I am new here (new to "forums", period). So, I am apologizing in advance should I be breaking any rules by what I post.

My 2010 E350 was totaled in a t-bone crash on the drivers side 8-5-15. Am certain the Benzo prevented injuries as "the other guy" ran a stop light at 30 MPH and my partner was dc'ed from the ER hours later. In any case, I am on the market to buy a new Benzo. I have taken my time and done some research (my partner would say that my research has been extensive).

After test driving a 2013 e550, I decided that I *must have* the 8 cylinder and then I drove a 2012 cls550 and have now accepted the fact that a '13 550 is more likely than the a '12cls.

Your input is appreciated!

My important criteria: CPO or have an extended warranty in effect, I like the side stability and back massage feature(not going to make or break a "deal" tho)... Prefer "lighter" colors for int/ext. Price I want to spend: $43k

Car 1- http://www.mbelcajon.com/certified/M...cce55165d5.htm

2013 e550, CPO
pkg 2, blind assist, "Amg wheels"
25k miles (***has been for sale for 160 days, please comment on this!***)

ASKING PRICE: $49k (although for the last month it's been listed as $46k)- just noticed today that the price on the website jumped $3k (why? Is this a gmimick/scam/tease).
Pros: CPO, low miles, unlimited mileage warranty with the option to purchase 2 more years, back and side stability system with back massage
Cons: price!, dark/dark color



Car 2- http://www.mbsd.com/detail-2013-merc...-14130621.html

2013 e550, CPO (on the market for less than 7 days)
pkg 1/pkg , blind assist
36kmiles
ASKING PRICE: $46k
Pros: CPO, white/beige color,
Cons: no massage/stability seat system


Car 3-
http://www.lexuselcajon.com/details/.../6313985?cid=0

2012 cls550 (on the market for 90 days)
45k miles
ASKING PRICE: $41k
Pros: price, it's a cls, it's sexy, seat side stability
Cons: not CPO, ELW would cost about $4k (already priced it), "higher" miles, dark/dark colors, 11 months of original warranty left.

For some reason, I feel leery of buying from a private party- and being a woman, too, makes me a bit more leery of buying from a private party vs a dealer (mb or not)... Maybe I need therapy. Rather be bent over by a dealer... Go figure.

One mb salesman told me he "could get" me free maintenance for 2 years... Well does he think I'm an idiot? His dealership is advertising the 12/13/14 deal in which u get "free" maintenance but this dude is trying to pass it off as if he's giving me a deal! I have done my research!!!

 

I'm not a big fan of the CLS shape so I have to go with the 2nd option! Love that leather and just white cars overall! Good luck!

 

The E550 is much easier to see out of.

 

Merc USA frequently offers to make two payments (up to $600/ea?) and two years of prepaid maintain on CPO cars.

I think you have to finance the car through Merc Financial for the free $, but you can simply pay it off or re-fi it once they make the "payment(s)" on your behalf.

Now is no different.

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/cpo

You want a CLS. Get it. You'll regret it otherwise.

 

Yes, I am sure the salesman will tell me he can "get" me that too- as if he's doing me a favor. I find it a bit insulting because I have done my research and am aware of the current program they are offering... Thanks.

 

My recommendation would be one of the two '13 E550's, although all 3 are nice cars.
Had the CLS been CPO and a year younger, that would have been my recommendation instead.
Seems to me Car 2 didn't have P2 package (con?), but had the better looking interior (in my opinion).
Both cars seemed to have the same rims and exterior (despite car 1 saying AMG package - could just be the descriptions)?

In all cases - check for the 'faded wood interior trim' on the cars before you by (can be replaced under warranty) - there are lots of posts about it in this forum.

Good luck!

 

The white one is also a P2 car. It lacks the active seat, parktronic, and folding rear seat options the cuprite brown has. The CLS has distronic. None of them have pano.

I have that brown interior and love it and have always liked Diamond white so that would be my pick.

 

You did your research, now do some bargaining-ask for a 3-5K discount going in-rule of thumb when buying CPO, because they are actually charging for that CPO warranty. Tell MB dealer you need the 3-5K to get your ELW. I like the white and brown myself.

 

I like the CLS, but I'm biased as I love black/black and distronic and am already on my 2nd w212. CLS is likely my next car. Good luck

 

The Cls is drop dead gorgeous, but you do sacrifice headroom and some legroom, plus no fifth seat. but that CLS in the post does have the drivers assistance package which comes with distronic, active lane keeping assist, and blind spot assist, both the E classes don't have that option. Honestly though, the white E Class is probably the best IMHO, its got a amazing exterior color and gorgeous interior as well, it's also a P2 package car, not just a P1.

 

Cars #1 and #2 are ridiculously overpriced. They aren't even in the neighborhood. This is a suckers deal. I don't like the color combo on car #2 but who cares. Get the colors you like.

Car #3: CLS isn't 4Matic. Do you care about that? This is a fair price for the car.

Here is an option near you if you don't mind a 2dr. coupe...2013 E550 29K $41K neg CPO w/ Appearance Package, Lane Tracking package, Premium 2 Package, Parktronic, spoiler kit, 1 owner http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invento...ting=121412756

 

Yes, I agree that cars 1-2 are overpriced. Perhaps because there aren't many on the market as CPO???

 

Get the e550 p2 package, I have the equivalent 2011 and love it!

 

Doesn't matter why, if the value isn't there, the value isn't there. They can ask whatever they want, unless someone is willing to pay, then it isn't the market value.

 

What ever you choose, go CPO. I have never had a problem with any warranty item being covered. Glad to hear the Benz saved you in the crash. A T-bone is an awful hit. I am not a big fan of the later face lifted E class so I would go with the CLS. Or, depending on your taste, you can find some good S class deals in that price range if you are willing to get one with a few more miles. I bought a CPO '11 last year with 3 years of warranty, 40k miles for about 45 large. I did finance through MB and they paid up to $1,000 of payments and gave two years of prepaid maintenance. And the car is loaded with everything in the models you discribed and then some. It is a bit on the large side however. But the ride is outstanding.

I have never looked back.

 

IMO that CLS sounds like a pretty good price. I would go that way

 

If you need stability seats-the CLS has it and more vice #2. If the heat has been anything like it has been near you and all over the West Coast you will need to tint those windows that you cannot see-maybe over tinted and rolled down for a reason-because it is black-black, they heat up fast and you will not always be going down I5 at 70. As previously posted by Tonycpa and I, since you have the dollars, deal with the MB dealers, they have a lot of flexibility when it is CPO, so offer only what you want to part with. They all look good, tough decision IMO. I still like the white one because of the interior-good luck Mamachup.

 

Not a fan of the CLS shape either, sorta has that melted jellybean look.

Anyway, E550's are somewhat rare as they didn't make that many of them as they did E350's.

Sounds like you like the options and I like my older one as it has lots of options. You're more likely to find an E550 that's loaded than an E350. The P2 package is probably one of the nicest option package to have.

I think on a 2013, if it's under 50k it should still have the part of the original warranty left so it doesn't have to be a CPO from an MB dealer unless you drive a lot and need the unlimited miles coverage. There's other threads on here in different forums that mention other dealers that will discount an extended warranty. As long as you still have some of the original warranty, you can do a 7/70 or 7/100k extended warranty as long as you're not buying from an MB dealer. If an MB dealer, then it has to have a CPO warranty on it. You have 30 days to buy an extended MB warranty once you buy the car, otherwise the price of the extended MB warranty goes up.

Here's a couple thread:

https://mbworld.org/forums/extended-...arranty-9.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/extended-...cs-thread.html

I don't think you need to worry about private party, usually they're either overpriced or there just aren't that many out there.

Did you sign up for an epcnet account? It's free in the US and lets you run the VIN so you can see the datacard and all the options the car came with.
https://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/subscribe.jsp

Here's one with P2, pano, parktronic, lane/blind spot assist, power trunk, probably far for you though.
http://www.pricepro.co/web/used/Merc...Ohio/22680168/

 

Thanks for your input on my purchase options for the e550 vs cls! The car you posted (in oHio) is sweet looking and the right price, but too far...

Going on Monday to make an offer on the '13 e550- the second car I listed. Yes, I like all of the bells and whistles. Being a so. cal driver who doesn't like "winter sports" the 4matic isn't a priority... But I'll take it anyway.

Appreciate your feedback!

 

God.. i thought i was the only one who doesn't like the CLS shape lol

Great choice!! yes it's a little overpriced but I'm sure your negotiating skills are on point! Post pics if you get it..good luck!

 

If you have not driven a bluetec check one out.
I have had several. Great power and economy.

52K is nothing on a maintained diesel.
GLWS

http://www.parkplace.com/all-invento...-class-mc22373

 

You are never alone and...

 

Oh, as for the price of the first one, I've seen dealers do it in the past, the raise the price and the lower it a week or two later to show that the price came down.

Also did you drive a 2012+ E350? The 2010 had the 268hp engine and in 2012+ they went to direct injection so it had a bump up in power to 302hp. While I'd love a 550 also, there's too much traffic in my area so it'd be a waste. There's a lot more E350's out there and you can find them with the P2 package. pano, parktronic, etc.

Also the second car has one year of CPO and you can do the same, there's threads out there where you can buy 2 extra years of CPO from any MB dealer in the country.

 

theyre pretty much the same car. if you dont mind a four seater coupe, go for the cls. the cls shape is a love it or hate it kind of thing. but since youre considering it, id say you dont mind the shape like others here. so go for it. bigger and more luxurious from the outside imo. if a cls and an e would park side by side, the cls would always get the second look.

 

If that is true why does MB sell only 8,065 CLS vehicles in the U.S. in 2012 and 65,171 E- Series vehicles in the U.S. in 2012? They are both 4 doors, 4 seats and in your own words are pretty much the same car except for shape.

MB fans and consumers vote with their wallets TS.