johnadams

here's the comparisons again - black on black vs steel grey





black on black just looks nicer don't you think?
also, I don't get why AMG sports wheels command a premium... the regular ones look just fine!

Dsurr

I agree black on black is the way to go. Good luck!

Dsurr

By the way, folks, Mercedes's ELW (Extended Limited Warranty) is ONLY available on non-CPO's and it doesn't matter if you are the original owner. If you purchased a CPO, then you are not eligible for the ELW, which is the best warranty that Mercedes offers. Instead, all that would be available to you is a Mercedes CPO extended warranty, which is not bad but it's a named components coverage, as opposed to the ELW, which is an exclusionary warranty (the only things that are excluded that are otherwise included in the original 4 year/50K mile warranty is trim, wind noise and battery).

johnadams

Is the Mercedes Benz Finance 1.99% 2-payment credit and 2 year free maintenance offer good for any E350 bought from any dealer? Like can I buy one from texas direct auto and still get that offer?

dkchips

The special offers for Mercedes on CPO vehicles the two payments rebate the low interest that the prepaid maintenance for two years and the extended warranty is only available through authorized Mercedes dealers and not through any other dealer including Texas cars direct

You'd be making a very big mistake if you buy The 2011 2012 E3 50 coupe from other then a Mercedes dealer

This forum is loaded with horror stories of expensive repairs on cars that are out of warranty and again if you add up the savings that you think you're getting from Texas cars direct without all of the perks on the Mercedes CPO coupe you're making a big mistake if you buy from other than a Mercedes dealer this particular car

I don't know your whole story of how you're going about looking to purchase this Mercedes I don't know if you're going into the dealer and actually sitting down negotiating and ready to make a deal or on the phone if it's on the phone I suggest you go look at that steel gray coupe again sitdown examine the car go through the Carfax and then go back with the salesman and make a firm offer of $33,900 and just extend the CPO warranty additional year and I'll buy the car right now other than that you're going to be going back-and-forth

The best way right now is for you to settle on a color the steel gray with the ash interior is beautiful whole black is an issue with keeping it clean I had black cars I've had a dozen Mercedes I've negotiated many many deals for friends and family you need to pick a car from a Mercedes dealer take advantage of these limited time perks pick the car and make an offer and be prepared to walk if the deal is not accepted and also be prepared to buy if the price is accepted and just be happy with this beautiful car

Today is a great day to buy this car as there will not be much traffic in the show rooms everybody will be watching the Super Bowl but my last words on this topic beware of Texas cars direct and E car one you can't compare their cars to the Mercedes CPO with the special offers and what ever other people say the extended warranty that you can put on this car from Mercedes is exceptional so good luck my friend

Dsurr

Not sure why dkchips is pushing CPO so hard, I bought a 2012 S550 from Texas cars direct, and love it, full factory warranty. They get their cars directly from mercedes as lease returns. They sell more used mercedes here in Dallas than anyone. That does not happen if people are not satisfied. I also bought a 2012 E550 coupe from a dealer. Both were good experiences. The key is getting the car you want and when dealing with used cars it might be from a dealer or could be from Texas cars direct. If you are getting full factory warranty don't sweat it. So I suggest you find the car equipped as you want, and go for it.

dkchips

The reason for me recommending the CPO E350 Coupe is for the special incentives being offered by authorized Mercedes dealers and the only incentive than can really be offered by non authorized dealers is the competitive finance rate.

Mercedes pay first 2 payments - up to $1,200
2 years scheduled service at no charge
1 year extended warranty

I'm not knocking anyone's experience with purchasing a Mercedes elsewhere but these LIMITED offers are hard to pass up

My 2010 E350 that I traded in for my CPO CLS550 was a CPO - Both were absolutely perfect when purchased.

The list of items that were part of the CLS550 reconditioning included:

4 NEW tires
4 wheel alignment
Servicing
new wiper blades
brake flush
and a full inspection PLUS the extended warranty - I added a year

My CLS550 is under Mercedes warranty until 10/5/2017

I'm trying to steer the OP in the right direction especially since most Mercedes dealers are flush with 2010 - 2013 E350's

If Texas Cars Direct can match the incentives - provide a comprehensive list of the car's inspection - example - Mercedes CPO states that tires must have at least 7/32 of tread - below the reading tires need to be replaced

The list of criteria for COP is extensive

I agree that Texas Cars Direct is a valid and respected dealer - I travel to Houston 4 times a year for 2 weeks of business - have been to both Texas Direct and MB of Houston - both dealers are knowledgeable - but in this particular case - where the incentives from MB on CPO is tangible but LIMITED - it makes financial sense to weight the value against any price from a non authorized MD Dealer.

Case in point - in June when I was shopping for either an E550, S550 or CLS550 I saw and test drove at least 12 cars. I ruled out the S550 as the 2012's in June were a little high - today they are in the upper 50's - The E550 was nice but I wanted a different body style - so - hence the CLS550.

Market value at that time was a spread of a low of $56,000 (non MB dealer) to a high of $69,000 CPO. I decided on a CPO and shopped San Diego and Orange County - found the car I wanted at Fletcher Jones - 2012 - 12,500 miles early lease return - 14 months old - all options except Distonic - their asking price $68,888 - Drove to see it - they offered $32,500 for my 2010 White E350 Sport sedan with 28,000 miles - trade OK - now to offer my price

After 35 minutes of back and forth we settled on $58,888 - Mercedes Financing at 3.9% - and then I purchased the additional year of warranty for $1,720.

So - if Texas Cars has the car the OP wants - and the price is that much lower to make up the differential of the current MB incentives - then I say - buy it!!!

For me - I have the luxury of having 30 MB dealers within a 100 mile radius - the market is flush with lease returns - but when I purchase CPO I will only buy a lease return to the original selling dealer and not as an auction piece.

My experience with FJ Mercedes in Newport Beach was great and in November leased a 2014 E350 C for my wife

Dsurr

Those are all good points. Here in Texas, the car is not returned to the dealer from lease return. All go thru MB auction, dealer can acquire just like Texas Cars Direct. Only dealer can CPO the car, which is more important the older it is, but if low miles I don't see the advantage of the price premium one has to pay to get the CPO.

dkchips

I did not know that about Lease returns in Texas. Whatever the decision the OP makes it's great that all of us can offer our suggestions from our experiences and knowledge.

Enjoy both your 2012's - my decision to trade my 2010 E350 was to get that Bi-turbo V8!!!

Dsurr

Yes, the New turbo is a fantastic engine. On the E550 it is real tough to keep from using up all the tire tread. Have a great day.

johnadams

Thanks dkchips! Sound advice. I'm going to offer $33,900 for it and see what happens. The salesperson may get mad and storm out like what the texas direct auto guy did to me when I lowered the asking price further.

dkchips

When you make your offer either today or tomorrow you at $33,900 and if they come back with $34,900 counter with a $500 bump and have them include the extra 1 year extended warranty their cost for this is approx. $1,400
and even if you pay a little bit more the car is a great value considering all the extras you going to get in these special offers they expire in the middle of February and nobody knows what the new offers will be I don't think they really are going to get much better than that but Lotsa luck to you and I hope that you really enjoy whatever car you finally decide on

dkchips

When you make your offer either today or tomorrow you at $33,900 and if they come back with $34,900 counter with a $500 bump and have them include the extra 1 year extended warranty their cost for this is approx. $1,400
and even if you pay a little bit more the car is a great value considering all the extras you going to get in these special offers they expire in the middle of February and nobody knows what the new offers will be I don't think they really are going to get much better than that but Lotsa luck to you and I hope that you really enjoy whatever car you finally decide on

abqhudson

In my judgment, CPO, is nothing more than an expensive, high profit for the dealer, waste of money for an extended warranty. When buying an extended warranty, my advice is to shop around. The last CPO car I drove at a dealer would not allow me to adjust the side view mirrors, the paint was all scratched/swirled, and the steering wheel adjustment was not working correctly. Who knows what else was not checked. YMMV.

BBowles

FWIW I just bought a black on black CPO '12 E550 with 23k miles for $39k after the $1200 from MB. Has P2, AMG package, pano, lane/blindspot assist etc. Sticker was $67,465.
Dealer paid to ship it 900 miles to me.

dkchips

I would agree that there are some MB dealers that might cut corners with CPO certification but my suppositions are based on the values of today's special offers on selected late model Mercedes CPO's especially the S550, E350 AND E550

The value of 2 payments - up to $2,400 on S clsss
The value of the 1 year extended warranty - up to $2,495
The value of 2 services - up to $1,100
The value of 1.75% with autopay

And add to this the cost of a CPO that is done right and within the guidelines of Mercedes Program - I'd venture to state that the majority of the forum members who have bought MB CPO late models S550 Etc. would tell you that it was a wise decision.

Compared to 2 or 3 years ago today's CPO pricing is very competitive and then add in the current incentives and then it's apparent it's not only about an overpriced warranty.

Maybe you had a bad experience with a CPO from a dealer that did not bring it up to the minimum acceptable level set by MB. I'd like to know what model and year this was as it might have been some time ago.

I have purchased 2 CPO's in the past 4 years - both were immaculate - traded one in - a 2010 E350 White Sport sedan and I currently drive a 2012 CLS550 bought with 12,500 miles and 14 months old - love them both

Dsurr

BBowles, great buy!

dkchips

Nice car and great price on loaded E550 - wonderful engine - enjoy!!

johnadams

wow great buy bbowles!
thanks dkchips, should i do the negotiation over the phone or in person?

dkchips

Please go in person - be professional and have your research - I emailed you the Galves real word values for the 2011 E350 Coupe - use this knowledge. Hopefully your credit score is high as they make some margin if you finance through MB Financial - high score with autopay = 1.75% up to 72 months on this special program.

Go in person - show them you are serious - for a phone offer it's easier for new cars and in an area where there are a lot of dealers and inventory and it's all about supply and demand. A new car has an absolute cost while every used car has a different cost structure - so it's advisable to make an appointment - look over the car - ask for the carfax - ask to see all that was done to CPO the car.

When I purchased my 2012 CLS550 I was handed a cost sheet for CPO that listed over $3,500 in internal costs which included 4 new tires, 4 wheel alignment etc.

In person - be polite but firm and professional on your $33,900 offer and have them include the extra year of warranty. They might come back at $34,900 and you pay for the extra year of warranty and at that point I'd do the following:

Counter at $34,500 with extra year
Counter at $33,900 no extra year - you can add the extra year for about $1,700
Counter at $34,750 with extra year and tell you're ready to buy
OR - tell them if they don't accept either of the above - thanks for all your time - I'm going to continue to shop for 2011 E350 CPO Coupe but let me know if you'll accept my offer - call me.

Any one of the above has a good chance of working - the incentives are really good right now

If you're payment is $600 a month - MB will pick up the first 2 payments - so that's a discount right there.

All in all - good luck - knowledge is power and being an informed buyer makes you that much stronger in getting your offer accepted in the end.

dkchips

John,

The Galves trade in value for the 2011 E350 Coupe with 27,500 miles you're interested at MB Houston Greenway is $31,075 AND THAT'S a perfect car BUT WITHOUT THE FOLLOWING:

Mercedes extended CPO unlimited mile warranty
Mercedes 2 payment rebates
Mercedes 2 services
Mercedes CPO reconditioning

If you take the values of $31,075 and add in the incentives you're spot on price to offer as recommended in my last comment to you.

Good Luck -

johnadams

dkchips, would you by any chance have the galves on the black on black? I know it will be tough to clean but I think it looks more sportier/younger than the ash interior on the steel gray.

http://mbhoustongreenway.net/Houston...-Car/25542499/

johnadams

i'd wash it every week, not a problem

johnadams

it does have higher mileage, 42k miles on it vs 27k miles.
right now it's at $37k but give it a few weeks and the price would go down to $32k

dkchips

John,

First of all the black car is a base model - the standard wheels and no paddle shifters - and the steering wheel is standard - no multi conture seats - AMG Sportline etc.

The Galves value onthe balck is $27,250 - less than the Gray one

I'm attaching the 2 carfax for both cars the Gray is a little newer and lower miles while the Black car originated ay my home dealer Fletcher Jones - usually FJ saves the best lease returns for their own resale - that's what I buy from them - from what I can gather they passed on buying this from MB Financial services and let it go to auction while the Gray car was originally bought at Greenway.

I'd go for the Gray for many, many reasons - newer build - lower miles - many more options and a mush easier color to live with - believe me - I've had my share of black on black.