Articles Search Engine

Any Mercedes-Benz is a fine automobile and worthy of the very best care. In fact all it takes is a little extra care for the vehicle to retain more of its value. That’s important at trade-in time. There’s no better way to keep your fine machine looking “just waxed” and in mint condition than using a Mercedes-Benz car cover when the car is not in use.

To see how using a car cover will affect the resale value of your Mercedes-Benz you need to understand how the used car buying and selling industry valuates used cars. In most cases, buyers and sellers alike use the information published by Kelly Blue Book (KBB). The “Blue Book” value of any automobile is based on a condition grade of poor, fair, good or excellent. The value difference between a car in fair condition and the same automobile in good condition is typically $1,000 or more. On a recent model Mercedes-Benz the difference is much higher.

Let’s take a 2007 S550 sedan and use it as an example. With all other conditions being equal, a 2007 S550 sedan with an “excellent exterior” condition is valued $2,100 higher (5% of the value) than the same vehicle with an exterior in “good condition.” This is only a single example. In my research, I discovered other Mercedes-Benz models with a much higher value difference between excellent and good, including the incredible CL65 AMG Coupe. A 2008 CL65 AMG Coupe in perfect condition is valued at $98,530 but drops a whopping $4,900 (5% of the value) if the exterior condition is degraded to “good” condition. Only Lexus has a value drop close to the Mercedes-Benz line for minor discrepancies and damage to the paintwork. Could it be Mercedes-Benz’s new ceramic paint system that’s making the difference? I suspect that it is.

You might be asking yourself if a ready-fit car cover is appropriate. After all, they are available off-the-shelf at a mere fraction of the price. My strong recommendation is that you don’t even consider it as an option. Based on my own personal experience with cheap car covers, I only recommend products made by Covercraft and Coverking. Their custom-fit covers are premium quality and they are made right here in the USA. Plus, both companies feature computer controlled construction using the best fabrics available anywhere in the world. You get a perfect fit for your car, guaranteed. I think the incredible fit shows off the classic lines of the car, but the real purpose of making it so snug is to prevent the possibility of damage to your vehicle’s fine paintwork.

While your local Mercedes-Benz dealer can order a “factory original” car cover for you, I promise you that it’s not the same quality. The real issue is that your dealer can only offer you one fabric choice. If one fabric was suitable to all climate conditions, I guess that would be okay, but it’s not. If UV protection from the sun is your only concern, a factory cover might do the job, but it’s not really the premium quality your Mercedes-Benz deserves.

For the money and piece of mind, a high-quality Covercraft or Coverking custom car cover is the smart choice. They offer the best fit and the widest selection of materials for indoor, outdoor, weatherproof or something for all use conditions. What’s more, you will have a choice of colors and specialty features, such as custom logos.

Hey ladies, a custom-fit car cover also makes a wonderful gift. I know, because I received one as a holiday gift more than ten years ago and I still have it today. So, if your special man is a car guy and loves to pamper his Benz, pamper him with the gift of a cover for his car. It’s a gift he will appreciate every time he uses it.

If you’re considering giving one as gift for Christmas, Valentines Day or even a Birthday, think about where and how he will use it. If your Mercedes-Benz man pampers his car and tucks it away in the garage before going to bed, what he needs is an indoor car cover. If he drives an SL model, remember that storage space is tight, so a heavy 4-layer cover will be an issue. If he needs protection for outdoor parking, be sure to compare fabrics that work both indoors and out.

In all cases, consider a locking cable and a storage bag. The locking cable helps with theft protection. You will sleep better at night knowing both car and cover are safe and sound.

A custom-fit car cover from Covercraft or Coverking is one of the few car accessories that will help you retain the long-term value of your Mercedes-Benz. My research shows that a recent model Mercedes-Benz decreases in value by 5% or more when the condition of the paintwork drops from “excellent” to “good”. This is likely due to the cost to recondition the ceramic paint system that’s unique to your car. All it takes is a few door dings, minor scratches or paint chips and your vehicle will no longer be pristine. That’s why it’s so important to protect it. When you keep it covered you keep it safe from a dangerous world that will otherwise chip away at the fine finish.