zitsky

I'm looking at a local CPO car, an 04 E500 with pretty much every option except for parktronic and folding rear seats. It's been serviced locally at the same dealer that sold me my 01 C240. The Carfax is pretty good, shows service every 9 months or so. Car was produced in 3/2004, so it has all the features that were decontented in August.

The only thing that stands out is a bunch of work that was done at the end of 2006 around 36,000 miles. It looks like some electrical problems, alternator and COMAND were replaced, and other modules adjusted or replaced.
I can probably get the complete history from the dealer. Considering it has the infamous Airmatic and SBC, which is not covered under CPO, should I run screaming from this car, or consider it? Is this a fair price for this car?

Barry45RPM

SBC is covered for 10 years by MB, isnt it?

zitsky

Yes, you're right. I meant that Airmatic isn't covered under CPO warranty, I believe. That seems to be the most expensive repair item.

xr650rguy

reading my CPO warranty, it appears that it IS covered.

Polar Bear

I would think the Airmatic should be covered - my car does not have it so I cannot be certain but I certainly recall hearing somewhere that it was covered by CPO.

That price seems a little expensive if you ask me. The 2004 model was still an early W211 so they had a few issues here and there but I would think most of them would be worked out on that car. I don't think I would personally be concerned about the items being replaced as long as they are working properly now, and with the CPO you will be taken care of if they fail again (I don't think they will).

Untertürkheim

CPO does cover Airmatic from what I can remember.

zitsky

Thanks to everyone for all the responses. What would you say is a fair price? I was going to offer them $23 or even $21 and see how long it took for them to stop laughing.

Would anyone be worried that the alternator was replaced after only 36,000 miles? Seems a little strange for something like that to go. The car does heated/ventilated seats, so maybe heavy use of those would kill the alternator sooner, rather than later?

enr1co

$23K would be a reasonable offer considering the soft market. They would likely counter with $25K. If they do that tell them you'll do $24K but you want the CPO extended 2 additional years for a total of 3 years. (std CPO warranty is only 100K miles but only 1 year beyond the original 48 month period) 2 years extended warranty time is worth ~$1800-2K.

locomercedes

I recently talked to a Cadillac salesperson about trading my ' 04 E500 for a CTS. He said that 04 E500s with about 50-55k miles are fetching $16-18k in used car auctions. Talk about depreciation! I think with that low mileage and options, I wouldn't pay more than $22-23k.

Untertürkheim

I thought that CPO could be extended by 3 instead of 2, but I am not certain. Your best bet is to find out, and get as much time as possible.

a.brewer

2004 was a 'learning year' for the E and I'd back off on that model myself; however, you can make an equally valid case for striking a good enough bargain to make the hassle of any repair (under warranty) worthwhile

Again, I don't think CPO warranty (even the MB extended, purchased-extra, warranty) goes beyond six years on a chassis--so I'd read the fine print really carefully on any '04 nearing that age

I've been the 'wholesale price' route with a car and it is indeed a humbling reality that our cars are truly just pieces of steel parked on four tires; I don't doubt what you say about the price the Caddy dealer quoted in the least

If you do mostly highway driving the gas mileage on a V8 (of just about any manufacturer) can get reasonably good mileage (20-plus and approaching 30) with a light pedal foot; if you're in stop'n'go or idling at lights a lot you'll pay dearly for those two extra cylinders

Start at $20 K and work up from there, using the things you cited in your OP as talking points; and don't be embarrassed at the silence that follows your offer

In car dealing, remember, 'he who speaks first loses'