bcr4d

08 C300 4matic certified until July 2013 with 40K miles. Nav., sport package, very clean. The other car is 08 C350, Nav., sport package and is in very good condition. With the C350 the factory warranty will run out the end of April or in another 1500 miles. I test drove the 300 first and was very pleased. The awd kept it planted in the curves. Then I test drove the C350. Car has plenty of grunt, and this coming from driving a CLK 550. I'm leaning towards the C350 even though the warranty is almost up. My thoughts are to purchase the C350, take it to a Merc dealer and have them go over it from head to toe and fix anything that is suspect. Then since I'll still have another 1500 miles and almost 2 months until the factory warranty runs out pick up a third party warranty for piece of mind. The awd is not a deal breaker for me because I sold my CLK 550 and picked up a E550 4matic, and I also have FX35 for snow duty. Is there a good warranty company out there that most Merc dealer will honor? I know the final decision is mine but just want to know your thoughts. thanks

RLE

Looks like the C350 warranty expires in 500 miles, not 1500. You have to wonder why the C350 is being sold at the end of the warranty at a used car lot. If you don't want to pay for an MB dealer to examine this car closely now for defects while it's still in warranty, then you should walk away.

If you buy an extended warranty it must be purchased in most cases before the end of the factory warranty. I bought one for my '08 C300 at that point and paid $3800 for coverage of four more years or until 75K miles and it's now at 31K miles.

dgghostkilla

what are the prices?

bcr4d

C350 is 23,9XX and the C300 which is certified is listed for 26,9XX. I actually like both cars and could lean either way. They both have the same options. Just thinking whether 40 more hp is worth the risk. Didn't realize the warranty runs out in 500 miles. I thought the factory warranty was 4 years/50K miles.

dgghostkilla

if you were to get the c350, buying third party extended warranty on the c350 would still put you at a cheaper price than the c300.
just if possible buy the third party warranty cash or with an interest free credit card so you don't pay interest on the loan + extended warranty.
most people don't think about that.
why get a car loan for lets say $15,000 and then buy third party extended warranty for lets say $2000.00 grand total $17000 loan a lets say 4% interest.
I rather get a $15,000 loan on a 4% interest and either buy the extended warranty cash or buy it with an interest free credit card. thats my 2 cents on extended warranties
Also ask benz they might offer an extended warranty that you can buy prior to expiration of factory warranty.
I bought an extended warranty for my c300 at the benz dealer when i bought my car. i still haven't used it since in still at the factory warranty but the extended warranty is good at any benz dealer in the country.

TexFinn

I, personally, wouldn't trust any third party warranty companies. If the warranty is a must for you, I'd try to get one from MB, if possible. But that's just me.

Also, the prices seem a bit on the high side. IMO, that is. Of course the geographical area has a lot to with it, too, but the asking price of my wife's CPO'd 08 C350 with similar miles was $21.9K a couple of months ago, so I'd say you could probably do a bit better.

dgghostkilla

you MUST aways hustle them down on the price. never ever pay sticker price. I never do. i'll start with a big number so in the end "we compromise haha"

bcr4d

Thanks for the input. A warranty is a hit or miss thing for me. After the factory warranty ran out on my 550, I rolled the dice and came out lucky for the duration that I owned the car, which was a year. Never had any problems, but I also know that it could have went the other way. The more I think about it the more I want the 350. I will see how much it will be to certify the car for a couple more years. It will probably be around the price of the 300 which is certified.

tasho3

I say go for the 350, more fun to drive, and with the price difference on the the cars you can buy a warranty for the 350 and have a better car

LandSeaAir

Really surprised the C350 felt like it had grunt compared to your CLK550, that 550 motor is a beast! I'd probably go with the C350 as you already have a 4matic luxury sedan, it seems a sporty RWD Benz would be better for the pair.

bcr4d

Well, I went and purchased the 300 4matic. The color combo, black/black sold me. After I picked it up I could really tell the difference in the 40 hp between the two. But overall, I'm very pleased. Will post some pics this weekend. Thanks for all the input

RLE

Your post says the car has 49.5K miles which is 500 under 50K. Yes, it's 4yr/50K

bcr4d

I'm sorry, the actual mileage was 39.5K mile. I have 40,200 on it now. Very pleased with this car. The awd is amazing.

Stevedotmil

I see a tune in your future. Less than 1K and you will get a little closer to the power the C350 had.