Chicago !!
buying a C32 across the country…help!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 8
From: Tampa FL
.
buying a C32 across the country…help!
i am planning on purchasing a C32, i have found the perfect one in the chicagoland area, currently i live in california and dont plan to take a trip back home to chicago to see this car... so a few questions about buying a car long distance.
1. what/how should i do this? i.e. i know cover carrier, but what should i ask the dealer for/show me about this car? i got the basics, pictures and car fax but how else can i verify this car is in good shape?
2. they are giving me the option to trade my current MB in for this one, plus of course shipping charges, should i do it? i personaly dont like the hassel of selling a car privetly.
3. should i go through with this? i know there are more C32's out there with the options/color/late VIN i want, but this deal seems really good, because of the low price, but with shipping and everything it will even out to what i would pay here in cali.
4. are there any advantages to regiserting the car in IL rather then CA? i am in the military so i legally can register my car where ever i want (as long as i have a mailing address) how much do you all pay for registration in CA?
thanks!
on a side note, (yes i have searched and seen almost all the responses to this but..) if anyone has any cautions, anything to specify look for on 2002 C32s, or a set of bad/good VINs speak up! deal is hopefully closing before dec 31!
thanks again!
Alex
1. what/how should i do this? i.e. i know cover carrier, but what should i ask the dealer for/show me about this car? i got the basics, pictures and car fax but how else can i verify this car is in good shape?
2. they are giving me the option to trade my current MB in for this one, plus of course shipping charges, should i do it? i personaly dont like the hassel of selling a car privetly.
3. should i go through with this? i know there are more C32's out there with the options/color/late VIN i want, but this deal seems really good, because of the low price, but with shipping and everything it will even out to what i would pay here in cali.
4. are there any advantages to regiserting the car in IL rather then CA? i am in the military so i legally can register my car where ever i want (as long as i have a mailing address) how much do you all pay for registration in CA?
thanks!
on a side note, (yes i have searched and seen almost all the responses to this but..) if anyone has any cautions, anything to specify look for on 2002 C32s, or a set of bad/good VINs speak up! deal is hopefully closing before dec 31!
thanks again!
Alex
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 8
From: Tampa FL
.
Originally Posted by desertsun
Ice...Salt Bad
Wait for Calif/SW car
Wait for Calif/SW car
i am just an impatient *******, i want my C32 NOW!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 8
From: Tampa FL
.
what is with the headlight difference on these C32s? i have seen this before, both are xenon, same year, same options, just the clear lenses is a later VIN, is that what it is later vin=clear headlight??
Last edited by alboogiee; Sep 27, 2019 at 09:37 AM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 8
From: Tampa FL
.
Originally Posted by C43AMG
I would also inspect the car personally. For all you know you could be buying a Katrina flood car.
also car fax is reporting every car in their reports that were ever registered in one of the areas the hurrican hit.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 8
From: Tampa FL
.
Originally Posted by KEY08
Where is this '02 C32 coming from. I just turned my loaded Brilliant Silver in with 23,800 miles on it 2 weeks ago to MB of Arl. Heights, IL.
btw the dealer is http://bentleydownersgrove.com/
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1
From: San Jose, CA
ML63
Hey man.. I also live in Cali.. I was considering buying a C32 from Texas because the price was unbelievable. I had been looking locally for about 2 months to no avail.. I almost pulled the tigger, but right before I did a local C32 came on the market, also at an incredible price. The Texas car was still cheaper, but I wouldn't have been able to inspect the car, and the shipping would have brought the price up to about the same as the Cali car especially when you consider the taxes, registration, etc..
If you live in So Cal you might want to check out Fletcher Jones, or MB of Laguna Niguel. I have noticed they seem to have a pretty good stock of C32's and they will carry the Starmark warranty, but the price will be much higher.
Price was a major factor for me so the dealer was not an option. I was able to pick mine up from a motivated seller locally here in SD for a great price, luckily they bought with the starmark and it transferred to me.
I would continue to look locally, you just may need to wait a few weeks/months for the right price.
Good luck!!
If you live in So Cal you might want to check out Fletcher Jones, or MB of Laguna Niguel. I have noticed they seem to have a pretty good stock of C32's and they will carry the Starmark warranty, but the price will be much higher.
Price was a major factor for me so the dealer was not an option. I was able to pick mine up from a motivated seller locally here in SD for a great price, luckily they bought with the starmark and it transferred to me.
I would continue to look locally, you just may need to wait a few weeks/months for the right price.
Good luck!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
Likes: 84
From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
A car from Bentley Downers Grove . . . . . . . . . . . . site unseen???? Bently Downers Grove and Luxury Motors are the same place. There are tons of threads on a number of forums about them. I first heard of them on RennList, and it was substantially less than positive.
You may want to read this link, which was posted on RennList -
http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/n...id=15636&rel=1
I've never personally dealt with them. They may be wonderful people, however . . . . .
http://euroteknik.com/forum/printthr...?t=10429&pp=40
You may want to read ALL the posts at the Chicago car forum
You may want to read this link, which was posted on RennList -
http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/n...id=15636&rel=1
I've never personally dealt with them. They may be wonderful people, however . . . . .
http://euroteknik.com/forum/printthr...?t=10429&pp=40
You may want to read ALL the posts at the Chicago car forum
Last edited by MarcusF; Dec 15, 2005 at 05:40 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
2006 SLK55 AMG/// 2006 Porsche CaymanS 2010 135i
Originally Posted by alboogiee
it was in the car fax that it was not, apparently there was a group of peole that went through parking lots down there recording every VIN of the flooded cars,
also car fax is reporting every car in their reports that were ever registered in one of the areas the hurrican hit.
also car fax is reporting every car in their reports that were ever registered in one of the areas the hurrican hit.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,255
Likes: 0
From: Bloomfield Hills, MI
W203, W211, W219, W212
Alboogie, I bought my C32 from across the country too, since it was reeeallly hard to find a white one locally. And I had never seen the car in person before. But everything turned out well. This is what I did.
1. Got info from Carfax.
2. I asked the seller to take the car to a local MB dealer for inspection. Then I contacted the service manager at the dealer directly and asked them to fax me a written report. Lucky for me, the car was in show room condition mechanically.
3. I faxed a set of questionaires that I downloaded from the internet and have the seller answered all the questions, signed it, and faxed it back to me.
http://www.carbuyingtips.com/questions.html
4. After that I began shopping for an auto shipper to transport the car from Michigan to Colorado. Enclosed of course.
The only thing that I did not expect was rusting rear calipers. As to MB this is normal and considered purely cosmetical. Again, lucky for me that MB Glauser here in Colorado would replace them for free. Considering that the car that I purchased was from Michigan, you might have the same problem.
1. Got info from Carfax.
2. I asked the seller to take the car to a local MB dealer for inspection. Then I contacted the service manager at the dealer directly and asked them to fax me a written report. Lucky for me, the car was in show room condition mechanically.
3. I faxed a set of questionaires that I downloaded from the internet and have the seller answered all the questions, signed it, and faxed it back to me.
http://www.carbuyingtips.com/questions.html
4. After that I began shopping for an auto shipper to transport the car from Michigan to Colorado. Enclosed of course.
The only thing that I did not expect was rusting rear calipers. As to MB this is normal and considered purely cosmetical. Again, lucky for me that MB Glauser here in Colorado would replace them for free. Considering that the car that I purchased was from Michigan, you might have the same problem.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,654
Likes: 1
From: orange county, ca
2006 E55
funny, I grew up in Downers Grove, and I would never imagine a Bentley dealer where it is now.
I bought my car unseen from a non MB dealer in michigan off ebay. Paid way less than I would have out here, and it came perfect as described.
MBLN has at least 2 used C32's in their lot as of last week
I bought my car unseen from a non MB dealer in michigan off ebay. Paid way less than I would have out here, and it came perfect as described.
MBLN has at least 2 used C32's in their lot as of last week
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: south of New Orleans
c32
there sure are a lot of comments about people lookin and buying C32s. However, I've had mine posted for a few weeks with no response. I would even pay (send) Southwest airfare for inspection if purchased. Check out previous post.
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Sterling VA
'05 C55 Black/Black Lighting, Premium, NAV
Do not buy a car with out looking at it in person first. I learned the hard way:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/111209-bummed-out.html
This was from a very large MB dealership in Boston. It all worked out in the end because the GM of the dealership made it right with a great deal on a C55 but he was the only one at the dealer worth a sh***.
Mez
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/111209-bummed-out.html
This was from a very large MB dealership in Boston. It all worked out in the end because the GM of the dealership made it right with a great deal on a C55 but he was the only one at the dealer worth a sh***.
Mez
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 8
From: Tampa FL
.
thanks for all the info everyone!
really appreciate it! as for lux motors and bentley DG, i am going to call it off tomorrow after some good commercial sources say no. i also am gonig to scrape the idea of purchasing from afar, i am going to sit on my impatient butt and wait until the perfect car falls in my lap...
any year C32 reasonably priced w/existing starmark or CPO
LOADED all US available options
white w/blue glass
no previous modifications and low mileage <50k
must be purchased from dealer (preferable MB dealer) because of current car and being taken on price, i have to trade and finance the negative into the new car...alot of negative with almost no downpayment b/c i just spent god knows how much $ on the wifes VW Touareg (early X mas present)
i too am from chicago, and knowing the surrounding area i never would have expected a bently dealer in DG.
i too am looking for a white one, loaded, very hard to locate, as you can see i almost settled for a silver one...
i did see your car in the classifieds, but it is too nice for me and for reasons stated above i woudnt be able to purchase it, thank you for teh offer to fly me/anyone out, now that is a motivated seller! good luck with the sale.
bump on this post, anyone know the reason why headlights on the cars are different? i am very curious!
everyone, thanks for the quick responses on the car, glad i got the skinny on the dealer before i took delivery of a lemon!
really appreciate it! as for lux motors and bentley DG, i am going to call it off tomorrow after some good commercial sources say no. i also am gonig to scrape the idea of purchasing from afar, i am going to sit on my impatient butt and wait until the perfect car falls in my lap...
any year C32 reasonably priced w/existing starmark or CPO
LOADED all US available options
white w/blue glass
no previous modifications and low mileage <50k
must be purchased from dealer (preferable MB dealer) because of current car and being taken on price, i have to trade and finance the negative into the new car...alot of negative with almost no downpayment b/c i just spent god knows how much $ on the wifes VW Touareg (early X mas present)
Originally Posted by psk145
funny, I grew up in Downers Grove, and I would never imagine a Bentley dealer where it is now.
Originally Posted by 360_iti
Alboogie, I bought my C32 from across the country too, since it was reeeallly hard to find a white one locally.
Originally Posted by my401
there sure are a lot of comments about people lookin and buying C32s. However, I've had mine posted for a few weeks with no response. I would even pay (send) Southwest airfare for inspection if purchased. Check out previous post.
Originally Posted by alboogiee
what is with the headlight difference on these C32s? i have seen this before, both are xenon, same year, same options, just the clear lenses is a later VIN, is that what it is later vin=clear headlight??
everyone, thanks for the quick responses on the car, glad i got the skinny on the dealer before i took delivery of a lemon!
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Sterling VA
'05 C55 Black/Black Lighting, Premium, NAV
Originally Posted by alboogiee
everyone, thanks for the quick responses on the car, glad i got the skinny on the dealer before i took delivery of a lemon!
Mez
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,255
Likes: 0
From: Bloomfield Hills, MI
W203, W211, W219, W212
The left picture is bixenon (optional on 2004 C32). The right pic is xenon (optional 2002, 2003). I hope I'm right about the years. Both versions use the same HID bulbs, just different housing, lens and the bixenon assembly is equipped with self-leveling motor.
BUT.. the left one could be 2002 / 2003 too, with a pair of aftermarket bixenons.
BUT.. the left one could be 2002 / 2003 too, with a pair of aftermarket bixenons.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Macon,Ga
03' C32 Silver
The light question is Clear=BiXenon, The other is not. I almost bought a car from the same place but observed some odd things. I have bought many high end cars Merc, Porsche etc... and have found THAT ALMOST NEVER IS A DEALER CHEAPER OR BETTER UNLESS IT IS A MERCEDES DEALER ETC... SO THEY CAN GIVE THE CAR CPO.. I found cars in the Great Lakes region and other northern regions go for much less than the Southeastern cars (where I live). Like the other post eluded to the reason is the conditions under which the car is driven. I always look at the money spent on plane fare as money gone. If the car does not meet my expectations or the description then it is a No-Go. Beware of the dealer that can help you out with everything. Good luck. What kind of car are you trading.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
Likes: 84
From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Walter’s in Riverside, www.waltsmb.com, has a 2002 C32, desert silver/charcoal, 34,000 miles, CPO, $31,900 with the first two payments waved. If that's not what you want, I would email them and state exactly what you want and what you'll pay. Walter's will find you a car.
