Advice on 2012 e350 purchase: carmax or CPO
08-27-2014, 08:21 PM
#26
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2011 E350 4MATIC
Last Thursday I saw a 2011 E350 4MATIC w/ 27K miles on the CarMax web site for a "no-haggle" price of $31,098. I requested CarMax ship it to the location nearest me (Rockville, MD) so I could check it out.
On Sunday morning I was perusing the autotrader.com site and saw a 2011 E350 4MATIC w/ 29K miles at a MB dealership in VA for $32,000. I went to VA in a 2003 Honda Pilot and came home in my first CPO MB! Very pleased so far. I paid $31,500. I chose the dealership because the price included:
* First two payments covered by MB as credits (financed through MB)
* First two maintenance services are covered (and I don't have to drive 45 miles to VA for the services!)
* 1-year extended warranty that kicks in after the factory warranty expires
There are 14 months remaining on the factory warranty (only six months remaning on the CarMax MB), and that was a very important factor in my decision. I have no complaints against CarMax, as they gave me a super-generous appraisal on my Pilot, which went towards the down payment on the MB.
On Sunday morning I was perusing the autotrader.com site and saw a 2011 E350 4MATIC w/ 29K miles at a MB dealership in VA for $32,000. I went to VA in a 2003 Honda Pilot and came home in my first CPO MB! Very pleased so far. I paid $31,500. I chose the dealership because the price included:
* First two payments covered by MB as credits (financed through MB)
* First two maintenance services are covered (and I don't have to drive 45 miles to VA for the services!)
* 1-year extended warranty that kicks in after the factory warranty expires
There are 14 months remaining on the factory warranty (only six months remaning on the CarMax MB), and that was a very important factor in my decision. I have no complaints against CarMax, as they gave me a super-generous appraisal on my Pilot, which went towards the down payment on the MB.
Last edited by OTOWN350; 08-27-2014 at 08:24 PM.
08-27-2014, 09:02 PM
#27
MBWorld Fanatic!
That's a great example of shopping Carmax and the dealer to get the best price/car for you. Longer warranty plus the extra year unlimited miles CPO for a negligible price difference. Sounds like you may have gotten a late 2011 to have that much warranty left. Does it have comand 4.0 or 4.5?
The first two payments is a nice bonus that nets you $1,200. I think the rate is 2.99%. My credit union was offering 1.99% which negated the two months payment benefit for me. That and the CPO car was several thousand more at my local dealer.
The first two payments is a nice bonus that nets you $1,200. I think the rate is 2.99%. My credit union was offering 1.99% which negated the two months payment benefit for me. That and the CPO car was several thousand more at my local dealer.
08-28-2014, 07:53 AM
#28
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2011 E350 4MATIC
I think it is a late year model, but I'm not certain. I do know the in-service date is 10/31/2011.
Yeah, I got the 2.99% rate, maintenance services, and credits as part of a monthly CPO sales event. I think it's a national, yearly event to clear inventory from the lots. This holiday weekend might actually be a really good time to monitor CPO specials from dealers, could be some very good deals to be had. Even though I already bought my car, I've been monitoring the online prices from nearby MB dealers, and they are going down.
Your 1.99% rate is awesome.
Good question about the COMAND version. I'll have to check that . . .
Yeah, I got the 2.99% rate, maintenance services, and credits as part of a monthly CPO sales event. I think it's a national, yearly event to clear inventory from the lots. This holiday weekend might actually be a really good time to monitor CPO specials from dealers, could be some very good deals to be had. Even though I already bought my car, I've been monitoring the online prices from nearby MB dealers, and they are going down.
Your 1.99% rate is awesome.
Good question about the COMAND version. I'll have to check that . . .
08-28-2014, 09:02 AM
#29
MBWorld Fanatic!
Check your build month on the driver's door placard too. Probably 7/11 or later. My 2011 was put in service almost a year before yours. Your lucky with a late build as you may avoid potential issues/TSB like the faded wood, more warranty left, etc.
Comand 4.5 should be easy to spot with the sd slot on the radio and media interface in center console instead of glove box. You may also share the lcd speedo display with the 2012 models instead of the older 2010/2011 look.
Comand 4.5 should be easy to spot with the sd slot on the radio and media interface in center console instead of glove box. You may also share the lcd speedo display with the 2012 models instead of the older 2010/2011 look.
08-28-2014, 11:51 AM
#30
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2012 E350 sedan
Just got my CPO under this program
Last Thursday I saw a 2011 E350 4MATIC w/ 27K miles on the CarMax web site for a "no-haggle" price of $31,098. I requested CarMax ship it to the location nearest me (Rockville, MD) so I could check it out.
On Sunday morning I was perusing the autotrader.com site and saw a 2011 E350 4MATIC w/ 29K miles at a MB dealership in VA for $32,000. I went to VA in a 2003 Honda Pilot and came home in my first CPO MB! Very pleased so far. I paid $31,500. I chose the dealership because the price included:
* First two payments covered by MB as credits (financed through MB)
* First two maintenance services are covered (and I don't have to drive 45 miles to VA for the services!)
* 1-year extended warranty that kicks in after the factory warranty expires
There are 14 months remaining on the factory warranty (only six months remaning on the CarMax MB), and that was a very important factor in my decision. I have no complaints against CarMax, as they gave me a super-generous appraisal on my Pilot, which went towards the down payment on the MB.
On Sunday morning I was perusing the autotrader.com site and saw a 2011 E350 4MATIC w/ 29K miles at a MB dealership in VA for $32,000. I went to VA in a 2003 Honda Pilot and came home in my first CPO MB! Very pleased so far. I paid $31,500. I chose the dealership because the price included:
* First two payments covered by MB as credits (financed through MB)
* First two maintenance services are covered (and I don't have to drive 45 miles to VA for the services!)
* 1-year extended warranty that kicks in after the factory warranty expires
There are 14 months remaining on the factory warranty (only six months remaning on the CarMax MB), and that was a very important factor in my decision. I have no complaints against CarMax, as they gave me a super-generous appraisal on my Pilot, which went towards the down payment on the MB.
Although I live in Vegas, I buy most of my cars in LA due to much better deals (CPOs typically 20% cheaper than here). I test drive cars here to see what I like, then I internet/phone shop and fly down to pick up the car. Minimal hassle and no games. Shopping the LA region, I can almost always get a CPO for a better price than CarMax for the same car. Got a 2012 (not 4matic) with 15K for $34K. Also all the dealers here try to get a $500 doc fee!!!!
08-28-2014, 12:04 PM
#31
MBWorld Fanatic!
That's reminds me of how I almost flew to Virginia to buy a Prius in winter since the deals were much better there at the time. Here in Florida, the average price of a 2011 E350 CPO is about $35-6k so you can typically save thousands at other dealers or Carmax. The MB dealer is just not competitively priced. Heard they were more reasonable in Miami area and some folks make that trip to save.
