vipsa

I would go look at this one ASAP. It looks like it has had the trans service done and it's a 4 matic too. 1 owner and recommended service done at 39k miles. Also, it's at 41k miles now so even if it wasn't done yet you can do it now without much worry that you're past due.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...&&aff=national

MikeCeltic

To get internet price you need to finance 80%. Loop hole lol.

Thanks a lot tho!

vipsa

I doubt if you go in with $17k cash, they'll say nah, we won't sell it to you.

tpdietz

I've have had my 2008 c300 4matic for 25k miles and have not had a single problem with the vehicle (purchased CPO with 59k miles). I have continued to keep my vehicle's maintenance up to date. Still running very smooth. I would recommend a w204 to anyone.

Good luck with your purchase.

For what it's worth, I just checked my local MB dealer's website. They have a 2008 c300 4matic with 57k with Nav, HK sound system, memory seats - non CPO - listed at $18.9k

MikeCeltic

Did you do the transmission fluid replacement?

MikeCeltic

Gave them a call, will try to get a sports grill in the deal somehow.

tpdietz

I did it myself. Check my sig for a DIY guide.

MikeCeltic

At how many miles?

Sportstick

I've taken advantage of deals on new cars which required financing to get the incentive. Just make sure there is no pre-payment penalty and pay it off in full a month or two after taking delivery. Not at all improper nor illegitimate, as the contract usually allows for that for those few who can do it. Most who finance need the full term to pay it off. Meanwhile, your interest cost is far less than the value of the price benefit you got by financing.

tpdietz

Fortunately, my vehicle had the trans serviced at 39k miles (as recommended by MB - before I bought the car) , and I did it myself at 79k miles. I will note, the trans fluid was far from black when I replaced it at 79k.

MikeCeltic

Gave me a price of 19,100 cash. Could do 800 less if I financed.

Sportstick

For that deal, he is getting an incentive from the financing company to write the business for them. If the car is good, and you can reach the $18,300, AND THERE IS NO PREPAYMENT PENALTY in the financing contract, the interest on a couple of months of payments will not come anywhere near the $800 savings. This stretches your budget, but the value might be quite good, if affordable.

MikeCeltic

If it was the sports model I would consider it. That's the only problem and it doesn't look like the transmission fluid was changed so I have to consider that cost.

Sportstick

Sounds like another no-go with that trans....sorry.

MikeCeltic

Hmm. So even at 60,000 if I do it, I already lost substantial life on the transmission?

TexFinn

Okay... There are a lot of knowledgeable people on this board and I definitely appreciate sharing all of it, but, IMO, this whole transmission thing just seems to be blown possibly a little bit out of proportion.

Sure, the life expectancy could have been shortened, but I just don't see it being that dramatic.

Then again, this is just my humble opinion and I do not have experience being MB mechanic or anything like that. No disrespect towards anybody.

MikeCeltic

I feel the same way MB can't expect everyone to have the service done at 39k miles. With a car that high of a caliber 20k should not even cause any damage to the transmission.

vipsa

The carfax clearly shows recommended maintenance at 39k miles done at an MBdealer. Call that dealer and ask them what they did for that VIN on that day. They'll tell you.

MikeCeltic

Owner has opted out. It's an extra service. I think he had the B service done that day and they wanted $490 for the transmission fluid change.

Sportstick

This is a matter of how much risk you are willing to tolerate. I tend toward the low side. Skipping the service increases the risk, but does not ensure failure, so how much risk can you afford? Check the price of a trans or major trans repair before deciding.

As to MB's expectations, the German culture is the most "by the book" society which produces cars. Inherent in their mindset is the expectation that you will not only read the manual, but abide by it as written...."why would you do anything differently", they would wonder, and look with dismay at the more casual approach of others. Quick old joke....when a German engineer was questioned as to why they did not have a tilt steering column, he answered, "We spent years to get it just right, and you want to change it?"

Yes, they expect you to do exactly what they tell you.

aznmode

I wonder the same about how much damage can 20k past transmission service will do. Is there statistical reports on this that the Op can look at? I'm just wondering. I had an integra that never had transmission service done and the engine died at 200k first before the transmission. Are mercedes cars really that sensitive? Maybe the Op will not even keep the car long enough for the transmission to fail.

fireline43

i would think the first transmission service at 39k could be beneficial just beacuse you clean out all the break in junk in the fluid. After that though I would'nt get it done for a long time.

LILBENZ230

Apples to basketballs comparison. Honda's old 4-speed auto versus the 7G.

To reiterate, no one said that failure to do the transmission service at 39,000 miles guarantees a premature failure. Doing the transmission service at 39,000 miles should increase the longevity.

The sad part is that even though Mercedes is clear in their instructions on maintaining the 7G, MBUSA dealers can't be trusted to do it properly.