mwaldron

My 335i lease is coming to an end within a month (YAY no more HPFP-failure-related trips to the dealer) and I'm looking to buy a fully loaded C350, 08 or 09 with 15-30k miles.

Saw a 2008/32k miles nearby at a Benz dealer that fits the bill. P1, P2, lighting package, heated seats, iPod, 18s, pano roof, all the trimmings except MB tex which is fine and preferred for me. The "Internet" price is $33,992. My question is what would be a fair price for something like this (which has all the options I desire and qualifies for the certified warranty):

CLICK THE PICTURE FOR THE CARS.COM LISTING

2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C350 Sport - $33,992
Dealer: W.I. Simonson Inc.

Is throwing an initial offer of $30k nuts?
How much would you pay for this car?

Also - How much does the certified warranty cost?

I'm coming to the transaction with 15k cash as a down.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

mat2hu

Talk to a guy named Hamlet over there.... if anybody can hook it up it would be him!

mwaldron

To be, or not to be, I there's the point,
To die, to sleep, is that all?

Sorry couldn't resist a little "Hamlet" humor.

Good to know about a contact at WIS, but still looking for what's a fair price point on something like/similar to the above.

I am Jeff

I had a 2009 C350 with the exact same options as above that I traded in 5 months ago and only had 4550 miles. They raped me with a trade in of 30k. They listed the forsale price as 35995. That should give you an idea of how much buffer they have in pricing. I would offer them 30k with a take it or leave it attitude.

Sportstick

edmunds.com

Used car appraisal.

Nice color!

ginkgo

Hmm.. i Bought my 2008 c350 on 7/09 for 31500. it had 6000 miles on it, it was certified, had Harmon kardon, flip up navi, with ipod. i think you can do better than 34k

snarlingchicken

I bought my 2009 C350 (P2, MM) brand new in September of 2009 (when the 2010 models were coming out) for $35k. I'm MORE than sure you can do better than that on a used 2008.

dandelos

Got my '08 C350 (21k miles) P1P2 no MM, 19" rims (see sig) for about 27k early last year. Private seller though. Hate dealing with dealers.

MBnewby

Pay no more than $31K for that car, it's still a buyer's market. I bet they'll take it.

mwaldron

Thanks to everyone for their input...

C300Sport

I would think high 20s should be able to get it. Let us know how it goes.

whiteongrey

Can get fully optioned C350 from Manheim auctions for $27-$28K right now

mwaldron

I couldn't find any near me for their public auctions as most are based in the mid-west. Also I don't mind paying a little extra for a certified car from a dealer... there is some piece-of mind (for me at least) doing it this way as I have recourse if there are 'issues'. Of course you could get lucky buying from an auction, but probably a bit too sketch for me.

Seems like the consensus from these replies are:

34k retail
30k decent deal
<=29k smokin deal

I think I'm going to angle for 29k with a certified warranty. If they come back with 30k I will take it.

Thanks again!

whiteongrey

Yeah Manheim needs licensed member to get the deals ongoing basis. The MBs there typically are from dealers or off-lease from the finance co. The vehicle grading is fairly accurate.

Best thing about getting from dealer is you can get the extended warranty.

encoder

I picked up my 08 C350 last August. CPO. 17k miles, no MM package, otherwise identically equipped. It was listed for 32k. My total deal (including them paying off some negative equity in my trade) left me paying about $30.5k excluding tax.

Edit: Correction.

Purchase Price: 29,558
Sales Tax: 1,625
DMV & Fees: 1263. (Most of this was FL fees because I wasn't transferring a registration, i needed new first-time plates, but I think $400 was MB/Dealership BS. I actually ended up getting a few hundred of this refunded via check. I think the dealership charged me the most DMV fees could possibly be and then refunded the rest).

Further Edit:

I've never worked in the industry but I'm fairly sure that the "2" as the last digit of the price means this is the 2nd time they've lowered the price on that car.

mwaldron

Never thought about that trailing digit... that's very interesting info.

Well I'm scheduled to test drive the above tomorrow and after that I'll start talking turkey with them..

Again, thanks for all the stellar replies.

Sportstick

Did you run the edmunds.com analysis...what price did it come up with?

mwaldron

Of course I took your advice!

Trade: 25.5k
Private: 28k
Dealer: 30.4k
Dealer certified: 32.5k

Seems like 29-30k is about as good as it will get for this particular C350 as it's heavily optioned and the miles are fairly modest.

mwaldron

Went to W.I. Simonsen - I still can't believe this, but they wouldn't even start negotiating. They wanted the $34k listed on the Cars.com ad. No kabuki dance, no nothing... take it or leave it. The sales guy had the ***** to say their cost was 32k, which considering the residual on my 48k BMW is 28k I call bs. Insult upon injury the sales guy said they are a "Carmax" type model - a "no haggle" price that's marked up like a "haggle" price. Yeah whatever.

The search continues...

dandelos

Sounds like you're in the LA area? Hang in there. When I got mine I was pretty much all over every dealership within 100 miles, Autotrader, and Craigslist. As I mentioned above I hated the feeling dealing with dealers so I eventually went with a private seller I found on Autotrader. Have been enjoying my car ever since.

Here are some 2008 C350 I found real quick --
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant...229464239.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...226581705.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv...226515837.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...225771649.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...225665710.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...225645120.html
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

MBnewby

If they have $32K in that car then they got screwed...most dealers would only pay $25-27k on trade. Bummer man... They'll probably find some sucka to buy it for $34k though...

mwaldron

I'm still poking around... I see a black C350 pretty bare-bones, but 2010 with 8k miles at Rusnak listed at 33.5k. After seeing the big screen in the C350 I drove, I really feel like I don't need it... Pano roof I didn't even notice once I was driving. I will probably just get this one if I can get them into the 31-32k area. Lots of warranty left and low miles. Edmunds says this is worth 32k at retail... so at least the starting price is close to fair value.

http://tinyurl.com/629v5tz

mwaldron

My favorite was the preaching about the "CarMax" model. If they can sell for 34k, more power to em!

dandelos

It probably doesn't have the same effect on dark-colored cars, but man I love the external color-contrasting look of my pano roof.

Sportstick

The Rusnak car may be a more realistic starting point, but if you want to take one last shot at the first car, here's what I would try. Get the name of the Sales Manager. Call after hours and leave a voicemail to the effect of:

I tried to buy this car from (salesman), but he refused to even negotiate. I am back to shopping other stores, but if you want to get this out of your floorplan, I'm ready to go at $30,500. (unless you want to CPO the car)

If you never get a return call, you had your best shot. I think you'll get a call and it will at least be in play. I'm guessing the next morning, there will be a "meeting" between the sales person and sales manager!