April 2024: The Market Awakens
April marks the beginning of the active buying season in the used car market. We analyse what you can expect this month and which strategies pay off.
Expected Market Development April 2024
Price Forecast by Segment
| Segment | March 2024 | April Forecast | Development |
|---|
| Convertibles | +5% | +8-10% | Strongly rising |
| Roadsters | +4% | +6-8% | Rising |
| Sedans | stable | stable | Unchanged |
| Estates | stable | +1-2% | Slightly rising |
| SUVs | -2% | -3-4% | Continuing to fall |
| Diesel | -3% | -2-3% | Continuing to fall |
Seasonal Factors
| Factor | Impact | Affected Segments |
|---|
| Spring beginning | Strongly positive | Convertibles, Roadsters |
| Vehicle tax increase | Neutral | All |
| Easter holidays | Slightly positive | Family cars |
| EU emission debate | Negative | Diesel |
Brand-Specific Outlooks
BMW April 2024
| Model | Current Price | April Forecast | Recommendation |
|---|
| E46 320Ci Convertible | €12,500 | €13,500-14,000 | Wait |
| Z3 2.8i | €13,800 | €14,500-15,500 | Wait |
| E39 525i | €7,200 | €7,200-7,400 | Buy now |
| E46 Touring | €6,800 | €6,800-7,000 | Buy now |
| X5 E53 3.0d | €11,500 | €10,800-11,200 | Wait |
BMW Highlights:
- Z models beginning seasonal increase
- 5 Series E39 sedan offers best value
- X5 E53 still under pressure due to consumption
Mercedes April 2024
| Model | Current Price | April Forecast | Recommendation |
|---|
| SLK R170 | €11,200 | €12,000-12,800 | Wait |
| CLK 230K Convertible | €14,500 | €15,500-16,500 | Wait |
| W210 E280 | €6,500 | €6,500-6,800 | Buy now |
| W203 Estate | €5,800 | €5,800-6,000 | Buy now |
| ML W163 | €8,200 | €7,600-8,000 | Wait |
Mercedes Highlights:
- SLK entering peak season
- E-Class W210 remains stable and attractive
- ML W163 offers entry opportunity for patient buyers
Audi April 2024
| Model | Current Price | April Forecast | Recommendation |
|---|
| TT 8N Roadster | €9,800 | €10,500-11,200 | Wait |
| A4 B6 Convertible | €11,500 | €12,200-13,000 | Wait |
| A4 B6 1.8T | €5,200 | €5,200-5,400 | Buy now |
| A6 C5 Avant | €6,800 | €6,800-7,000 | Buy now |
| Q7 4.2 TDI | €15,800 | €14,800-15,500 | Wait |
Audi Highlights:
- TT Roadster with significant price increase expected
- A4 sedan and Avant stable base
- Q7 offers buying opportunity later in the year
Buying Strategies April 2024
Situation: Needs a vehicle now
| Category | Recommendation | Budget Tip |
|---|
| Sedan | BMW E39, Mercedes W210 | From €6,000 possible |
| Estate | BMW E46 Touring, Audi A4 Avant | From €5,500 possible |
| Convertible | Only with strong negotiation | Offer 15% below asking |
| SUV | Wait or negotiate hard | Prices still falling |
Strategy 2: The Patient Buyer
Situation: Can wait 3-6 months
| Wish | Best Buy Time | Savings |
|---|
| Convertible | September-November | 15-20% |
| Roadster | October-December | 12-18% |
| SUV | June-August | 5-10% |
| Diesel | Now or later | Trend downward |
Strategy 3: The Investor
Situation: Looking for appreciation potential
| Model | Current Price | Potential 5 Years |
|---|
| BMW E30 Convertible | €18,000+ | +30-50% |
| Mercedes W124 Convertible | €20,000+ | +25-40% |
| BMW Z1 | €45,000+ | +20-35% |
| Audi RS4 B5 Avant | €55,000+ | +40-60% |
Budget Recommendations April 2024
Up to €5,000
| Model | Realistic Finding | Condition |
|---|
| Audi A4 B5 1.8 | €3,500-4,500 | Good, higher mileage |
| BMW E36 316i | €3,000-4,500 | Good, check for rust |
| Mercedes W202 C180 | €3,500-4,800 | Good, avoid automatic |
€5,000 - €10,000
| Model | Realistic Finding | Condition |
|---|
| BMW E39 525i | €6,500-8,500 | Good to very good |
| Mercedes W210 E280 | €5,500-7,500 | Good to very good |
| Audi A4 B6 1.8T | €5,000-7,000 | Very good |
€10,000 - €15,000
| Model | Realistic Finding | Condition |
|---|
| BMW E46 330i | €10,000-13,000 | Very good |
| Mercedes W211 E320 | €11,000-14,000 | Very good |
| Audi A6 C6 3.0 TDI | €12,000-15,000 | Very good |
Negotiation Tips for April
For Convertibles (rising market)
| Argument | Potential | Application |
|---|
| ”Season just started” | Low | Early in month |
| ”Maintenance needed” | Medium | With defects |
| ”Immediate cash payment” | Medium | Private sales |
| ”Comparison offers” | High | Always use |
For Sedans/Estates (stable market)
| Argument | Potential | Application |
|---|
| ”High mileage” | High | Over 150,000 km |
| ”Maintenance due” | Medium | Older models |
| ”Different colour preference” | Medium | Unpopular colours |
| ”Quick decision” | Medium | Long-standing stock |
April 2024 Conclusion
April 2024 offers mixed opportunities: Sedans and estates are available at fair prices, while convertibles and roadsters enter the expensive spring season. SUVs and diesel models continue to show weakness.
Our Top 3 Recommendations:
- BMW E39 525i/530i - Classic at fair price, stable values
- Mercedes W210 E-Class - Excellent value for money
- Audi A4 B6 Avant - Solid daily companion under €6,000
Hands Off in April:
- All convertibles - Waiting for autumn saves 15-20%
- BMW Z3/Z4 - Seasonal price increase begins
- Mercedes SLK - October offers better prices
Forecasts based on our continuous market analysis. As of: April 1, 2024