giacMeister

Hey all, I'm looking to buy a 16/17 GTS and came across this beautiful white fully specced out 16 GTS with 20k miles on it for $90k. The only problem I have with it is that there are 4 previous owners. The sales guy at Mercedes of westmont said it was owned by two guys that own a trucking company and they switched off cars a lot because they had a ton of exotic cars in their shared garage. No idea why he stated that but maybe that's why there are 2 more owners. Does anyone else see anything fishy? Thanks

https://www.mercedesbenzofwestmont.c...8e0937e27.htm#

MalibuScott

Yeah, two partners who would trade cars and registrations even though the company could own them. Makes no sense.

As for the other two owners, I wonder what the tall tale is.

My advice? Run!

Two owners I can see. Four, forgetaboutit.

JSwan724

I agree with Scott.

But I suggest you ask the dealer for the CARFAX and the Merceees Service records first before making your final decision.

ALSO;
Has there been any damage (read wreck) to the car? The CarFax Will show this.
What is the next upcoming service due? They get pricey as the mileage goes up.
What are the tire manufacture dates and tread depth and wear pattern?
What is the brake pad and rotor wear?
Has a Mercedes Safety Inspection been done? Did you get a copy?
Have all of the recalls been done?
Is the factory warranty still in effect? Can it be extended? Will the dealer pay for it?

All of these items are great negotiation points and ensure you get a car you can enjoy without surprises.

Good Hunting!

Jerry

Acta_Non_Verba

The free carfax is posted on the for sale site
https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistor...yj7jaxga006463

It has a pretty detailed history of the "movements" the car made since it was first purchased and listed by owner (#). Looks like the car traveled around 3 different states NY, MA, IL. Plus a pretty detailed repair history. It doesn't appear to have had a rough mechanical history.

I'm neutral on pursuing it. If you like it and it meets your expectations....

Some are bothered by multiple owners, others are not, personal requirements on that. I'd be more concerned with how the car was used, and not my first color choice but that's personal too.

giacMeister

Thanks for the thorough follow-up questions I should ask the dealer. Appreciate it

giacMeister

Yeah I'm pretty neutral on it too, the whole 4 owner thing has me thinking but the mileage doesn't scare me as these engines are supposedly pretty solid and aren't prone to blowing up anytime soon. Thanks for the input!

Eyeman89

Nothing in that history bothers me. I looked at two local white cars and I like this one that you are looking at much better. Good luck with your fun decision making process.

giacMeister

That's reassuring, thanks Eyeman89

BBS63

I seen that car, its at the dealer i go to for my cars. Looked very clean at first glance but i honestly didnt look for long. By the looks of the car fax that store has had it and sold it twice already. That Benz store is a good place to deal with, who are you talking to over there about it.

MBNRG

CarFax is most definitely NOT infallible or without omissions/errors, so would take any history gleaned from CarFax with a grain of salt.

As alluded, obtain a Vehicle Master Inquiry (complete service history if serviced at any MB Dealership) from the selling MB Dealership, and if they balk, request they redact any personal identifier info of previous owners.

Prudent to get a 3rd party PPI with full structural/body evaluation from a qualified AMG technician. The selling MB Dealership may not always be 100% transparent, or know the full vehicle history.

Best of luck!

PS - Also check the status of any Open Recalls on the vehicle by inputting VIN on the MB Recall website - there may be ?2 Recalls for 2016 MY: leaking Trans, and another for dehiscence/separation of Driveshaft components secondary to faulty glue bonding. If so, hopefully selling Dealership has been able to resolve these Recalls.

Acta_Non_Verba

I see that the car has some very nice features.
I've seen cars in the past that do not come close, in real life, to what the pics represented.
I once saw a car in person that was so bad, it wouldn't normally sell, but the photos were all of the good sides...a real fooler!

So, it's good if GMeister can get there, or maybe use your eyes if he doesn't live there. Westmont is....well, Westmont. Some of my old stomping grounds well over a million years ago now.

Acta_Non_Verba

GMeister,
Here is another datapoint on the car from a site I use occasionally.

https://www.vehiclehistory.com/vin-r...YJ7JAXGA006463

Looks like it's had the driveshaft recall (twice, maybe?). Interestingly, the price history (in the original sales ads) is pretty telling just how "different" the car market is right now.

BBS63

Agree, he has to get eyes on it, pictures only show what the taker wants you to see. Stomping grounds you say? A millenium ago? Sounds like we are same dinosaur age, LOL. Ahh yes Laurel Mercedes use to be the fun place before Autonation got its claws into it.

OP, If you are not able to get out and look at it, i have no problem going there again and doing a video call and you direct and tell me where to point the camera.

Highline-Autos.com

As long as the service record are good and there are no mechanical issues. I do not see the problem. 2017 Ferrari's with 4-6 owners are common, as long as the vehicle is in good order, who cares.

Acta_Non_Verba

Yes, actually over 1000 Millennia....I was a young lad then....

BurtReynolds

Why is it NOT CPO? that's my biggest concern, it adds a little to the price, but it adds a lot to the peace of mind to the consumer.

giacMeister

I actually went in to look at it, inspect the brakes, tire wear, every inch of the car and its flawless except for some weird issue with the side skirt near the front of the doors flaring out a little bit. Not sure if that's a problem with all GT's but the sales guy named Earl said it's common? Test drove it and it drove like a dream. Honeslty such a beautiful car and I'm going for it. Thanks all!

giacMeister

Yeah seems like a great place, I'm talking to Earl. Nice guy!

BBS63

Great to hear you are going for it. You will enjoy it. If you ever plan on using their Service Center ask for Brian Reed he will take good care of you.
Good Luck.

places

Four owners, no way. Never bought pre-owned but if I did one owner possibly two. Period.

realien

I'm the fourth owner of my 2016 AMG GTS. only issue I had was the pads/rotors were worn out, I got a good deal on it and did the brakes for about $1200. Car had 34k on it, I've had it nearly 2 years.

JSwan724

This is purely a guess but did you know the car was wrapped in gold at one time?

My guess is that when the wrap was removed they may have used too much heat from the heat gun and caused the warping.

I think the fenders are glued there so its possible a knowledgeable shop could add some glue, heat and pressure there and eliminate the issue.

Good luck.

giacMeister

I'm honestly not sure but the dealer said they'd try and do something about it before handing it over to me. Thanks!

AMG 17GT

Did dealer CPO car?

giacMeister

No, offering small short term warranty tho