editedbymark

Hi all, I've been a proud owner of a 2010 C300 Sport for about 2 months now. I love the car and it's been more than I expected for a first car on my own credit. My C300 has ~29K miles and 10 months of the factory warranty remaining.

Unfortunately, I didn't know this forum existed before purchasing, and I didn't do all the research into available packages and options. I quickly realized the Merc I fell in love with had no optional packages (no nav, HK, P1, etc.). This really sucked to find out the more I wished I had them.

I stumbled upon an excellent condition 2009 C350 w/ ~61k miles (P2, MM, pano, HK, and AMG package) and MB dealership is asking $22,991 less taxes+doc fees. This car also has a clean Carfax, but no existing warranty and is NOT certified. I purchased my car for $24,000 out the door with 25k miles on it.

Can you guys shed some light and help a newbie with some advice? Visiting the dealership tomorrow. Let me know if I skipped over any crucial detail, thank you so much in advance!

Amir_AMG

you are going to get a lot less than what you paid for it...2 months time, not worth it in my opinion..in addition your c300 has half the miles

dolvio

Hey man, I know what you're thinking.. You are going to head to the dealer and for a couple grand have a one year older and better car. WRONG. They are going to offer you about $15-17 grand for your car. So right out of the gate you are $5 to 8 Grand more in the hole to do this. Do you know how ridiculous you could make your car if you dumped in $8 grand? New stereo, new rims, tint, new lights, some vinyl wrap, exhaust, blah blah blah. Or better yet just enjoy the car a couple years and then upgrade. What happens when you go get this C350 and 2 months later you think "Damn, should have sprung for a C63". Then get the C63 an question why you didn't get a Porsche. Maybe that's an extreme.. But the truth is the car you paid $24,000 for out the door was probably bought for $17 grand. More 2010's are coming off lease now and soon 2011's will be coming off lease too lowering the value of your trade in. If I were you, I wouldn't even go to the dealer because if you do, you will leave wondering why you owe $24 grand for a car that's worth $17.

Sportstick

You may get $20,000 back in trade. For that, you will get a car with twice the mileage and no warranty. Not a good trade, IMHO.

You already have a car far superior to what most will ever have. If this is your first car on your own, you are likely young, and will have a long time to move up in car and content. Rather than focus on what you don't have, enjoy what you wisely did buy....a low mileage, warrantied Mercedes-Benz! Let the gratification of all the "toys" be delayed while you benefit from the basic value of your current car. Next time around, you will likely do more research and make a more pleasing overall decision, but you did quite well this first time out. Stop kicking yourself, and enjoy the drive!

xaran

Your going to take a beating on the trade in this short time. When I was looking a month ago I was told that there were electronic improvements and side mirror changes in 2010, 2011 face lift ect. The newer you go the more improvements. Plus twice the mileage is a big no for me.

Best advice is drive it for a couple years and then sell it youll be able to get a great 2012 loaded then

victort

IF you think you will be happier with the 2009 instead of the 2010, just go for it. it's definitely not a smart financial decision, but if you're not happy with the base 2010 model, then you're practically paying $24,000 to be less happy

Doa

just make some retrofits and you'll have those packs

golfster

It seems you made the purchase of your current car without research. It might be wise to slow down a bit and research various model and purchase options before making a 2nd impulse purchase mistake.

Cillys

Absolutely. I was lucky and got a fully loaded including factory backup camera C300 4M. Had I known about the twin turbo V8 AMG C63 i would have gone that route. I will just wait for a used 2012 C63 now to come available.

ilumunus

You might save money on retrofits...

golfster

C63 is naturally aspirated.

Cillys

Really? I thought the AMG's were twin turbo V8's. If not then I am happy with my loaded C300.

golfster

Here's a link that will help sort the different engines by model (AMG):

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/innovation/amg

ilumunus

Also very true! You always want what you don't have. When I had my C300, I wanted a C63. I was an idiot and bought it! Now I want a face-lifted C63, and then next year I'll want a W205. The game never ends. Also going through the same thing with my truck I just purchased. It's a 1989, now I'm wondering why I didn't spend 3k more and get the classic '76 or 72. And then if I had that I'd be wanting a '49, etc.

@OP: Kust keep your car, the 350 is really really really not that big of an improvement. Kleeman can get you the same performance out of your C300 with half the mileage that the C350 has for like 1k since it's the same engine, just different displacement. Then you could go turn it into some sort of monster like this:

https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...d-dsc_0104.jpg

Okay or you could do this:
Tune - $1000
Vinyl Wrap - 2-3k
Retrofit those options - 2-3k
Rims - 1-2k
Lower - $500

Will cost you the same price but will be 100x better, and will also have half the mileage and be a year newer.


Possibilities are ENDLESS.

ilumunus

They're NA for now. Next year they might be turning it into a TT.

Cillys

Yes already went there as soon as someone replied that they were naturally aspirated. I must have saw a twin turbo and assumed they were all like that. I'll stick with my '11 C300 seeing that is loaded. All i need to do now is facelift it which i plan on doing shortly with the LED tails.

editedbymark

Hi everyone, I really appreciate the informational and insightful responses. Sounds like I'm kicking myself over nothing and that I did indeed make a great purchase for a first vehicle. I'm will not be going to the dealership and will absolutely look into some retrofits, wheels, etc. to really bring my base model to life.

You all have done me a huge favor and I'm very thankful for your input

Tarek307

how did you buy the car and not know it had no nav, etc? i waited about a month till i found a 2012 with xenon nav keyless go amg sportline etc...gotta have those things

ilumunus

Cut him a bit of slack! First time benz buyers probably assume they have it all standard at the price they come at, which is a fair assumption. And a lot of (most) cars don't have a screen larger than just the radio but don't have navigation, so when he just saw the screen he probably assumed it came with all the goodies.

editedbymark

Like I pointed out in my original post, I didn't do the research I now know I should have done. Also, I'm young and got excited at the fact that my credit alone afforded me a vehicle like this. Although, your car sounds like its got a great set of features so kudos to you, I'll be there one day.

This is exactly what happened. I sat in a Mercedes for the first time and only imagined driving it off the lot. So when I did, I was ecstatic.

Sportstick

I've gone almost five years without nav, xenon, or keyless go, so, no, you do not have to have them either. You will have a great time with the car you have, and what you plan to do with it. Check my sig.....I did that to a fairly bare bones car.....just P1 and nothing else.

Ultra Stone

Well said sir! This is great advice to the OP...enjoy what you have and dont waste time thinking about what you dont have.

Have fun and congrats on the new ride!