CmdrKeen

H All
I realize that some of these questions may have been answered previously, so forgive me if I'm being repetitive. Searches just weren't coming up with the info I'm looking for.

A friend has offered me his 2010 E550 4matic with about 88k miles for around $10k. His cars are always creampuffs and he takes good care of them, so I'm not too worried about any current issues -- he wouldn't offer me the car if he wasn't pretty sure of its condition. I will also have my mechanic (an MB specialist) check it out before purchase. (he's been taking care of my 07 C-class for a few years now)

That said, I'm seeking advice and comments:
- Does this sound like a reasonable deal?
- What sort of routine maintenance and costs should I be expecting in the next few years?
- I know that higher-end MBs can be hideously expensive to repair, so I'm thinking an afternarket warranty would be a good idea.. Does anyone have recommendations?
- Are there any pitfalls or things that I'm not asking or should be aware of with these cars?

Thanks in advance!

kajtek1

When being "diesel guy" I can't tell much about this engine, $10k in those times can buy you lot of Mercedes.
There is a good reason why those cars drop value like crazy.
Either way, MB with no warranty are advised only for advanced DIY owners and you are not saying about your skills?

MBNUT1

I can't tell you if you should buy the car or not but that sounds like a good deal to me.

Arrie

BUY IT!

The only concern I have of the 4-Matic is the infamous transfer case bearing issue that seems to bother 2010- 2011 models. There are threads for that issue and fix seems to be around $3000 if it happens if done by other than MB but even with that it is a bargain!

ChrisB

We have owned a 2011 E550 4-Magic since October 2018 and we are really enjoying the car. My Wife now prefers riding in it - rather than the SL 500.

Lots of Power! A good looking car.

Look for a good Bumper to Bumper warranty program ... that your Mechanic endorses. Ours has paid off (broken even) already.

What is this Transfer Case Bearing issue thing ... what should I look out for?? Would want to have that fixed under warranty.

pb39374

the transfer case leaks oil after a while. My 2010 e350 with 43,000 miles was just brought in to get my heated seat element replaced b/c it was no longer getting hot. Since I had an aftermarket warranty that was covering the heated seat, I told them to look for anything else that needs to get done. Sure enough the transfer case was sweating. So the warranty company looked at too and agreed. So they sealed it up with some new small parts and sealant. Total for transfer case fix was $1,200 and heated seat was $1,100. But i only paid $100 deductible. I also saw on my CARFAX that in 2014 at 30,000 miles that a transfer case oil leak was checked. It sure if they replaced the whole thing (including transmission) or just sealed it.

CmdrKeen

Hi, If you don't mind saying -what warranty do you have and how much did it cost?

ChrisB

Old Republic Canada
5 Years, 40,000 Km (25,000 miles) Platinum, Bumper to Bumper
Cost $ 3,500 Cdn ... the dealership had a 20% off promotion at the time .. so $ 4,400 Cdn ( $ 3,300 USD) may be close to their regular price

S-Prihadi

Dang, that is cheap for 5 years, even at quote a low 40,000 KM

pb39374

on my 2010 E350 with 41,000 miles that I just bought, I got a 7 year 100,000 mile warranty for $3,600. It’s as close to bumper to bumper as you get.

KEY08

they sold you a warranty that will cover everything and take this car out to a total of 17 years from in-service or 100K miles?
for $3,600? That is hard to believe

S-Prihadi

Wow...wow..wow, that is peanut cost compared to what I need to pay here. Damn, I am jealous...VERY envious of US/Canada MB.

For Indonesia, based on 2017 warranty price list, here is how MB Indonesia charges : Based on exchange rate of today, 6th April 2019 , 1 US$ = Rupiah 14,200.


If there is a 2019 warranty price list, it will be higher approx 3-5% as our currency is weaker today, compared to 2017.
3 years, 100,000KM is the original warranty. After that>>>>>>>>>> see below

2 years, service parts and labor only no warranty extension, E-Class non AMG model. US$ 3,292 for 2 years, must buy 2 years program.
2 years, service parts and labor and WITH WARRANTY, can not buy warranty only, E-Class non AMG model, US$ 7,900 for 2 years, must buy 2 years program.


DISCOUNT FOR LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE - E class, non AMG
Maximum 11,500KM a year or 7,143 miles a year allowed.
2 years, service parts and labor only , no warranty extension, E-Class non AMG model. US$ 2,859 for 2 years , must buy 2 years program.
2 years, service parts and labor and WITH WARRANTY, can not buy warranty only, E-Class non AMG model, US$ 6,844 for 2 years, must buy 2 years program.
Even at low mileage of under 7,143 miles per year, if I get 7 years WARRANTY ONLY like you, it will cost me ( US$6,844 less US$2,859 ) / 2 x 7 = 13,947 for 7 years.

E400 must be with engine under 3,000cc so that luxury tax is 75% and not 125%, brand new in my country on 2014 (mine ) was US$116,666. Cant choose option, take it or leave it.
Overall options for the said price, compared to USA = poor by US standard.

My annual road tax at 4 years old in 2018-2019, US$1,408 or 2 % of car value as per government book value of US$69,000.
Insurance is cheap, 1.2% of value, based on government book value.

Do not be suprised by no 3, TIE ROD AND BALL JOINT as consumeable. It is a consumeable parts for my country. Usually 40,000KM it will go bad. Bad road, 3rd world country...swallow it.
Shock absorber is also consumeable here

EDIT : To qualify for this MB paid extended warranty, the car must from day 1 is serviced by authorize dealer only.



.

pb39374

yes, where is the incentive to lie here???
i am staring right at it. I bought it 12/14/18 with 41,000 miles. It expires 12/14/25 @ 100,000 miles. I bought it from Autopom (they are the broker). The policy is through United Car Care Inc. and it’s the Paramount coverage. Total was &3,663. They initially wanted $4,100 but after I haggled a bit and paid half upfront they lowered it to 3,663. I just had my drivers side heated seat replaced b/c it didn’t work any more. I have a $100 deductible.

KEY08

That’s incredible. This is the one time I guarantee that the insurance will be worth it. Way to go.

pb39374

thanks man. When I brought the car in to MB for the heated seat, they also pointed out the infamous transfer case leak to me. So I had them fix that too. The heated seat was $1,100 and transfer case fix/seal was $1,200. So all in $2,300 and I just paid the $100 deductible.

ChrisB

We should start a separate thread on this topic for awareness.

MBNUT1

While it is true that the transfer case leaks oil after a while this is not the transfer case bearing issue. The transfer case bearing issue is just that bearings inside the transfer case wear and start to make a whining sound above 30 MPH that gets progressively worse. Mine cost me about $2300 plus a $500 fluid change, Mine went out at ~120K miles.

pb39374

got it thanks. I hope I don’t get that problem down the road. And if I do it should covered.