2011 E550 w/ 14K miles vs. 2011 E550 w/36k miles
 

I am in the process of either purchasing a 2011 E550 w/ 14 miles or 2011 E550 with 36k miles for 3K less. The cars are identical except for the leather color inside and mileage. There is approx 2 years left of warranty on both (which I will get an additional warranty as well). Which one should I choose as this is my first MB. Thanks for any advice you can give me!!

I am a former licensed auto wholesaler.

If two cars are basically identical, then you use mileage to calculate a value difference.

For luxury cars - you can easily figure between .20 and .25 cents per mile to determine value.

At a 22k difference in miles, the car with 36k should be at least $4400-$5500 less than the car with 14k miles.

I would just get the one with fewer miles as a matter of principle, so long as carfax clean and you've reviewed the MB service record....

I agree with the others - I'd take the lower mileage vehicle. Condition wise they are equal? How are the tires?

Both vehicles are in great condition and tires are the same. The car with 14miles is $42,995 and the one with 36k miles is $39,995. On a side not that car was a blast to drive!!! Especially the seat bolstering when you turn!!

The car with the 36K mileage has probably had the tires replaced. It may also have the brakes replaced. To be sold as a CPO vehicle it cannot have badly worn tires or brakes. The 14k car has half worn tires but it still has less wear on the whole package. Check the CARFAX on both, some dealers faithfully and specifically record the services performed, like tires, required services and brakes. I also watch for cars that have had a lot of tires and rims replaced, a sure sign of someone who has a pothole magnet and beat the car.

These are both CPO cars? Where are you at? They sound pricey.

They are both CPO and I live in the bay area (California).

The tires on the car with 36k look brand new just about, so 90% tread left approximately.

So the higher mileage car has the drive dynamic seat while the other one does not?

Are you sure they both are either P1 or P2 cars?

They must both be P2 cars at those prices. Pano roofs as well? Any other goodies, like Distronic, parktronic, lane assist, park assist......?

+1

I would compare the cars and look at short term maintenance as well. You should factor some maintenance into the total cost. All other things being equal, I would also go with the lower mileage option.

Both are P2's, have Pano, drive dynamic, Parktronic.

I am definitely leaning towards the lower mileage car. What is a fair price for the lower mileage and the higher mileage as well? Please remember this is in the bay area where things are pretty pricey. I do appreciate all of your knowledge and experience!!

You should also consider how many miles per year you drive. With only two years left, will you put on too many miles on the higher mileage car before the two years is up? Also, are you sure two years at left on a 2011?

For the lower mileage one you should look around $35k I think.

I actually only drive about 10-12k a year. I will see how it goes when I attempt to negotiate with the lower mile vehicle Friday or Saturday.

MB CPO is unlimited miles warranty and 1 year extension on original warranty. So that would mean 5yr/unlm mile from the date the vehicle was first sold.

E550s sell for a few thousand more than E350s.

Go to Edmund's, TrueCar or Kelley Blue Book and calculate the wholesale and retail prices for your Zipcode.

That is exactly the same with both of the cars. I would most likely get some sort of an extended warrantly as well.

Manheim wholesale numbers for E550 (2wd)


04/02/14 ATLANTA Regular $26,000 61,730 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes
04/09/14 SAN ANTO Regular $25,700 78,082 Avg GRAY 8G A Yes
04/10/14 RIVRSIDE Lease $33,000 26,462 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes
04/10/14 DFW Regular $36,750 19,564 Above WHITE 8G A No
04/10/14 ATLANTA Regular $26,000 61,663 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes
04/11/14 NEVADA Regular $33,800 22,875 Above WHITE 8G A Yes
04/17/14 NEVADA Lease $28,500 45,526 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes
04/23/14 PALM BCH Regular $27,000 33,772 Avg BLACK 8G A No
04/30/14 SF BAY Lease $33,500 26,027 Above BLACK 8G A Yes

4matic 2011 e550 wholesale numbers

04/02/14 ATLANTA Lease $32,500 33,858 Avg STL GRY 8G P Yes
04/03/14 PA Lease $32,500 47,566 Avg STL GRY 8G P Yes
04/16/14 TAMPA Regular $39,200 23,832 Above White 8G A No
04/17/14 PA Regular $29,500 54,736 Avg BLACK 8G P Yes
04/17/14 PA Lease $28,000 62,690 Below IRI SIL 8G P Yes
04/17/14 CHICAGO Lease $34,000 22,379 Above BLACK 8G A Yes
04/30/14 KC Lease $30,000 55,154 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes

You'd be hard pressed to find a non CPO 14K PII/Pano package for that price. 35 is too low in my opinion

no 'good' options? :)


I'd say go for lower miles and try to squeeze them for anything like they'd squeeze you....
and F the tires.......but new Michelins on the way home :)
good luck and let us know when it's done:y


btw: how is there two years left on each warranty?

i do love that active seat .. it's a must have for my next car ... I'm having a hard time adjusting to my 2k8 G35x without active seats...

I had a 2008 G37S coupe that I ordered new to play around with. I sold it at 18 months because I could not stand the seats. Most uncomfortable car I had ever purchased. I had the drive dynamic seats in my E500 and now my E550. I love the E class seats. My wife misses the passenger dynamic seat, which is no longer offered.