Options that are worth more than list price on resale?

[Ari]

We're always told that options on new cars are worth a fraction of their original cost at best on resale. I've been keeping a roving eye on SLK prices, and every time I spot a "cheap" one it's because it's got cloth upholstery. I reckon there's getting on for £2,000 difference between identical cars, one with leather and one with cloth.

Given that it's probably a £1,000 option new, that bucks the trend in not only being worth every penny of it's original cost, but actually potentially even more than original.

Just wondered if there were any other "must haves" that enhanced used values by more than their original option cost? Can't be many that do that.

[DanielC4GP]

Air conditioning?

[BoostMonkey]

Parking Sensors? As individuals are increasingly seeing them as a requirement rather than an option. Thus car’s without them have to priced lower to sell.

[Bebop Beru]

Depending on the car, an Auto box

(thinking big barges here)

[RobM77]

On the SLK, Airscarf?

[Dr Interceptor]

MINI - Chilli Pack, especially on the Cooper S

A non Chilli car won't have Xenons unless specified outside the pack, and there is a limited market for a boggo MINI

[Ozzie Osmond]

Ari said:

SLK prices, and every time I spot a "cheap" one it's because it's got cloth upholstery. I reckon there's getting on for £2,000 difference between identical cars, one with leather and one with cloth.

Given that it's probably a £1,000 option new, that bucks the trend in not only being worth every penny of it's original cost, but actually potentially even more than original.

Hmmm, I doubt it's worth more than cost unless someone genuinely has bought a base car with lowest level leather as the ONLY option on the car. More likely there's other bits and pieces as well. Mercedes charge,

• £1,000 for basic leather, and
• £2,300 for Nappa leather.

[ZesPak]

SLK cloth upholstery, really? When we were looking for them I can't remember seeing one without leather. MX5's on the other hand...
but agreed on a convertible I think leather is worth the retail.

[johnpeat]

Almost no options retain any value - what SOME options do, tho, is make the car more resaleable.

The days that dealers added anything for 'options' are long gone (if they ever really did) - they'll simple drop their offer is a car has options (or in interior/exterior colour) which they think is less popular...

So that brown BMW with red leather seats and a manual box is less of a good idea eh?

[Bitzer]

Paint colour?

Boggo doom blue v resale silver, you would expect to get your money back at least.

[Ari]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Hmmm, I doubt it's worth more than cost unless someone genuinely has bought a base car with lowest level leather as the ONLY option on the car. More likely there's other bits and pieces as well. Mercedes charge,

• £1,000 for basic leather, and
• £2,300 for Nappa leather.

But the other bits and pieces don't make a significant difference, only leather does (ie you don't see cars with xenon's but everything else the same commanding a noticeable premium). There isn't even a noticeable difference between manual and auto (I guess being a sportscar manual is more acceptable, even preferred by some buyers).

The SLK is reasonably well equipped anyway so there are plenty that are not loaded up. However spot one for £1,500 - £2,000 less than normal and you'll almost guarantee that it's either high miles or it's cloth inside.

£995 for normal leather and £1,355 for Nappa by the way.

[bazking69]

Depends on the car. Some are very fickle with regards to right spec/colour/options.

[surveyor]

Every time I buy a fking car i am told that satnav/heated seats/leather/auto/manual* are desirable and add value.

Every time I sell a car I'm fking told that satnav/heated seats/leather/auto/manual* do not add any value.

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