I'm scared to pull the trigger
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I'm scared to pull the trigger
So I'm finally went in to see a 2009 Silver CLS550 with 43k miles at Carmax. The price on the car is $30,000.
Things I didn’t like:
1. Headliner dirty is several areas and one area seems to have either gum or a burn mark covered up by a material that resembles the fabric of the headliner.
2. Interior smells a LITTLE bit like cig smoke when you put your nose directly on the leather.
3. The driver’s seat has a few creases in the leather area closest to the door.
4. A one inch area of leather by the door knob seems to have been scratched by a watch or something. It’s not very noticeable unless you pass your finger in the opposite direction and you can see a few parts of the leather come up very slightly.
5. The driver side mirror has a 2 inch scratch that seems to have been touched up with paint. Can’t see it from too far away but when you get close up you can see it well and it doesn’t look like it was repaired by someone with 30 years of experience because if it had, I think I would be able to notice it less.
6. The front bottom bumper is loose. If you push it up from the bottom it closes in to the other panel. The “give” maybe around 1/10th of an inch.
I just don't know if I should keep looking as the values of this car aren't going up or if I should just take it.
IF I do get it, I will try to fix some of the problems above unless y'all think i'm being stupid and all cars are going to have these issues. AND YES, I know it's an used car!!! But I notice little things like this. Plus, this is my second purchase of a vehicle and I am 27, so don't have much experience under my belt. I still roll around in my first car which is a mustang.
IF the headliner had been clean and the bottom bumper didn't give, I would have taken it but when you put the little things and the big things together it made me pause.
Things I didn’t like:
1. Headliner dirty is several areas and one area seems to have either gum or a burn mark covered up by a material that resembles the fabric of the headliner.
2. Interior smells a LITTLE bit like cig smoke when you put your nose directly on the leather.
3. The driver’s seat has a few creases in the leather area closest to the door.
4. A one inch area of leather by the door knob seems to have been scratched by a watch or something. It’s not very noticeable unless you pass your finger in the opposite direction and you can see a few parts of the leather come up very slightly.
5. The driver side mirror has a 2 inch scratch that seems to have been touched up with paint. Can’t see it from too far away but when you get close up you can see it well and it doesn’t look like it was repaired by someone with 30 years of experience because if it had, I think I would be able to notice it less.
6. The front bottom bumper is loose. If you push it up from the bottom it closes in to the other panel. The “give” maybe around 1/10th of an inch.
I just don't know if I should keep looking as the values of this car aren't going up or if I should just take it.
IF I do get it, I will try to fix some of the problems above unless y'all think i'm being stupid and all cars are going to have these issues. AND YES, I know it's an used car!!! But I notice little things like this. Plus, this is my second purchase of a vehicle and I am 27, so don't have much experience under my belt. I still roll around in my first car which is a mustang.
IF the headliner had been clean and the bottom bumper didn't give, I would have taken it but when you put the little things and the big things together it made me pause.
Last edited by user 10813089; Oct 10, 2014 at 05:58 PM.
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From: Lafayette, LA
2008 CLS550 (219) and 2009 Pontiac G8 GT
I just purchased a black 2008 CLS550 with 67k miles and they wanted 25k. I also bought this a daily driver to my 09 G8 GT. I had a few issues that are similar to what you are battling decisions on but I will say if you purchase a "Vehicle One" full care warranty...all issues that come up after purchase will be covered with only a 100$ deductible. MB wanted over 12k for a warranty and I found VehicleOne which is a top rated warranty next to Easy Care.
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I got the car, I hope to remedy the leather issues with leatherique 
The interior is actually nice but I've seen some of those before and after leathrique pics and I know the interior could look way better after a good treatment.
I got the car from carmax which gives me some peace of mind since it has a 30 day limited warranty and I plan to to put away some $$ for potential repairs.
As soon as I got it the parking sensors on the left front side of the car were going crazy and doing a long beep. Also, the car was showing the TPMS warning on the dash, I suspect on the sensors on the tires need to be replaced. Didn't even take the car home, just left it there for repair. They are taking the car to a local Benz dealer so that should be taken care of no prob.
The interior is actually nice but I've seen some of those before and after leathrique pics and I know the interior could look way better after a good treatment. I got the car from carmax which gives me some peace of mind since it has a 30 day limited warranty and I plan to to put away some $$ for potential repairs.
As soon as I got it the parking sensors on the left front side of the car were going crazy and doing a long beep. Also, the car was showing the TPMS warning on the dash, I suspect on the sensors on the tires need to be replaced. Didn't even take the car home, just left it there for repair. They are taking the car to a local Benz dealer so that should be taken care of no prob.
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I've read up a little bit on the car, including this forum and most owners don't report big issues with mechanical problems. The dealer is fixing the parking sensors and TPMS issue free so not worried about anything else at this point.
I will take it to my local dealer for an inspection before the 5 day return period is over.
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From: Southern CA
08 CLS63, Honda Accord, 04 911
Cartman- dont worry too much and enjoy the car! congrats ..! I know there are little things that bug all of us but dont let it take away from the overall experience..
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Saint Louis, Mo
2000 mercedes s500, 2006 Mercedes CLS500, 2012 Mercedes CLS550
Congratulations on the new car. I wanted to purchase a cls550 as well but couldn't find one that I liked. I finally went with a cls500 instead it is high mileage I bought it with 118,000 miles for $18000 but got a 4 year 100,000 mile warranty for it all together I spent 22000 on it so far very pleased with it previous owner took really good care of it. Next up is definitely going to be a cls63 ��. Enjoy the vehicle.
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CLS-LotusS4-ZR1-M5-E31850x2
I would have sold you mine for 30000 it has 39000 miles and a ton of goodies Attachment 445682
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From: N.Y.C.
'99 CLK320, '91 BMW 325Ic
Thread Starter
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That is one nice car! I would have bought it if I had known about it.
As of right now, real happy with my car one month of ownership and this is what has happened so far.
1. several days after I bought it, took it to local Benz dealer for an inspection and when I pulled up and the car said to "top off the coolant". It was done right there (free) by a tech.
2. Car said the batteries in the key were low so I purchased four little duracell batteries on ebay and installed two in the key that I use most often and left the other ones in their original packaging next to the spare key I don't use.
My next scheduled service is 6,700 miles away. It is the 50k service.
As of right now, real happy with my car
one month of ownership and this is what has happened so far.1. several days after I bought it, took it to local Benz dealer for an inspection and when I pulled up and the car said to "top off the coolant". It was done right there (free) by a tech.
2. Car said the batteries in the key were low so I purchased four little duracell batteries on ebay and installed two in the key that I use most often and left the other ones in their original packaging next to the spare key I don't use.
My next scheduled service is 6,700 miles away. It is the 50k service.
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2005 c230.....2009 cls 5.5 amg
