Good Deal?
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2013
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TBD
Good Deal?
Waiting to pull the trigger on a:
2008 C300 4Matic
62k Miles
Price: 17,000 w/o tax, registrations fees
P1 Package (nothing extra)
Clean inside and out.
North New Jersey Purchase.
Service History:
02/11/2009 13,245
Recommended maintenance performed
10/08/2009 22,876
Maintenance inspection completed
Recommended maintenance performed
Oil and filter changed
06/21/2010 33,057
Recommended maintenance performed
Oil and filter changed
Cabin air filter replaced
10/04/2010 36,734
Headlight bulb(s) replaced
Exterior light bulb(s) replaced
04/18/2011 43,591
Recommended maintenance performed
Exterior light bulb(s) replaced
Exterior lights checked
04/19/2012 54,333
Recommended maintenance performed
04/08/2013 62,367
Recommended maintenance performed
Tire condition and pressure checked
Camshaft adjuster solenoid replaced
2008 C300 4Matic
62k Miles
Price: 17,000 w/o tax, registrations fees
P1 Package (nothing extra)
Clean inside and out.
North New Jersey Purchase.
Service History:
02/11/2009 13,245
Recommended maintenance performed
10/08/2009 22,876
Maintenance inspection completed
Recommended maintenance performed
Oil and filter changed
06/21/2010 33,057
Recommended maintenance performed
Oil and filter changed
Cabin air filter replaced
10/04/2010 36,734
Headlight bulb(s) replaced
Exterior light bulb(s) replaced
04/18/2011 43,591
Recommended maintenance performed
Exterior light bulb(s) replaced
Exterior lights checked
04/19/2012 54,333
Recommended maintenance performed
04/08/2013 62,367
Recommended maintenance performed
Tire condition and pressure checked
Camshaft adjuster solenoid replaced
Thread Starter
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TBD
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Another round of ICE
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TBD
It's a private sale. The services were done at an authorized Mercedes dealer. The transmission service is not included in the "Recommended maintenance performed"?
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
The world is filled with the difference between what should be and what is. Without specific evidence from the dealer that they performed that trans service on that VIN vehicle, it's a risk I would not take. You're closer to the second trans fluid service than the first with the current mileage. There are too many other cars out there to choose among. With a private sale, I can only hope you don't learn the hard way the meaning of "as is"!
Thread Starter
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TBD
The world is filled with the difference between what should be and what is. Without specific evidence from the dealer that they performed that trans service on that VIN vehicle, it's a risk I would not take. You're closer to the second trans fluid service than the first with the current mileage. There are too many other cars out there to choose among. With a private sale, I can only hope you don't learn the hard way the meaning of "as is"!
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Thread Starter
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TBD
The world is filled with the difference between what should be and what is. Without specific evidence from the dealer that they performed that trans service on that VIN vehicle, it's a risk I would not take. You're closer to the second trans fluid service than the first with the current mileage. There are too many other cars out there to choose among. With a private sale, I can only hope you don't learn the hard way the meaning of "as is"!
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
The dealer should disclose it, especially if the seller gives permission to them, which you should ask for. Don't settle for an oral answer. You want to see the document or a printout from their records with the vehicle's VIN on it.
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
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From: San Jose, CA
2010 c300
Glynn...you on this thread? How much damage might be done by this mileage on the old/original fluid?
The dealer should disclose it, especially if the seller gives permission to them, which you should ask for. Don't settle for an oral answer. You want to see the document or a printout from their records with the vehicle's VIN on it.
The dealer should disclose it, especially if the seller gives permission to them, which you should ask for. Don't settle for an oral answer. You want to see the document or a printout from their records with the vehicle's VIN on it.
My brother just got a used slk this weekend so he wanted to know what came with the car and service done to it. Since he did that, I asked for mine as well 
In the print out, every single thing thats been done to the car is there. Which some did not show up the Carfax.
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This! I dont see why the dealer wont disclose this. In my case, I was at the dealer today to get diagnostic on my car and I asked my SA to print my brothers history. My brother just got a used slk this weekend so he wanted to know what came with the car and service done to it. Since he did that, I asked for mine as well
In the print out, every single thing thats been done to the car is there. Which some did not show up the Carfax.
My brother just got a used slk this weekend so he wanted to know what came with the car and service done to it. Since he did that, I asked for mine as well In the print out, every single thing thats been done to the car is there. Which some did not show up the Carfax.
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From: San Jose, CA
2010 c300
kbb "fair" private party pricing is about that much. That's the lowest pricing on kbb. So to me its a good deal if the performed the transmission service. You can always use the cost of the transmission service to haggle down the price. And since you are out of warranty you will probably want to get extended warranty just in case, since it's not CPO. But that's totally up to you.
You can also check on craigslist or cars.com and see what some 2008s are going from private party sellers.
You can also check on craigslist or cars.com and see what some 2008s are going from private party sellers.
Last edited by aznmode; May 15, 2013 at 08:42 PM.
Thread Starter
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TBD
kbb "fair" private party pricing is about that much. That's the lowest pricing on kbb. So to me its a good deal if the performed the transmission service. You can always use the cost of the transmission service to haggle down the price. And since you are out of warranty you will probably want to get extended warranty just in case, since it's not CPO. But that's totally up to you.
You can also check on craigslist or cars.com and see what some 2008s are going from private party sellers.
You can also check on craigslist or cars.com and see what some 2008s are going from private party sellers.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Argyle, TX
10 Tahoe LT, 07 Silverado Z71, 99 BMW R1100RT
While I definitely agree that the tranny service is an important thing, I still wouldn't let the fact that whether it was performed at 39K miles or not be the single deciding factor in whether to purchase it or not. Especially if the car otherwise checks out good.
Just make sure you do the service after you buy and drive on.
Just make sure you do the service after you buy and drive on.
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From: Berkley, MI
'09 C350
You want an honest opinion, look for a car that has more options. The least I would want in a $17k car is some nice features and with just P1 on that car and no MM package I'd probably pass. P1 and MM is the bare minimum features I that come standard on most cars nowadays. Also the Tranns service is really a deal breaker if it wasn't done. I wouldn't touch a car that didn't have that done, considering the amount of failed transmission are out there. That is if you plan on keeping the car for more than a couple of years.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Smart move. Sportstick was on the money, as usual.
While I am not averse to buying cars that are not CPO, as the Mercedes dealers ask ridiculous prices around these parts.. my car was $7000 less than a CPO example and only had 11,000 miles... I would not buy one that is not serviced properly.
While I am not averse to buying cars that are not CPO, as the Mercedes dealers ask ridiculous prices around these parts.. my car was $7000 less than a CPO example and only had 11,000 miles... I would not buy one that is not serviced properly.
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TBD
Smart move. Sportstick was on the money, as usual.
While I am not averse to buying cars that are not CPO, as the Mercedes dealers ask ridiculous prices around these parts.. my car was $7000 less than a CPO example and only had 11,000 miles... I would not buy one that is not serviced properly.
While I am not averse to buying cars that are not CPO, as the Mercedes dealers ask ridiculous prices around these parts.. my car was $7000 less than a CPO example and only had 11,000 miles... I would not buy one that is not serviced properly.
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
Mike....you made a wiser choice than did the original owner. That $500 save could multiply many, many times for the resulting repair. Very short sighted on their part, and with all the mileage since, one cannot "unring the bell". Too bad for an otherwise nice car......good luck with your continued search! FWIW, try the dealer for a CPO and see what an 08 or 09 might go for and how that hits a monthly payment. My 09 has been the most reliable car I've ever had.....ever! And, I've had a lot of cars in my driving time since 1970.
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
Broaden your search (search on edmunds.com) into Philly and Baltimore...with the CPO, it has the warranty, if the price is right for you. On a private sale, you would need to do some more detective work, but those good size markets might prove productive and they're not too bad a drive to bring home your new car.
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TBD
Broaden your search (search on edmunds.com) into Philly and Baltimore...with the CPO, it has the warranty, if the price is right for you. On a private sale, you would need to do some more detective work, but those good size markets might prove productive and they're not too bad a drive to bring home your new car.
