xolinlevh

So I bought my C300 around 6 months ago, love the thing to death. But was at the dealer today having a rattle fixed (replaced a blower that was bad) and noticed a nice E350 on the lot. I didnt stop to inspect the window tag too much, but looked it up at home.

http://www.feldmannmercedes.com/cert...db29dcde9a.htm

As much as i love my C, i have found myself driving it with 4-5 people in it more often then i expected, so the extra space of a E would be nice, as would the little extra power From what i can tell this seems to be rather comparably equipped as my C was, mine has:
P1, MM, pano roof, HK sound, roof+trunk spoilers, silver on black MB-tex, i dont have Keyless go or Xenons, but i put in AznOptics HID kit. From the window sticker on the site, it has only P1 and the wheels, what will this mean i will loose option wise from the C? are Pano roofs standard on the '10 Es? because i really love that option....it doesnt mention HK sound on the option tag but the description says it has it, along with backup cam.....are those standard in the P1 package?

They are asking 41 for the E, and as im not too good at the E pricing, is that fair? what can i try to negotiate them down to? I dont like the color, which may be a deal breaker if the deal dosent knock me off my feet.....


Thanks for any input you guys have!!

EmE247

I paid 49k for a brand new 2011 e350 p1, panoramic, and option wheels about a year ago...

I think if u look around, u might be able to find a new 2011 for even cheaper than that...

EmE247

Just saw this in a different thread on this forum...

Seems like u can get a similar or even better deal on a new 2012...

Justngot mine on 12/31/2011
Not looking at the contract. It is a 12 e350 sport, with lane change assist, panorama roof, amg wheel package. Sticker was close to $58,000 and the deal was around $48,000. I am leasing it for 30 months with total of 30k miles, drive off is $2300 and 599 a month tax included and the maintenance program. I didn't shop around as I know the guy for a long time. I did switch from a BMW. And I am in southern cal.

Y buy used when u can buy new with 34k less miles for a lil more $$$ and the peace of mind from buying a new car...

xolinlevh

I would love a new one, im just in a somewhat tight financial window to work with here. The C payments are already near the upper amount i can afford to spare for a car right now. If i was able to trade up, i would need the price diff to be rather small as to not cause a major jump in my monthlys. I'm really horrible at knowing what to pay for cars, esp pre-owned, so was thinking a E even if its a '10, for around 40 was a good deal.....

K-A

Oh wow, being that it's Gold you should get a big discount. When it comes to Used Cars, Options like Pano, etc. become less relevant, however color is a big deal. Gold simply isn't a popular color.

Also, the way MBUSA slashes prices and with how wide spread the purchasing prices on these cars are, it makes figuring out proper resale value on them almost impossible.

I say you throw them an offer for $35K or something, can't hurt.

CEB

Did you look at the photos? It doesn't have the pano roof.

Like K-A said, the color isn't very popular and if you appraise that car on Edmunds, you'll see a pretty hefty "deduct for" that color and the miles. In addition, if the payments on the C are tight now, ask yourself if you really want to get a car that'll be out of warranty in a few thousand miles and may have expensive maintenance.

Jbidwal

i don't know if i got a steal, but i bought a used 2010 white e350 with 19k miles, p2 and upgraded wheels for 30k. Granted it was private party sale. 40k seems a bit high.

aeggroup

This is unbelievable deal. You were very lucky and the guy was probably desperately needed money right away. Even an auction price is higher for this kind of car assuming it has clear title.

Jbidwal

Yes it's a clear title. The previous owner tried to sell it for more but had no luck. He at the end sold it for the amount left on his loan. I think he paid 55k for it in march 2010.

aeggroup

I don't know why he could not sell it. I think even dealer's trade in price would be more.
Manheim's auction price for that kind of car is about 36K.

Anyway...congrats and enjoy.

El Cid

You need to sit in middle back seat before deciding on an E. Says for 5, but IMO it's really a four passenger car.

xolinlevh

Yea if i could find one that well equipped for that price id make the trade in a hearbeat. So realistically If i wanna trade for one thats nicely equipped, a '10 CPO, with P2, i should aim for 37-38kish? Does that sound fair?

K-A

Holy sh*t man, that's an insane deal. Even a Salvaged model I'd think would sell for more than that. What general location was this in?

Even late model W211's with more Miles than that are selling (or priced, at least) above $30K.

ImInPA

The two year residual for a Bluetec is 74%. Not sure what the gassers are.

Big50

Depends on location i think as well. I bought mine for 42K with 26K on the odometer. I probably could have got them to go lower but it was the lowest priced one in the bay area with that low mileage. I didn't realize there were such big discounts going on for new ones I would have considered had I known. At least I saved at least 6k.

K-A

Yeah, location makes a HUGE difference! Cali, especially the Bay Area I'd assume, will have premium prices. Reading your deal makes the $47K buyout currently on my Lease for my 2011 E with 9200 Miles and P2 and the other Options seem pretty enticing!

Jbidwal

I live in the bay area. The seller needed the money so he was willing to sell it for that price and I needed a car quick to. Since it was such a steal, the original plan was to sell or trade in the car as I wanted a new 2013 a5. I asked a few dealers for the trade in value and I'm only getting around 34-35k. At the end, thats not really worth it and I'm actually enjoying the car now. I figure the sedan will be more practical anyway.

aeggroup

The guy who sold it to you was either very stupid or constantly drunk/ high. Why would he sold the car for $30K if a dealer gives $35K for it ?
There is no logic in that action...

Jbidwal

Those were the quotes I got. I'm not sure a dealer would pay the same amount if you simply want to sell them the car for cash ( do they even do that? )

The seller was in a tough situation. He basically got the car with all the options for his son thinking his son was graduating from medical school last year and would be able to start paying for it. His son has yet to graduate and the seller could not afford to continue to make the payments. He simply just wanted his loan paid off ( which luckily was only 30k).

To be honest, I only thought the car was worth 35k myself. I know blue book is around 43k but I wasn't sure I could get that much. Reading what others have posted, maybe I did get a steal.

K-A

That owner was the worst salesman who's ever lived then. $30K is much more than a "steal" for that car. I'd almost be weary if I were yo that you didn't get scammed in some way.... maybe not financially, but on a Salvaged car that may not have been titled as Salvaged or something. Still, I'd assume salvaged versions would sell for more than that.

Anyway, if that's really the cut and dry case, and the story is legit, then run away with that thing and enjoy it. You can probably drive it for a couple of years and come out about even perhaps.

Jbidwal

No it's a legit clear title. I have it registered under my name already and have the title already. The seller also happens to be my dads friend / co worker and that's how I even knew about the deal. The cars not in mint shape but I can live with the minor dings and chips for this price.

aeggroup

Anyway it does not make ANY sense. Let’s say I owe $30K to a bank. I go to a dealer and he gives me $33K for my car, but I'm selling my car to a guy, who gives me $30K. Conclusion - I’m stupid/drunk/blind and have absolutely no brain or all of the above.
Whatever...enjoy your car. I'm probably just too old to believe in fairytales.

Jbidwal

If you can sell it to the dealer outright like that, then yes he screwed up. I didn't know dealers buy cars for cash. I never traded in or sold a car to the dealer so I was under the impression dealers only bought cars if you buy another one from them?

Another thing was the car wasn't in mint shape. All four wheels were curbed up ( I had to buy new wheels ), there is a scratch on the driver door. It's small but deep. Button of the front bumper has been scraped and the black plastic on the back bumper has a shiny spot.

YYZ-E55

Dealer trade in value is not the same as "cash purchase" value. The dealer will give you more on trade because they're getting gross out of the new car deal. If they're just buying the car outright from you, there's less upside for them (and the potential downside of the car sitting on their lot for months unsold).

Jbidwal

Thanks. Should have stated the $34-$35k I was getting was a trade in towards a new a5.