New owner: 2013 C250 sport - should I have MB inspect it?
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2013 C250 Sport: Nav | Lane Tracking | Keyless Go | Pano Roof | Black Leather | Palladium Silver
New owner: 2013 C250 sport - should I have MB inspect it?
Picked this up at Carmax yesterday for my wife. It has 23k and 15 months left on the factory warranty. It's our first Benz, first luxury brand, and first turbo. Nice car, really (really) impressed with it overall. The particular vehicle we chose had the exact interior/exterior and all the options she really wanted (plus a few). Pretty rare to not have to compromise on something when buying pre-owned.
The only niggle is that the car was a "corporate fleet" vehicle for its first 2.5 years. Whomever drove it kept it immaculate - it looks and drives like a new vehicle. Since it still has some factory warranty left we didn't let this somewhat "unknown" history stand in the way. We do experience the turbo "surge" when trying to drive conservatively - this seems to be a documented issue (?).
However, I am wondering if I should take it to the MB dealer for an inspection/test, just for peace of mind. Or maybe to find out if there are updates to the ECM and/or COMAND stuff. I am torn on this because like I said, it looks and drives like a dream and I'm usually in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" camp. I called them to ask - had to leave a message... Any experience with doing that? How much are they likely to charge, and does your dealer just find stuff to make a buck or will they be straight with us? Our Honda dealer is horrible about that. What about using a third party shop?
The only niggle is that the car was a "corporate fleet" vehicle for its first 2.5 years. Whomever drove it kept it immaculate - it looks and drives like a new vehicle. Since it still has some factory warranty left we didn't let this somewhat "unknown" history stand in the way. We do experience the turbo "surge" when trying to drive conservatively - this seems to be a documented issue (?).
However, I am wondering if I should take it to the MB dealer for an inspection/test, just for peace of mind. Or maybe to find out if there are updates to the ECM and/or COMAND stuff. I am torn on this because like I said, it looks and drives like a dream and I'm usually in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" camp. I called them to ask - had to leave a message... Any experience with doing that? How much are they likely to charge, and does your dealer just find stuff to make a buck or will they be straight with us? Our Honda dealer is horrible about that. What about using a third party shop?
Last edited by JarrodS; Jun 1, 2016 at 11:37 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 764
Likes: 171
From: Walnut Creek, CA
325Ci, 325Cic, C300
Picked this up at Carmax yesterday for my wife. It has 23k and 15 months left on the factory warranty. It's our first Benz, first luxury brand, and first turbo. Nice car, really (really) impressed with it overall. The particular vehicle we chose had the exact interior/exterior and all the options she really wanted (plus a few). Pretty rare to not have to compromise on something when buying pre-owned.
The only niggle is that the car was a "corporate fleet" vehicle for its first 2.5 years. Whomever drove it kept it immaculate - it looks and drives like a new vehicle. Since it still has some factory warranty left we didn't let this somewhat "unknown" history stand in the way. We do experience the turbo "surge" when trying to drive conservatively - this seems to be a documented issue (?).
However, I am wondering if I should take it to the MB dealer for an inspection/test, just for peace of mind. Or maybe to find out if there are updates to the ECM and/or COMAND stuff. I am torn on this because like I said, it looks and drives like a dream and I'm usually in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" camp. I called them to ask - had to leave a message... Any experience with doing that? How much are they likely to charge, and does your dealer just find stuff to make a buck or will they be straight with us? Our Honda dealer is horrible about that. What about using a third party shop?
The only niggle is that the car was a "corporate fleet" vehicle for its first 2.5 years. Whomever drove it kept it immaculate - it looks and drives like a new vehicle. Since it still has some factory warranty left we didn't let this somewhat "unknown" history stand in the way. We do experience the turbo "surge" when trying to drive conservatively - this seems to be a documented issue (?).
However, I am wondering if I should take it to the MB dealer for an inspection/test, just for peace of mind. Or maybe to find out if there are updates to the ECM and/or COMAND stuff. I am torn on this because like I said, it looks and drives like a dream and I'm usually in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" camp. I called them to ask - had to leave a message... Any experience with doing that? How much are they likely to charge, and does your dealer just find stuff to make a buck or will they be straight with us? Our Honda dealer is horrible about that. What about using a third party shop?
If you do let them inspect it, be mindful of the other stuff they try to sell you out of warranty work. Remember, you're dealing with sales people after all, and don't be afraid to do quick research on your phone or walk away.
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2013 C250 Sport
There aren't any updates for Comand unless you are experiencing issues. I did wind up getting a map update on mine to a 2015 version. But it took an international NASA level engineering effort to get done.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Milwaukee, WI
2010 C300 4MATIC........ 2011 C63 AMG.............. 2015 CLS400 4MATIC.....
Well turbo's tend to have a delay so between gears you might feel surges.
That being said idk how "bad" it is
Also, corporate fleet is nothing to worry about, read here:
http://www.autotrader.com/car-tips/c...defined-213357
That being said idk how "bad" it is
Also, corporate fleet is nothing to worry about, read here:
http://www.autotrader.com/car-tips/c...defined-213357
Junior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 61
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From: Tampa, FL
W205 C300
Forgive me if I sound naive, but don't CarMax vehicles go under 125+ point inspections? I wouldn't worry about it. Did you spring for the additional MaxCare warranty? I'm looking at a few from CarMax and someone on here told me to pass on MaxCare and just extend the MB warranty.
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Joined: Mar 2010
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2016 S550
Sounds like you'll be fine. But if there are any issues that bother you, take it in ASAP.
I would take it in before the warranty expires. Just make up some bull**** about smell of oil and they would investigate.
My dealership was nice enough, when I took it in before my warranty was up, to have them check a minor vibration while idling. The service adviser said he would put down "customer states there is leak on garage floor" when I didn't even mention a leak. Anyway, they did a very thorough investigation and determined there was in fact a minor leak of the rear main seal, transmission had to be dropped in order to access it.
To be honest, I didn't feel like they wanted to sell any services to me, more like they wanted to milk the manufacturer for warranty work. They ended up replacing other minor stuff, like cup holders and my AC vents as well.
I would take it in before the warranty expires. Just make up some bull**** about smell of oil and they would investigate.
My dealership was nice enough, when I took it in before my warranty was up, to have them check a minor vibration while idling. The service adviser said he would put down "customer states there is leak on garage floor" when I didn't even mention a leak. Anyway, they did a very thorough investigation and determined there was in fact a minor leak of the rear main seal, transmission had to be dropped in order to access it.
To be honest, I didn't feel like they wanted to sell any services to me, more like they wanted to milk the manufacturer for warranty work. They ended up replacing other minor stuff, like cup holders and my AC vents as well.
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Joined: Mar 2015
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From: PA
2019 E63s AMG
Forgive me if I sound naive, but don't CarMax vehicles go under 125+ point inspections? I wouldn't worry about it. Did you spring for the additional MaxCare warranty? I'm looking at a few from CarMax and someone on here told me to pass on MaxCare and just extend the MB warranty.
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 75
Likes: 6
From: Virginia
17 E300, 17 C300, 14 C250
Similar situation, I purchased a 2013 C250 sport with only 13,000 miles just about a year ago from Carmax. My wife loves the car as it had a ton of options I would have likely passed on.
Only issue I have had was a Code P0301 misfire in cylinder #1 after following semi in heavy rain. Problem would disappear upon restart.
Dealer replaced cylinder #1 coil as a precaution but said newer software for M.E. was available (what ever M.E. stands for). They updated M.E. software and so far problem has not returned in a year.
Lou
Only issue I have had was a Code P0301 misfire in cylinder #1 after following semi in heavy rain. Problem would disappear upon restart.
Dealer replaced cylinder #1 coil as a precaution but said newer software for M.E. was available (what ever M.E. stands for). They updated M.E. software and so far problem has not returned in a year.
Lou
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Joined: Jun 2016
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2013 C250 Sport: Nav | Lane Tracking | Keyless Go | Pano Roof | Black Leather | Palladium Silver
Wife just picked it up from the local MB dealer after paying them $120 to do a full inspection. They said everything looks great. I wanted them to replace the wheel emblems (the original ones are a bit corroded around the edges) but they said it isn't a warranty item. I feel pretty good that they signed off on the vehicle.
Extended warranty quotes were through the roof. $3k + tax for 5y/75k. So if I'm interpreting that correctly, they want 3 large for an additional 1 year and 25,000 miles of warranty?
Extended warranty quotes were through the roof. $3k + tax for 5y/75k. So if I'm interpreting that correctly, they want 3 large for an additional 1 year and 25,000 miles of warranty?
