Sorry for the "noob" style questions but I tried searching and now my head hurts..lol.

So I'm currently on the hunt for my future C63, and it seems that '09's generally seem to be in the price range I'm looking. So I have a couple questions:

1. Was a backup camera an option in 2009? If not, can it easily be added and integrated into the factory nav/radio screen?
2. Is the iPod integration in the '09's really that bad? I read that some people don't even use it because it's terrible. True?
3. Is the LSD part of the AMG performance package, or were they two separate options?
4. What do you guys think is a fair price to pay for an '09? I've notice that the really clean, well-optioned 2009's start to approach the prices I've seen some 2010's going for. (mid-50's)

And lastly...anyone here work at a dealership? I could use an ally to help me find the right car. I was looking at a loaded white 2009 (my color of choice) with about 15k on it and the dealer was asking $55,100. They offered me $54,500 and said I was getting a "smoking deal"...I don't think that's so smoking. I need some advice...

Thanks so much!

I don't know why people have to complaint about the Ipod integration. I have the Ipod integration system and it works fine for me, it charges the Ipod and it allows you to change songs and menus though the buttons on the steering wheel.

The pices on the 09 are going to be very different thorugh out the entire country, I got my 09 C63 brand new with $5000 in options for $53000 OTD and that was brand new.

If you are in the military I know that USAA offers big disccounts on Mercedes Benz and also GM cars. The rear LSD was not stock, iyt was part of the performnace package, I think they call it P30 or P31(I am not sure).
You can add the rear LSD from aftermarket vendors for less than $2000 installed. I think Mercedes Benz now offers that possibility as a separate purchase.

Last but not least, I think you should be able to buy a used 09 for mid to high 40's.

I'll answer whatever I can:

2. It's not bad IMO, only fuss people have about it is it has to be controlled by the controls on the steering wheel, doesn't bother me.

3. LSD is part of the P30 package.

4. There's no "fair" price IMO, just depends on the car. I bought mine about 5 months ago (09, P30 all available options except the camera, 10k miles with h&r coilovers, eurocharged tune and revozport bumper) for ~49 when all was said and done (not including tax, but shipping and so forth, bought it from a member here). I'd look for a clean one from someone on here, or another private party; I'd hate buying used "performance" car from a dealership.

Thanks for the replies guys!

So what else was in the P30 package besides the LSD?

Basically, I'm looking from dealers for a couple reasons. For one, I'd like to get one CPO. I realize sometimes the warranty can transfer if you buy private but it's a peace of mind thing for me. Second, and maybe more important...I don't have cash outright to buy...I need to finance part of it and MB has some great deals going right now.

What about the backup camera? Was that an option in '09?

If not, is it easy to add one?

the camera was not an option in 09. i think it can be added but not sure.

When I was doing research buying mine, I found that there is an aftermarket solution for the rearview camera.

I didn't want to bother with the hassle of installing it so I looked for one that had it already as an option.

As for pricing, that is pretty high for an 09. When you say loaded, do you mean it has every option available? That pricing seems real close to a 2010 or 2011 possibly.

This is the car I'm looking at:

http://www.rbmofatlanta.com/used-inv...S_BENZ-C_CLASS

I offered them $50k...and basically got the whole "oh even at $55k i'm only making $500 on the whole deal...blah bah..."

So what do you guys think is a fair offer on that car? They just lowered their auto trader price to $52,900....

Obviously time will change the price.. but I bought my 09 about a year and a half ago with 14k miles on the clock for $49,900, has the same options minus the performance package which this one has... So it might not be a bad deal. I also live int he DC Metro area, where one would expect higher prices..

I think your 50k offer was fair.

To bad u looking for white I have would have sold u mine for cheap with all the mods.

Spoke to the used car manager again last night. Really nice guy, seemed honest, but insisted there's just no way he could sell the car for $50k. Being in the business, I know that wholesale on that car is in the lower 40's so I have a hard time paying $53K for it.

At $50k, I'm absolutely 100% sure the dealer would still make good money on the car, and I'd finally be happy driving my nice new C63 this weekend. Oh well...guess I'll keep looking.

just FYI..
I got my white 09' c63 w/ 7800 miles on about a year ago..
it had black powdercoated rims n yellow powdercoated calipers..
HnR spring was on it, too..
and it was 52000 USD..

I guess i got pretty good price..

I hope u get the best deal!!

1.Backup cam was an option and it can be added
2. The Ipod integration works fine but is akward like it was a last though add on. The ipod information show up on the command screen no the MM screen. You have to use the steering wheel button to control it and it is not intuitive like and Ipod control. On the 2010 the Ipod shows up on the MM screen with playlist, sound titles and controlled through the center consul control knob. It feels much more integrated into the car.
3. For 09 only the P30 package was optional not the P31 package. Accordingly you do not get the engine modifications with additional hp/tq. What you do get is better brakes, top speed delimited, stiffer suspension, 19" wheels and LSD. I don't think the p30 option gets much back in resale but I do know the P31 option holds value.
4. If your budget is mid to low $50's you can get an 2010 maybe with the p31 package.

$54,500 for an 09 with 15k is far from a smoking deal. For point of reference 18 months ago I bought an 09 (all options excluding back up cam and P30) with 8K on the clock for $52,500 at an MBZ dealer with a CPO warranty.
Since C63 are a bit rare I did not limit myself to dealers in San Diego. I did my search for the entire state and found mine in Sacramento. The nice part about dealing at distance on the phone is they have to get serious on the number to even get you to come look at the car. It takes time (about 2-3 weeks and lots of phone calls and emails) but it beats driving to their lot and wasting time in the sweat box playing good cop/bad cop with the sales person and sales manager. When I took it in for service at my local dealer the salesman spotted me and ask why I didn't give him last shot at making the deal. I told him because his sales manager had him tell me their best and final deal was $4,000 more with no CPO. I gave him a sales invoice what I paid to show his sale manager for "market pricing educational' purposes. He said "but you had to fly all the way to Sacramento to get it". I told the $100 airline ticket, $100 in gas, and 8 hours of time was easily worth $4,000 to me.

45,000 max for a 2009 ---- paid 47,000 10 month ago for my CPO 2009 with 20,000 miles.

If you are in the business, why dont you just have your UC manager keep an eye on the auctions and when one comes in bid on it at a price you are comfortable at? I understand about instant gratification but your guess on the wholesale amount is a little off...check mannheim and add about 3-4K minimum just to get the cost of the car, CPO inspections are never light on AMG cars as owners tend to trade in when they need brakes and tires.

The only advantage of buying from a dealer is the CPO warranty and the ability to buy the MBZ extended warranty is you think its worth it. You cannot buy the MBZ extended warranty if you are not the original owner. (In Cali the orginal owner can wait till the last day of the standard warranty to buy the factory extended warranty). Is it worth it. In my case yes. My C55 had an expensive drive train failure outside of the original warranty that was covered by the factory extended warranty. The advantage of private party is a lower price.

I'd wait the dealer out. I think under $50k is doable and if you got $55k in your pocket go find a 2010 with a P31 package.

Thanks for all the good info guys.

Just for reference, what comes with the P30 and P31 packages? I've been having a hard time getting a definitive answer on that.

To answer your question DCubed...I have been looking at auctions, trust me. But I'm very particular about what I want. Has to be white, has to have LSD and the power package. BT, iPod, lighting...all that good stuff. I'm being very patient though...i'm not in a rush, I"ll wait for the right car. That car at RBM in Atlanta is perfect, but I just won't pay that much for it. According to wholesale values, whoever walked into that dealer with that car to trade in was most likely given $42-$45k for the car. So I think 50 is a VERY generous offer.

If I'm going to pay a penny over $50k, I'm going to look at 2010's I guess. I appreciate all the feedback! I'd be lost without all the advice and help.

See my post above regarding differences between P30 and P31.

Stick to your guns and get what car you want. It's a lot of money and time is on your side.