Yesterday, I went to a huge Lincoln-Mercury dealer and bought a 2005 E500 4 Matic with 34K miles on, having Appearance and Premium Packages for $27,500.00. It was a beauty outside and in. It was running like a brand new car. I test-drove many of the similar cars for the past few weeks and this one stood out the best in milege, pristine look and performance.

The dealer bought the car at an auction for $30,000 last November and with fees they spent $30,700 for this car. They listed it for $35,000 and a lady last Februay 15th bought it for $34,500.00 (a $500 discount). She had to return it after a few days of driving because one of her two co-signers rejected to sign at last.

Three days ago they reduced the price to $27,900.00 by a margin of $7,100.00. I have no idea why. The salesperson didn't know either and he guessed the dealer just wanted to get rid of this MB and/or it's buyer's market and/or 4Matic is not popular this time of the year and/or maybe the price of gas is getting too high. He said he was holding the keys himself before it is sold to other people (I called that morning to make an appointment for a test drive) and he said it happens that a car could get sold right before an interested party on the way to the dealer to take a look.

BTW, the original owner bought it new for over $68,000.00 3 years ago.
Poor soul had to get it taken away.

I went to the finance officer and asked for an extended warranty. He said there are three kinds for a bumper to bumper for the warranty company they deal with. It is $3,800.00 for a 3 year 50K mile BTB warranty. I said no way. He was playing with a caculator and said he can give me a great deal, "$3,650.00!" I said I can get it for $2,000.00 and he gave up and went back to the paperwork.

Another salesperson was hanging around this office and we were making a joke around and the finance person looked a little annoyed.
We were talking about the extended warranty and I boasted out "I can seriously get a 3 year 50K mile BTB extended warranty for less than $3,000.00 if I research and I know what I'm talking about, and I won't go with any company. I can go with one of the best providers at that price." The finance officer suddenly stopped what he was doing and restarted to read the thick book on the warranty option, typed some number on the computer and said, "I can get you the same coverage from the same company but at $2,800.00. I now found a way to do so!" He went on to add that he made $50.00 by submitting this application.

I didn't even get a finance from the dealer. I had a great rate from Capital one and used the blank check.

Question #1: Did I robbed the dealer or was I made that way by the dealer?
(How do you like/hate the car price and the warranty?)

Question #2: How can I reset the analog clock on the left side of the dashboard?

 

Typically is is sync'd with the COMAND which gets it's time from GPS satellites. If you go through the IC menus, you will find an option to sync the clock with the COMAND. Enable this option. Then press the SERV button on the COMAND and you will see where to adjust the clock to the appropriate timezone by adjusting the hour. Press OK when complete and you will see the analog clock adjust.

 

Thanks much. I'll try.

 

Do you have any thoughts regarding the question #1?

 

That sounds like a decent price on a well optioned and good condition car. If the car has no accident history and has maintenance records it sounds like you did well. It is difficult to find some of these cars with decent options on them. I had to search for a while to locate my CDI with any options - lucked up and found one with Keyless-Go, Bi-Xenon, Dynamic Seats, Ventilated Seats, Trunk Closer, etc., which is VERY hard to locate on a diesel.

Sounds like a nice car.

I would go my your local Mercedes dealer and see what they can sell you a warranty for. Any dealer can sell an aftermarket warranty and the prices will vary for the same coverage - just depends on how much the dealer wants to make. But I would start with an MB dealer just to get a base price on the warranty.

 

This car has no accident history, but no maintenence records either which I didn't like. I bought the warranty there at that price. I searched a little bit on the warranty before I went and bought the car so I guess I got a good deal on that one too. But who knows? I'm not that knowlegeable in warranty purchasing.

 

Just an idea, but register your car at MBUSA.com and you might be able to get it's maintenance history that way. I tried with my pre-owned but wasn't successful. You may have better luck.

 

You can also get a Carfax report-they typically show everything about the car if you want to be sure.

Dealers don't lose money so I doubt you robbed him-even if you did, who cares they probably have more money than you!

 

top 7 listings were above average cond.
04/03/08 MANHEIM Lease $27,750 23,821 Above PEWTR 8G A Yes
03/26/08 NADE Lease $26,250 17,834 Above CPR BLU 8G A Yes
03/26/08 NADE Lease $25,250 30,674 Above PLT BLU 8G A Yes
03/25/08 FAAO Lease $26,000 43,984 Above BLACK 8G A No
03/20/08 MANHEIM Regular $27,000 32,558 Above WHITE 8G A Yes
03/18/08 DFW Lease $29,500 20,766 Above BRI SIL 8G A No
03/13/08 RIVRSIDE Lease $27,250 15,578 Above CPR BLU 8G A Yes
04/09/08 W PALM Lease $24,000 42,237 Avg BRI SIL 8G A Yes
04/08/08 ST LOUIS Lease $24,500 32,500 Avg BRI SIL 8G A Yes
enjoy the car you did fine.

 

Will do. Keep my fingers crossed.

I wonder, however, if someone lost a car because of non-payment (the car was bought at an action by the dealer), it looks obvious to me that he/she would've never cared for the maintenence because of the expense. Well, what I do I know?

Thanks though.

 

I have the autocheck done and it showed nothing.

 

Thanks for your encouraging reply, the boogers.

 

Let's hope that didn't happen. My ex had a CLK350 she leased and changed the oil one time over 33k miles (only a 27k miles lease) and I think it ended up getting repoed - we broke up so I don't care, but I feel sorry for whoever ends up with that car.

 

First off. congrats! The E500 is one sweet ridin' V8! I imagine the car is not a salvage?

Seems like you got a great deal! Enjoy!

 

Yup, you got a great deal, welcome to the fam. and enjoy her! Oh, are you going to mod or remain stock?

 

Average auction price today for that car is $23,200 with 43k miles. Above average condition cars go for an avg $26,800. Last november the average auction price was $29,600. So, the dealer's claim that they paid $30k is dead on.

The dealer did better selling it to you than trying to dump it back at auction. And, got yourself a great deal! I love it when everybody wins

 

Maybe I'm going to mob...60%. lol
I'll have get this one serviced as soon as possible, being oil change or anything.
Yes, I think I got a good deal.

Thank you all for your encouraging posts.

 

Thanks for your great info about the auction price.
And you sound reasonable about the dealer's position that had to dispose the car for their own liquidity.

BTW, my car has 34K miles.

This car RUNS GREAT NOW!!! A little heavy in consumption though...

 

Yeah to confirm that, bought mine last Dec 07. Mine was around 35k on the odom too and it was around the same price to that dealer. You've got a great deal. Man, I wish I have waited but than again, I would never found this forum with great people on here. I was walking into this car without any noticable knowledge. After I have been on this forum for the last 4 months, I have learned a great deal about my car and my future car. AMG here I come...probably the next 3 years or so.

So far I'm enjoying my car alot. Especially the V8, power on tap when I do need it. There are time I has to used it. Man, smooth shifting, and seeing the distance I'm leading on the car behind me in the rearview mirror...loving it...

According to the on board computer, I getting 27.xx on the highway. I do drive 22 miles one way to work. Great for a V8 don't you think. I'm not lead footed that's why.

 

I guess mine is eating more gas than yours, due to 4Matic. lol
I see average 16 mpg for the past two days, running with mostly city style-stop and go. Well, what can I do? I drive a v8 4Matic!

 

That's sound about right from what I am seeing other people on this forum with car like your. 16-18 usually in the city.

 

Congrats on the car ! To find the service/maintenance history of the car, go to your local MB dealer and ask one of the SA's or used car sales persons to run a VMI (Vehicle Master Inquiry) for you....most will do this. You'll then have the complete history of the car, done at an MB dealer.

 

2 things:


1. never trust anything a dealer tells you. like how they paid $30k for that car.

2. something sounds fishy - someone bought the car for $34k and returns it just a few days later, and the dealer lowers the price by $8k?



hope u got a good car, did you do a thorough PPI by a master mechanic, check out VMI, carfax & autocheck? goodluck,

 

I'm looking for a good master mechanic to do a PPI on a car I'm about to buy. My best friend, now deceased owned the car since new so there is no mystery there. 1991 300CE, 8,800 miles. I live in Plymouth. Would appreciate any suggestions on where to go and who to avoid. Thanks

 

The lady who bought before me didn't even register at the local DMV.

I don't know...