knepster

I have an opportunity to get an E500 with less than 3500 miles with Premium, ventilated/heated seats and entertainment package in Silver with Charcoal for this low price (Lists over $68K New). It was an in-service vehicle in end of April of this year. Was traded at a Honda dealership in Florida. Would be purchasing from a Honda/Acura dealership which according to BBB is okay. Carfax checks out, did find that it had minor bodywork from a Mercedes dealership in the Florida area in same town as the Honda dealership, and spoke to the bodyshop that repaired it. Was told no structural damage just a couple of panels and light replaced on muffler rear side. Nothing that looked critical. The bodyshop and mercedes dealership have nothing to gain by fibbing about this stuff since they are not selling it. The Honda/Acura dealership is willing to have it given a pre-inspection at the local Mercedes dealership to make sure everything is aok. i was sent pics of close ups of the paint work and repair. Can I trust this car with a Mereceds pre-inspection bill of health, or should I run.

F1Fan

Does any warranty come with it?

WhiteTrash

my opinion - run.

they had the car less than 4 months and already traded it for a Honda.
Not to mention that it had bodywork done.
Sounds like you could be buying someone else's nightmare, that they were willing to dump at a Honda dealership and take a HUGE financial loss just to get rid of.

knepster

DavidNJ

Does it have xenon lights?

Good color, well equiped, decent price. Actually price seems low. Would have expected a few thousand more. Are they negotiable from $49k?

Are you getting a written statement from the MB dealer?

Also, ask MB dealer if extended warranty is still available from MB.

There are always questions about a used car, however it may be a good deal.

knepster

It has the following:

Premium Package which comes with:

Rear Side-Windows Roller Blinds
· Glass Sunroof
· Driving Dynamic Seat-left
· Driving Dynamic Seat-right
· DVD COMAND Navigation
· Power Rear-Window Sunshade
· harman/kardon Sound System
· Factory Installed 6-Disc CD Changer

Appearance package
· Headlamp Washing System
· Bi-Xenon Active Light System
· 5 Spoke Wheel 17"

Active ventilated and heated seat package

knepster

I would be getting a written statement from a Mercedes dealership for a pre-inspect. I would want them to almost do the same Starmark pre-cert but not sure if the Mercedes dealership would be that thorough since it is not their car they are selling. It comes with 4 year till 4/08. At this point no need for extended warranty. Part of the deal I think is a 4-matic is not a real seller in the south.

knepster

The appearance package also comes with Black Birdseye maple, tinted blue glass and spoilers and skirts for more aggressive look.

DavidNJ

It sounds like a good deal. I talked to someone about a similar E500. Grey/charcoal. It had the phone. I don't remember if it had the appearance package. Never hit. 1900 miles. $57.5k. Two months ago. If it had been $49k we would have probably dropped the CDI for it.

CALBenzo

Sounds like a good deal to me as well if an inspection proves positive. One minor concern, depending upon how many panels required repainting, is that they likely were not repainted with the nano clear coat given the 425 Deg bake for 4 hours or whatever has been reported.

DavidNJ

If it is an pre-April '04 4Matic I don't think it has nano-paint.

cschow

Just ask the MB dealer doing the pre-purchase to pull up the car's paint code and you should be able to tell from that whether it has the nano paint.

knepster

Build was Feb '04, any problems heard about in that month?

moa4r

I would check the service records to make sure there hasn't been an excessive amount of warranty work done on the car, especially if its for the same problem that keeps coming back. Take the VIN to any mercedes dealer's service dept. and tell them your considering the car and they should be able to pull up all the records. Also, make sure its not a manufacturers buy back (even though its from a HOnda dealer, but you never know) was it one owner? I'd negotiate on the price further. It does sounds like a great deal though. GL let us know what you decide.

ATS

To me, it sounds too good to be true.. IMO.

saffrontiger

I second the above mentioned comment. The deal sounds too good to be true. Warranty work? Body damage? Is the structural integrity sound? How can you test this? As a physian, I have seen way too many accidents in which the car was the determing factor in morbidity v. mortality. If you are spending that kind of money on this car, would this really place financial strain on you to spend a thousand or so more to purchase a brand new car with satisfaction that it is "factory fresh". The decision is up to you, but think long and hard. Are you buying someone elses problem car? Way too many unanswerable variables that does not warrant the cost. Be happy and buy something you really want. Lot's of helpful and resourceful people on this board. Look at some 2004's right now. They have amazing deals on the E320/500's.
Best Regards
Jay

knepster

This is what I found out today...
$6000 worth of damage
Original owner got out to get into a Honda V6-EX coupe to cut his payments in half
Was not a mercedes buyback and the only service record on the MB National Database was the bodywork record.
I did speak to the bodyshop and they told me that there was no structural damage, there is no salvage title
Mercedes will run it through a pre-inspect and scrutinize the side where the accident occured.
I am about 50/50 on the fence now. It really does sound too good, $19K discount?

Lakerholic

If Merecedes will do a pre-inspect, you have nothing to lose... like you said, the Merecedes people have nothing to gain by fibbing about any remnants of damage/shoddy bodywork or other unforseen problems. Wait for the report and if it comes out clean or very good, go for it. $49k is a steal, even with body work -- as long as Merecedes gives you a very good or clean report back.

Keep us posted!

Brian_I.

Don't do it, it's too good to be true. But can you forward me the number to the dealership please.

Ormond2004

Can you speak with the former owner? The Honda dealership should have the name. I have avoided trouble in the past by speaking with a prior owner.

Good luck!!

saffrontiger

Go with your "gut" feeling. Hate to see a fellow MBworld'r get burned. On the other hand, if you feel good about the deal, drive it off the lot and happy motoring!

Barry45RPM

It really does sound too good, $19K discount?

Its really not a "discount"...Its the asking price for a used car, a savings over buying new... It does represent a savings to you, however.

Have you driven the car? Bring along some "business card magnets" slap them on the sheet metal in various areas. See if panels have been replaced or banged out & skinned. It the paint a perfect match? Any "orange peel"? Any car can need a body repauir. There are a lot of crappy drivers & slobs out there. 6 grand on a Benz may not be a big job depending on what was hit/replaced.

knepster

Im up in NY and have been going by photos and various party's input, Mercedes, Acura dealership and Body Part Shop. All have seen it since the body work was done and have told me it is impeccable. Also, it does not have the nanotech paint since its build was February. I made them an offer which was their list on the internet for $49K (on the lot it is $54K) AND told them to pay for the Mercedes written pre-cert and the $800 shipping. THe ball is in their court. I will walk away if they can not meet these requests. I have been pretty much in their face for 3 days so they know I am 110% interested. Just got approval from my credit union today and can fedex a check tommorrow, they know it. So let's see what happens.

knepster

Its a done deal they are sending the paperwork that states that for $49K they will ship it to NY & pay the out of pocket for Mercedes dealership to pre-cert it (not Starmark, but give it a sign off as to a clean bill of health--and if it is not given a clean bill I can rescind on the offer)

If it doesn't work out I will trade it up for a C55 in 2005

benzboy

I hope it works out for you but this deal has an odor about it!