If there is one thing that I see time after time that drives price, it’s mileage. I know low mileage often tracks with condition, but something about everyone seeing a low number and it takes an otherwise average used vehicle and suddenly puts a price premium on it. I know I’m not exactly announcing a ground-breaking discovery here and this has been around since well before my time, but is it still always interesting to see played out time after time. Today’s car, a 2002 Mercedes-Benz S430, is a perfect example of that.
The pre-facelift W220 S-Class was an utterly forgettable car in almost every way, including the plagued S600 with the M137. Quality was not good and durability was straight-up bad, and most of them are withering away with very little demand given all the other S-Class options out there. However, find one with really low mileage, and suddenly everyone is clamoring over it.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2002 Mercedes-Benz S430 on eBay
Year: 2002
Model: S430
VIN: WDBNG70J82A288137
Engine: 4.3 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 17,744 Mi
Location: Clackamas, Oregon
Price: $22,999 Buy It Now
2002 MERCEDES-BENZ S430 SEDAN 4DR
ONLY 2 OWNERS
4.3L V8 GASOLINE
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
17.744 ORIGINAL MILES
LEATHER SEATS, SUNROOF, POWER WINDOWS, POWER SEATS, AIRBAGS, CD PLAYER, AM/FM RADIO, CRUISE CONTROL, MICHELIN TIRES
CLEAN AND CLEAR TITLE
CALL
503-791-7441ASK FOR ROBERT
Accepted payment methods:
– Cash in person
– Secure bank to bank wire transfer
– Certified bank check– $1,000 Non-refundable deposit within 24 hours
– Full payment with in 72 hours
This is a great example to see what buyers were looking at when they were pitched the W220 when new. Gone was the stoic and squared-off looks of the W140 and in was the much softer, more inviting roundness of the W220. Every US-spec W220 also came with a little screen in the center console as well. Everyone in the early 2000s loved screens. Yes, it wasn’t far from a 64-bit display, but a screen is a screen. Thankfully, the powertrain was the most robust part of the car with the mighty M113 V8 and tough as nails 722.6 five-speed automatic transmission.
This S430 with 18,000 miles sure looks the part, but judging by the past prices I’ve linked above before the jump, is overpriced at $23,000. Even more so because it is a pre-facelift car. Realistically it is probably worth under $20,000, which admittedly isn’t that far off, so maybe there is some wiggle room. Still, throw some miles on this one and that $20,000 value will not remain.
– Andrew
Yet another example of how insane prices are. Regardless of low miles this car was probably worth $15k 2 years ago. $23k would have been all the money for a low mile S55.