All EVs lose value fast, so pick the one you like best and enjoy it.
EVs, especially pricey Mercedes models, aren’t bought for resale value. You might see a little better retention on something like an older Tesla or a Nissan Leaf, but you’re not getting the Mercedes experience with those.
A big part of the depreciation on Mercedes is from when the warranty ends and maintenance costs kick in. I think the EQ models might hold up a bit better long-term since they need less maintenance than gas models.
Haru said:
Honestly, they’re both going to lose value pretty fast.
Do you think the EQE will be worth around $20K in three years? And maybe the EQS at $30K?
Several reasons why they might drop:
The technology is moving fast; the current EQ models are already behind in charging speeds. Facelift EQ models in 2025 will have bigger batteries, and the next-gen platform coming after that will charge a lot faster. Plus, Mercedes is planning to switch from CCS to NACS.
Also, there’s concern over battery quality—some EQ models have had high-profile battery fires, especially in South Korea, where they lost all value after an EQ fire in a parking structure.
Mercedes is phasing out the EQ branding and the ‘jellybean’ designs, so these models will be short-lived, which could make it hard to find parts down the line.
@Charlie
Losing 15K over four years isn’t terrible. OP could lose more with a lease. I leased mine because those kinds of prices weren’t available back then. My EQE SUV was 64K, and the EQS SUV was 85K.
A friend of mine said the EQ sedans are going for 45-50K. The SUVs are a bit higher at 55-60K, which is honestly a steal compared to a Tesla Model X.
@Sam
I think it depends on the area. Near me, I’m seeing EQS 450+ SUVs with around 10K miles listed for under $50K within a 100-mile radius.
If I were shopping right now, I’d think about getting one. Even if it drops to $15K in three years, that’s about $35K in depreciation. Meanwhile, a new S500 is around $90K, and a four-year-old one goes for roughly $50K. So, there’s actually less of a dollar loss here.
If you consider the federal tax credit in the U.S., new EQS models are roughly 20% off MSRP, so you might end up paying around $90K. That’s bad in terms of depreciation, but not far from what you’d see with an S-Class gas model dropping from $130K to $50K over the same period.
For a $90K car, it’s rough, but Mercedes has had resale issues for years, way before EVs were even around.
Sam said: @Charlie
I think the fact that it’s only rear-wheel drive doesn’t help its resale value.
True. I had my EQB dual-motor 4MATIC in for service and got a loaner EQS 450. Even in sport mode, it would get left behind by my EQB (up to its 99mph speed cap, at least).
That said, I could see myself enjoying the range and comfort in the EQS, even with the slower acceleration. It’s a lot better than the base rear-wheel-drive EQB. My old 90s Geo Metro felt like a race car compared to that one.