it matter unless you have access to the auctions?

[chuck z]

Originally Posted by 4ociousE55

I've been thinking of adding an R63 to my collection of limited production AMGs and would like to know your impression of it. Didn't you just buy yours?

I agree, the R looks like a hearse. Why not go for the E63 wagon? A LOT better looking, fast as hell and about as rare.....

[c32AMG-DTM]

Originally Posted by chuck z

Asking prices sure don't appear to support the auction prices quoted by the OP? Besides, what does it matter unless you have access to the auctions?

Two points, I suppose.

One - sellers usually aren't as "in-touch" with values as auctions... more so as the velocity of asset value fluctuation increases, IMHO. So, while somewhat dependent upon circumstances, auction prices are usually much closer to "true" current market value than asking prices (especially when dealing with depreciating assets), making them handy to know for purposes of making an offer and/or negotiating a price whether one has direct access to auctions or not.

Two - while I've never directly pursued this route myself, it's regularly been posted that some people/businesses with auction access will facilitate a purchase for a client for a modest markup fee (few hundred bucks, give or take). So, if someone's really interested in a particular auction example, they can probably get it for +$300-400 on top of the auction price... easy money for the dealer, competitive price for the buyer - what's not to like?

[chuck z]

Originally Posted by c32AMG-DTM

Two points, I suppose.

One - sellers usually aren't as "in-touch" with values as auctions... more so as the velocity of asset value fluctuation increases, IMHO. So, while somewhat dependent upon circumstances, auction prices are usually much closer to "true" current market value than asking prices (especially when dealing with depreciating assets), making them handy to know for purposes of making an offer and/or negotiating a price whether one has direct access to auctions or not.

Huh? If you brought this BS to me if I'm selling a car I'd probably hang up on you..... Auction prices are usually much closer to "true" current market value than asking prices???? I guess if you have access to an auction where there happens to be a BS going through it might be but, I have a feeling there will be less and less auction activity than in months past. This may be true for high production cars but sounds like a buyers way to justify a low ball offer to a seller to me.......

Originally Posted by c32AMG-DTM

Two - while I've never directly pursued this route myself, it's regularly been posted that some people/businesses with auction access will facilitate a purchase for a client for a modest markup fee (few hundred bucks, give or take). So, if someone's really interested in a particular auction example, they can probably get it for +$300-400 on top of the auction price... easy money for the dealer, competitive price for the buyer - what's not to like?

I guess if you have the access nothing but most people do not so posting auction values does only one thing - lower the expectations about what buyers think a BS should sell for.

[c32AMG-DTM]

Originally Posted by chuck z

Huh? If you brought this BS to me if I'm selling a car I'd probably hang up on you..... Auction prices are usually much closer to "true" current market value than asking prices???? I guess if you have access to an auction where there happens to be a BS going through it might be but, I have a feeling there will be less and less auction activity than in months past. This may be true for high production cars but sounds like a buyers way to justify a low ball offer to a seller to me.......

"I have a feeling..." huh?

Point is, vehicle auctions don't have the same emotional attachments, rationalizations, justifications, etc. that an individual seller may have - it's just vehicles changing hands at what could be construed as dealer-wholesale pricing. Which should be between trade-in and retail values, so consequently should be a decent proxy for a true current market value for the vehicle... the more recent the auction transaction(s) occurred, the better - could be worth $3k more than a month ago, or might be $5k less... but, "it is what it is."

I guess if you have the access nothing but most people do not so posting auction values does only one thing - lower the expectations about what buyers think a BS should sell for.

Are you arguing against buyers being informed consumers, then? Hey, someone might be able to convince a potential buyer that his CLK63BS is worth a premium for X, Y, and Z reasons... more power to 'em. It's also possible that someone could pull a "fast-one" on somebody and get well above market for one - I wouldn't think it's likely, but who knows? Regardless, I'm not sure why posting auction values would be a sensitive topic - they are frequently posted in the more heavily traffic'd AMG sub-forums, and I don't recall anyone ever minding...?

Q: What's a car worth? A: whatever someone's willing to pay for it. That isn't just cars - works well with pretty-much anything. One could ask $150k for a CLK63BS, even today; citing exclusivity, limited production, future collector appeal, etc... they just wouldn't be able to sell it.

BTW - full disclosure, I'm just a curious bystander, I am not in the market for a CLK63BS at present or in the immediate future. They are phenomenal cars, though - congrats on your ownership of one.

[chuck z]

I agree with much of this post but, like most who post on this subject it from a buyers perspective UNTIL that said buyer actually becomes an owner! It's happened here on more than one occaision.......

[neilbo75]

Originally Posted by chuck z

I agree, the R looks like a hearse. Why not go for the E63 wagon? A LOT better looking, fast as hell and about as rare.....

Chappy posted a funny video on the main CLK AMG forum about drifting a hearse. Hearses in fact are stretched E class wagons.

Last year AMG gave me a ride from Stuttgart to Afalterbach in an R. It's a very rare car in Europe - I gather in the 'States as well. From the inside I was impressed with the room but it didn't look very AMGish. From the outside I kind of like it - although i would avoid black as the color (this one was silver). The car was smooth and powerful with a firm ride.

[forhamilton]

It has been interesting to watch the values of these cars the past few months. The retail values appear to have crept up a bit, but the cars are not moving. The same group of cars has been listed on Autotrader for months with only an exception or two.

I sincerely wish I would have bought one of these 3 months ago. Multiple could have been had in the low to mid 70's. I have now decided to look at almost any color preference. I will hopefully find one in the mid 70's and I might pay a little more for a white one.

[jl88]

05/14/09 NEVADA Lease $83,250 2,518 Above MRS RED 8G A Yes
05/21/09 RIVRSIDE Lease $75,000 14,180 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes
05/29/09 RIVRSIDE Factory $87,250 8,245 Above SILVER 8G A No
06/11/09 MANHEIM Regular $75,750 6,577 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes
07/16/09 RIVRSIDE Regular $74,000 14,857 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes
07/16/09 RIVRSIDE Regular $71,500 15,209 Avg SILVER 8G A Yes

[chuck z]

Originally Posted by jl88

05/14/09 NEVADA Lease $83,250 2,518 Above MRS RED 8G A Yes

Pretty old, couldn't find this one.

Originally Posted by jl88

05/21/09 RIVRSIDE Lease $75,000 14,180 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes

Pretty old, couldn't find this one.

Originally Posted by jl88

05/29/09 RIVRSIDE Factory $87,250 8,245 Above SILVER 8G A No

Could be this one? If so, they're losing a ton of $.....http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

Originally Posted by jl88

06/11/09 MANHEIM Regular $75,750 6,577 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes

Could not find this one.

Originally Posted by jl88

07/16/09 RIVRSIDE Regular $74,000 14,857 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...&standard=true

Originally Posted by jl88

07/16/09 RIVRSIDE Regular $71,500 15,209 Avg SILVER 8G A Yes

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

[c32AMG-DTM]

Originally Posted by chuck z

Pretty old, couldn't find this one.




Pretty old, couldn't find this one.



Could be this one? If so, they're losing a ton of $.....http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false




Could not find this one.




http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...&standard=true





http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

Wow, great sleuthing chuck! Agree on the MBUSA one - a never-titled CLK63BS, 8k miles, for $78k retail sounds like a steal... will be a lucky owner who snatches that one up.

[ndabunka]

I am one who bought a car through a broker (Close friend of my younger brothers). I actually attended the auction with him and negotiated the deal on the car after it went through the line without meeting reserve. Apparently, negotiating afterwards like this is VERY common. I paid 20% less than the market rate at that time so it saved me $5K. This was some 6 years ago but the process and ratios have not changed. I checked into it again before I bought my most recent car. It is the same for the more expensive models as well so the spreads listed above appear realistic.

If you want a REAL bargain, take a look at those R-series on the auction. They were never a real big hit here in the states having landed somewhere between an SUV and a Minivan I do know that the local Benz dealership was taking $30K off the higher end ones and people still would not bite and that was BEFORE this "recession" so it was not the cause. I personally was drooling over one but could not convince the wife to trade in the GX470...

[jl88]

CLK63 BS is a steal for someone looking to add a 2-seater. The car is sick sick sick.

Unfortunately, I don't have a room in the garage. I would love to pick one up though since I am/was an AMG fan.

[sechsgang]

ya, auction prices for these are definitely pretty shallow right now. I just cant understand why people always think their car is worth thousands of dollars more than it is at times. Hell, I got over all that stuff really fast after probably tanking nearly 100k in cars in the last year or two...hell, my maserati is already 12k less than when i bought it used...only auctioning for 74!

[chuck z]

Originally Posted by sechsgang

ya, auction prices for these are definitely pretty shallow right now. I just cant understand why people always think their car is worth thousands of dollars more than it is at times. Hell, I got over all that stuff really fast after probably tanking nearly 100k in cars in the last year or two...hell, my maserati is already 12k less than when i bought it used...only auctioning for 74!

I guess you're speaking about auction prices in general as I don't think anyone has posted auction prices on the BS in quite some time except for the lemon in FL?

Do you trade or sell them yourself?

[transferred]

Originally Posted by sechsgang

ya, auction prices for these are definitely pretty shallow right now. I just cant understand why people always think their car is worth thousands of dollars more than it is at times. Hell, I got over all that stuff really fast after probably tanking nearly 100k in cars in the last year or two...hell, my maserati is already 12k less than when i bought it used...only auctioning for 74!

The BS guys are very touchy their car isn't immune to depreciation. I too have learned that no matter how great the car (both my gone and missed E39 M5 and 996 GT3 spring to mind) you're going to lose money on it. I've bought everything but the S (from a close friend) from new so I'm not one of those guys who tries to get a steal at some else's expense...Don't really see why depreciation matters at this point, drive them and enjoy them and just keep them if the hits going to hurt you....or buy houses.

-Rob