Haffster

Saw an interesting one - it's a 2012 E30 4M, relatively low mileage, nicely optioned. When I asked about the history, they said it was a loaner - so has been nicely maintained (according to the MB dealership). It's done its time, they put a CPO on it and a fairly aggressive asking price.

Anyone has any experience buying a car like this?

My first blush reaction was that this is obviously not a well cared car by an owner who loved it. But then, I figured they are loaning this out to people who drive similar or better cars, plus - since the dealership owns it, maintenance should be have been upto the minute.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this - thanks

mnje350

This may not be a bad option. I can't speak for the MB buying public but I have treated every loaner I have had well. I really don't have them long enought to do any serious driving. But. .. my days of beating on a car are long past and I don't think that I could do any serious damage to a loaner anyhow. Short of hard exceleration, do that in my own car all of the time, and hard stops, there is not much damage that could be done. All that does is accelerate wear to the tires. Easily replaced. Now if someone was curbing the car and hitting every pothhole, that is a different story.

A serious suspension inspection and warranty should address those concerns and issues. I am thinking that a Benz owner who bought new and received loaner cars for routine service or warranty service are probably not out to beat the $__t out of their loaners. This may be a good option if the price is right.

Haffster

Thanks - that was my general conclusion as well. Will try and get it to my mechanic over the weekend and see how it goes.

pamiboy

Can you share with us what options the car has and what is the price?

mleskovar

All assumptions. Dealer would only do scheduled maintenance that it had to. Users wouldn't complain about small problems because it was just a temporary car. However no reason to think it was abused more than any other used car or even has any problems. If you get it buy extended warranty to set aside your doubt.

islandbeef

One thing's for sure, the gas cap should've gotten a lot of mileage.

Loaners need to be topped off before being returned.

Airmousam

Unless it's a smoking deal, and you really really want it.....I'd keep looking

Quadcammer

sorry, I wouldn't do it.

Most people already treat their own cars like crap. With a loaner, I bet they are in drive before the starter stops spinning and hard on the gas with it still cold.

There are so many cars out there, and this one appears to be generic, so I would seek other options.

rediesel

Never buy a rental. People don't respect other's property; some people barely respect their own.

El Cid

Only if it came with an additional three year, 30,000 mile warranty. I get loaners and treat them gently, but not everyone will. Let's say it is out on loan 200+ days per year and to 100 different people. That's a lot of opportunity for abuse.
Willing to bet that 50% or more of people who get loaners refill tank with cheapest gas they can find. I always use premium from same station I normally get my gas.

Haffster

- 2012 E350 4M
- 3 years in service, 1 year original warranty left + 2 years CPO
- 41,000 kms (approx 25k miles)
- Premium Package
- Launch edition package (Leather upholstery, leather dashboard, panoramic sunroof, HDD Nav).

I can see at least 10 vehicles that are identically equipped with similar mileage and age (all have 1 year original warranty + 2 years CPO).

Haffster

Asking price is C$43k (about US$34k)

pamiboy

Did you check Truecar or KBB for prices? The only extra option on this car seems to be leather. Everything else is just okay. Premium package is almost standard. Keep looking I would say unless you really want this car. You might have better bargaining power as there are several identical cars on the lot as you say.

islandbeef

Good point, we checked out Hertz Rental Purchase program and they had a fleet of 2013 GL 450's. Problem was, the cars were often damaged (various dings, scratches, wear and tear) but were priced like they were in mint condition.

We passed on that and went straight to the dealership for a low mileage CPO.

rookiezxc

His car is also equipped with the panoramic roof. Seems a good deal to me, just need a pair of attention to details eyes to me

I got my C250 as a corporate vehicle from mb dealer before. The rear seats were never used, door sills were still wrapped nicely (rears) mileage 8.5k less than a year old for about 2/3rd of its brand new price (out of the door)

Never had any issue with it, it's a CPO car, any issue? Bring it to the dealer and say umm, I just got this car recently, cpo, bla bla bla, and they'll do things for you even cleaning your windshield just because it's streaking

Oh yeah, can't find a single ding on the car either, unless the aluminium panels on the driver sight, tiny ones, I can live with it knowing the price

Take a look on here, under the appearance box.
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/cpo#!l...-certification

"A Certified Pre-Owned vehicle is a clean-skinned beauty, as free as dings, dents, rips, scratches, and scuffs as we can make it, with high quality fit and finish, inside and out."

Found a ding? Just tell them and quote from their cpo statement They're very oriented to assure customer satisfaction, more than other brands IMO

bob2011

I would say run as fast as you can the other way. The rentals I have gotten have had something that grossed me out in them. Everything from dog hairs to strange liquids that I failed to recognize. Let's not even start with the exterior blemishes...

Airmousam

Gotta be better deals out there than that loaner. this one was the first that popped up on CL. I know it's not CPO, but that's only 11 seconds of searching..also 15k miles

http://nh.craigslist.org/ctd/4915803160.html

rookiezxc

This one is a pretty good deal too, I just prefer having black/gray/white on the E class

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/4925060481.html

Haffster

You guys get much better deals in the US than us poor Canadians! I think I'll pass on the loaner, if only because there are quite a few similar vehicles around. I really like this other one which was much better equipped (disctronic Plus, driving assist, heated rear seats, over and above premium and launch packages), but am leaning more towards a lower mileage one but with less options.

VelaFella

The one thing I have noticed about loaners, regardless of manufacturer, is that they lack a lot of bells and whistles. They tend to be the base-price model. If that's okay with you, then fine. But a lot of the attractiveness of high-end cars are the bells and whistles, in particular with the newer models, some amazing safety technology.

PeteInGilroy

If I am given a loaner, same make/model as mine, I will drive it like it was mine because there is nothing interesting. If the dealer loaned me a C400 in place of my C300, you better know I will definitely be checking the added power. I would have my foot in it all the time.

I agree most loaners a strippers and not something I would purchase.

If you have ever rented a car from Hertz, Alamo, etc. you see how beat up they are. They allow you to return a car with dents the size of golf ***** with no additional charges. People just don't take care of or treat loaners the same as their own.

mnje350

Most of the loaners that I have received when either my E or S is in for service have been loaded with all of the bells and whistles. I have never seen one that appears beat on either. I am guessing that the people who get loaner cars from the MB dealer are not the same calibur a driver as the typical Avis or Hertz renter. Different circumstances, different driver. I will drive these loaners hard to see what they have but I figure that they are built for that. I think that you could assume that the break-in period has not been respected however.

VegasE

The car will have been washed, and likely waxed, much more than a comparable one-owner used car. Loaners typically get washed after every use so you need to look closely for issues with the paint/finish (swirl marks, etc), particularly if the dealer uses an automated car wash.


You can also assume significant mileage running on regular gas due to cheap folks topping it off prior to return.


For whatever reason, loaners usually sell for less than an comparable one-owner used car.

Airmousam

^^^
Good point on the fuel used!

El Cid

When my "E" is serviced, I generally get a "C," but have gotten an "E". Don't recall any of them having more than the basic package. Why would a dealership want to invest the extra money in a car that someone will only drive one-two days? They will sell it in a couple of years, but still.
They have been clean, but all of them were also parked outdoors all the time. Also doubt they were waxed that often.