Sage555

Thanks for some really information posts. Liked the torque of a BT and saw nice piece today but had a few worries
1. Its a RWD - Is that a safety issue in the North East where I just moved into
2. This is a 2011 with sport and P1, why would they ask for 41K even if it were CPO ?. Is a 20% depreciation in 2 years fair?
3. Its my first bluetec. It did sound very rough while accelerating. The Audi A6 Diesel was a lot smoother. Is this to be expected?. The highway passing was fine.
4. I had to change the flywheel of a diesel after 40K miles just out of warranty. Cost me $1500. What is the maintenance for a E350 looking like? Is the flywheel an issue that can be faced

Any input would be really appreciated as I need to confirm over the next few days. Comparing with an Audi A6

ghstudio

Lets start with 2)....the wholesale value of that car is about $30K...they are asking $41 because they want to and think someone might actually pay that....it's far too high.

1) many drive rear drive vehicles in the NE but obviously 4WD is better in snow.

3) I am driving a 2011 BT and it isn't rough at all....although it sounds a bit different than a gas car.

4) Maintenance on any MB is expensive, but I don't think the engine in the 350 has any inherent reliability problems.

One note....there was a running change in 2011 in the comand (nav) system. If the car you are looking at has a wide slot under the screen, it is the older (less desireable) comand 4.0. If it has a small slot and was built after june 2011, it has the newer comand 4.5.

It is a great car....sorry I have to give it back but my lease expires in Dec.

Sage555

Thanks very much ghstudio! Yes. They point to the internet sites to justify the price but even at 35K I would think it fair. I will try to negotiate

Thanks for the rest of the information. I felt it rough but don't have another diesel to compare with. Do you think that with the new 250BT and its super efficient diesel, there will be a large drop in resale values on the 2011?

aeggroup

I agree with ghstudio about wholesale price. Manheim value for this car is about $30-$32K depending on condition. The only issue is - just 22 cars was sold on Manheim this year nationwide, so it means this car is in high demand and it reflects a dealer price. Also, CPO warranty ( as dealer says) usually adds up about $3K to the price.
I drive this car in North East, but we have SUV for very rare snowy days. During last 3 years that I drive RWD car - it was parked may be 3-4 days when it was very bad outside, other than this it's safe to drive in any weather.
Engine sound is different compared to gas version, but you get used to it in couple days.
In general - I love this car. I don't think the value will drop because of new 4cyl engine. Many people will look specifically for 6 cyl engine.

Sage555

Hey thanks! Especially about the RWD. I really wish I could get this at a reasonable price.

aeggroup

One more thing....

I don't think you must search for CPO cars only, especially when talking about 2011-2012 MY. Just make sure you still have at least one year of factory warranty left and you'll be covered for the first time god forbid something happens. After that - you can always buy extended warranty from any MB dealer. I just checked Autotrader and there are bunch of cars to choose from in $35K-$37K range asking price with no more than 30K miles on odometer. Some of them even CPO.

Here is examples :

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...gIndex=4&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...Index=10&Log=0

Raymond Lee

Key is how well the car has been maintained and serviced besides what has been said already.

DC-IT

What's the mileage?
Check if it needs a tranny fluid change and Diesel fuel filter change as these could be expensive service.
Better still make the dealer do these service as part of the deal?


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Arrie

If you moved into an area with snow months why would you even think about getting this car without AWD?

Fight the "car bug bite" and spend time with MBUSA car search engine and find you an nice low mileage CPO AWD with options you want.
It needs to be a P2 equipped and forget saving a few $k between P1 and P2. After you get the P1 car and the "new" wears off you will regret every day you did not get a P2 equipped car. And this goes with the AWD too.

Sage555

[QUOTE=DC-IT;5812557]What's the mileage?
Check if it needs a tranny fluid change and Diesel fuel filter change as these could be expensive service.
Better still make the dealer do these service as part of the deal?



The car has run about 25K miles in New York, good condition but the bumper has been touched up. Fuel filter changes with new tyres

Sage555

Regarding AWD. I really don't have the experience however was wondering if it really made such a difference. As you can see above, people seem to be using this very comfortably in the North East. Also I would have thought the ABS and traction control would be good enough

I will check on MBUSA. I have never use the high end features, other than a new Honda Accord, which seemingly has more technology than a MB at half the cost! So this is worth considering especially the brake function

Arrie

It is a night and day difference in snow conditions. RWD, of course can be used but if you are getting the car now you really need the AWD if you live in snow conditions.

paking

+1
P2 was a deal breaker for me.

El Cid

When I ordered my 2010, I looked carefully at P2 and passed on it. No regrets at all.
Can't speak for AWD vs. RWD, but people drove in the Northeast for a century without AWD or FWD.
Snow & ice not a big issue where I live, but my attitude has always been to stay home. Run off the road three times by people who lost control of theirs (including two 4x4's). Not whether my car would go or whether I could drive it, but the other 1,000 nuts out there. I'm sure there are people in NE who can't drive in snow/ice either.
Does it have a spare tire? If not, is that an issue?

Sage555

:-) thanks El Cid. It does not have a spare tire as that where the Blue tank is. However the tyre are supposed to be self healing. Net net, at an average or 12 to 15K miles an year, I think that the 4-5K premium that dealers are asking for the Bluetec over the Gas version does not seem to stack up. The dealer cartel seems to be very strong and the while internet gives transparency, I see how its being used to hold prices up too!

mikemargolis

I have a 2011 E350 Bluetec and live in New England.

Have never had an issue with rear wheel drive, but I do run four snow tires from November to March. Having lived here all my life, we have survived with rwd just fine thank you. It is super rare that you get caught in a foot of snow, and if you do, either pull over and wait it out, or go very cautiously and you'll be fine. I am not a fan of AWD actually.

As everybody said, get this car CPO'd, then your warranty goes to 100K instead of 50K.

I have P2 and would not go for a P1 car. The headlights alone are worth the extra money, nevermind keyless go etc...

Mine now has over 50,000 miles and has been flawless.

MDMercedesGuy

With proper skills (and perhaps sandbags in the trunk if it all goes bad), RWD is just fine in the snow.

An AWD car is going to get you up to speed in the snow, it's not going to help you stop any better.

Sage555

Just not getting a good deal on the diesels so going in for a 2011 BT for about 40K - P2 + Distronic etc. However the car service date is 2010 so its 3 years old. I am really worried about the short warranty...

lbgottlieb

Just throwing this out there for the OP in regards to driving RWD in winter. I don't drive a RWD but my mechanic owns a Pontiac G8. We live in the Chicago suburbs so we know what it's like to make it through a bad winter. He swaps a Cooper winter tire (don't know the name) and says neither he nor his wife have any issues with winter driving at all. From what I've read on the forum, a RWD car with snow tires can make a driver better than one who drives an AWD vehicle with all-season tires. YMMV.....

ImInPA

+1 With a set of Michelin X-Ice on my E350 Bluetec, I never had any issues at all getting around in the white stuff. It is a great car and I hope the OP has many good years of service from it. Mine was remarkable.

mikemargolis

I have an 11 with 50K miles and P2. No problem, but get it CPO'd, then you'll get the warranty to 100K. Dealer can explain what is covered under CPO and what ends at 50K

instantfob

My dealer just CPO'd my 2012 Bluetec 16k miles that I traded on 11/13/2013.
It's P1 with spoiler. Silver on Black.

http://www.keyesmercedes.com/vehicle...s-1331123.html

**JAY-V**

I wonder if they'll CPO mine too LOL!

Sage555

I took possession on my Bluetech. Its a 2011 model P2, Distronic+, Panorama Roof, Parktronics, Power seats etc. Done 38K miles as its inservice date was Nov 2010. Decided that I could managed the RWD risk. Thanks a lot for your comments.
The car seem to move to the right. I am wondering if its because 3 tires are new and one has run 18K miles, Do you think that is a possibility?
Also, have not taken the extend warranty and the paid up service. Any suggestions? Can I defer the Extended Warranty decision till end of my CPO warranty ie Sept 2015