I am taking delivery of a 2011 E550 tomorrow with 17500 miles and clean car fax and auto check reports. I have an appointment with my local dealer for what they call a per inspection for $199.00. I wanted to establish baseline.

Any words of wisdom?

 

You aren't buying it from a Mercedes dealer? If not then you should have had the pre-inspection done before you bought it.

 

I don't know what's involved in a "per inspection for $199", but my dealer offers a "free" multipoint inspection. Mercedes should be able to pull all the service records for your vehicle, assuming it was dealer serviced.

 

If you're buying from an authorized MBZ dealer, then you shouldn't have to worry as the car is under a CPO warranty and has been reconditioned to spec. If you are buying elsewhere, a PPI is recommended and $199 is not that bad of a price for peace of mind.
Make sure you have some decent life left on the brakes, and a good battery. Other than that, I can't think of anything else to beware of. Good luck and post some pics!

 

I picked up the car Wednesday it has 17800 miles and until Feb 2014 factory warranty. So rather than a per inspection that did not make any sense at this point I just had the local dealer do a 20k service on Friday. They found nothing wrong, brakes were good and only thing is the Nav is out of date. So I think I am going to be OK. I guess the only way to update the Nav is $259 from MB?

 

The nav update is a rip-off. The dealer may or may not be able to get you one but you can order online. Be prepared to spend about two and a half hours doing the update.

 

I know my wife has an Infinity and the Nav has been out of date since new. I just got a Garmin for a Europe vacation and it was perfect. I just hate it hanging from the windshield. The dealer quoted $259 is it much cheaper on line? I under stand it is specific to the vin.

 

For an authentic OEM NAV, it's best to get it done by the dealer, that way you have some recourse. I've seen it as low as $249. If you think about it that's like 2 1/2 Tanks of gasoline, LOL.

Congrats on the E550, btw. You don't see many of them on the road and the 5.4L engine is a solid engine.

 

OK I have had the car little over a week so far very nice. My only complaint is with the steering wheel adjusted for me, I cannot see the turn signals indicators. In my last two cars I had an indication on the mirrors that clued.

 

I understand what you are saying. I am an average 5'10 and when I am adjusted the way I want to be I do not see the turn indicators. It pisses me off every time I use them

 

Nice! Post done pics up when you can! I am really loving my W212 so far

 

I will maybe this weekend. This morning early I had a chance to push it kind of hard and straight line it feels every bit as fast as a 2006 Porsche Cayman S I had. I was impressed.

 

With the delivery of a freight train, I might add. The V8 engine is smooth as silk. Nice avatar BTW!

 

The V8 engine is smooth as silk. Agree. But, I would like to change the sound of the exhaust without it costing an arm and leg.

 

Ok got a picture to post.

 

very nice!!!

 

I am wondering how to determine what features the car has. Being new to MB I looked through the options on the console and did not see anything that refers to Lane assist, Distronic etc. Is there an easier way to figure out since the owners manual is generic...?

 

Don't know. Other than sit with the manual and look for the control, button or light. Thats what I did.

Still looking for the good sounding exhausting button like I had on my Cayman .

 

If you are buying from an MB dealer have them run the VIN and produce the original build sheet and window sticker for the car. It will tell you all options listed and the original window sticker for the car.

The dealer I just bought my E550 from I think mistakenly sent me the original dealer cost for the car new before sending me the retail sticker immediately after..!. Looks like the dealer makes about 4500k at least on a '11 E550 4M car with P2. Their cost versus retail..

 

Two ways - ask your local dealer to print a copy of your car's Data Card. If you'd rather not do that, PM me the VIN and an email address and I'll send you a PDF with the data on your car's features and options.

 

Two plus week into this great car. One think I noticed when I wash it and the key is not in the car or really close by the door appear to lock and unlock. Light flash on and off? Any ideas? Is this normal?

 

Frank, there are sensors in all four door handles, that will open/close the vehicle at the slightest touch, provided that the key is close by. Hope this helps, and congrats again.

 

haha, yes quite, I always leave my key inside while doing the washing business......then go in and get the key for wiping down door jams and the like

 

I had my keys in the garage this time and in the house the the last time so I guess the range is quite long?

 

You can also call Mercedes-Benz USA and give them the VIN # and they can do the same. They used to mail you a copy of the original sticker, but they charge for that these days. I think they can still email you a PDF of the options/packages on your car for free though. Give them a call to be sure.