Interested in an E 550 but I have a dilemma...
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acura tl
Interested in an E 550 but I have a dilemma...
I'm interested in a 2012 E 550 with 41,000 miles but the first issue is that the car has no service history at all on its Carfax or AutoCheck. The second issue is that the car is out of state and hundreds of miles away from me so I can't just go to the dealership and check it out (I'm not mechanically inclined at all to be honest so even if I could personally inspect the car I wouldn't necessarily know what to look out for). Normally I'd just move on and choose another car but I think everyone on here realizes how rare E 550's are so just choosing another E 550 isn't so easy to do. Even more so, this E 550 has every option I want, is in the color I want, has the low miles that I was looking for and I can afford it as well so it would be the "perfect" E 550 in my eyes if it weren't for the lack of service records. I thought about having someone from YourMechanic, Carchex or Lemonsquad complete a pre purchase inspection and assuming everything went well then I'd go ahead and buy it but I'm still a little hesitant due to not having any service records for the vehicle. If you all were in my shoes what would you do? Would a pre purchase inspection from one of these companies be sufficient or would you all not even consider this vehicle since there are no service records regardless of what the PPI might say?
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'11 E350, '11 E550, '98 M3, '95 E320
Who's selling the vehicle: MB dealer, used-car dealer, or private sale? How many owners?
I would say, regardless of who's selling the vehicle you should be able to get a PPI done by a local MB dealer or indy. Second, if a MB dealer is selling it they should be able to provide a service history (usually requires current owners consent). Third, service history doesn't mean there aren't current "issues" with the vehicle.
41k for a '12 is very low-miles... almost unreal.
I would say, regardless of who's selling the vehicle you should be able to get a PPI done by a local MB dealer or indy. Second, if a MB dealer is selling it they should be able to provide a service history (usually requires current owners consent). Third, service history doesn't mean there aren't current "issues" with the vehicle.
41k for a '12 is very low-miles... almost unreal.
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From: Connecticut
2010 E550
I don't think I've ever had access to the previous service records of a used car I purchased, so it wouldn't phase me at all. Are you concerned that it was in an accident and repaired, or that it had 2 oil changes instead of 20?
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From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
Who's selling the vehicle: MB dealer, used-car dealer, or private sale? How many owners?
I would say, regardless of who's selling the vehicle you should be able to get a PPI done by a local MB dealer or indy. Second, if a MB dealer is selling it they should be able to provide a service history (usually requires current owners consent). Third, service history doesn't mean there aren't current "issues" with the vehicle.
41k for a '12 is very low-miles... almost unreal.
I would say, regardless of who's selling the vehicle you should be able to get a PPI done by a local MB dealer or indy. Second, if a MB dealer is selling it they should be able to provide a service history (usually requires current owners consent). Third, service history doesn't mean there aren't current "issues" with the vehicle.
41k for a '12 is very low-miles... almost unreal.
Last edited by pierrejoliat; Jan 24, 2021 at 01:23 PM.
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acura tl
Who's selling the vehicle: MB dealer, used-car dealer, or private sale? How many owners?
I would say, regardless of who's selling the vehicle you should be able to get a PPI done by a local MB dealer or indy. Second, if a MB dealer is selling it they should be able to provide a service history (usually requires current owners consent). Third, service history doesn't mean there aren't current "issues" with the vehicle.
41k for a '12 is very low-miles... almost unreal.
I would say, regardless of who's selling the vehicle you should be able to get a PPI done by a local MB dealer or indy. Second, if a MB dealer is selling it they should be able to provide a service history (usually requires current owners consent). Third, service history doesn't mean there aren't current "issues" with the vehicle.
41k for a '12 is very low-miles... almost unreal.
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2012 E550 4matic
I've done the exact same thing. I drove from dallas tx to Tulsa Oklahoma for an E550 '12. Granted, I'm a mechanic plus the service history was available. Main thing would be the test drive, and then yes, get it to a MB dealer. Don't be afraid to go to a different state and be willing to walk away. Yes it's a long drive n what not, but it's better than an extra headache. Go in there with your head up, and let em know what needs to happen. PPI at a MB dealer or you're out.
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From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
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Cedar falls is a great thing, Midwest values, Likely owned by a well-healed professional, bet it was well taken care of, maintained and washed regular. I would be much more worried if it was from Jersey or Kalifornia. In fact I would never buy a car from either of those two places.
Last edited by RA72825; Jan 24, 2021 at 02:02 PM.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
If it's the one at Toyota, then I'd say you're good to go. That's a lot less risk than some side of the road dealership. Get a PPI but otherwise this looks like a good one. Go for it.
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acura tl
I guess seeing it serviced at Mercedes dealerships would make me feel as though it was well taken care of even though I know it very easily could've been taken care of at an indy shop.
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That car is well optioned with keyless go, drivers assist package including Distronic, lane keeping, blind spot. Pano, full light package with auto high beam, dynamic seats with heat/cool and massage. I would jump on it at that price.
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
I'm interested in a 2012 E 550 with 41,000 miles but the first issue is that the car has no service history at all on its Carfax or AutoCheck. The second issue is that the car is out of state and hundreds of miles away from me so I can't just go to the dealership and check it out (I'm not mechanically inclined at all to be honest so even if I could personally inspect the car I wouldn't necessarily know what to look out for). Normally I'd just move on and choose another car but I think everyone on here realizes how rare E 550's are so just choosing another E 550 isn't so easy to do. Even more so, this E 550 has every option I want, is in the color I want, has the low miles that I was looking for and I can afford it as well so it would be the "perfect" E 550 in my eyes if it weren't for the lack of service records. I thought about having someone from YourMechanic, Carchex or Lemonsquad complete a pre purchase inspection and assuming everything went well then I'd go ahead and buy it but I'm still a little hesitant due to not having any service records for the vehicle. If you all were in my shoes what would you do? Would a pre purchase inspection from one of these companies be sufficient or would you all not even consider this vehicle since there are no service records regardless of what the PPI might say?
Go to the car and ask the seller to give a few hundred miles "cancel the deal" warranty or ask them to give you the car for a few hundred miles test drive. Fill engine oil to a precise mark on the dip stick and go drive it for those few hundred miles and check if oil level holds. That would be my concern if oil changes were not none by the schedule and engine damaged because of it.
If it is a 4Matic then there is another concern with the transfer case. Problems with that you can feel/hear when driving sharp turns on pawed parking lot or other non slippery surfaces.
But hurry up, there are others wanting to buy E550...!
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acura tl
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2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
You should just make arrangements to buy it. I never actually got a PPI on either car I bought, the first one had a used car warranty so I didn't worry about it too much and got the VMI at a MB dealership afterwards. They found a few issues and the used car warranty covered those issues. Finding a car like that with good options is really hard. I wouldn't worry about maintenance that much, with that low mileage not much is required. Even if they didn't do a few things like not flushing the brakes or changing fluids, not that big a deal to do it now. Didn't look up the car but the only issue I find with super low mileage is that you pay an extra premium for the low miles.
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From: Fredonia, WI
2012 E550 v8-Biturbo
I think you should go for this
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...9135/overview/
I flew from WI to MA to purchase my E550 because it had low miles and all the options I wanted. I didn't do a PPI.
Good luck
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...9135/overview/
I flew from WI to MA to purchase my E550 because it had low miles and all the options I wanted. I didn't do a PPI.
Good luck
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I think you should go for this
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...9135/overview/
I flew from WI to MA to purchase my E550 because it had low miles and all the options I wanted. I didn't do a PPI.
Good luck
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...9135/overview/
I flew from WI to MA to purchase my E550 because it had low miles and all the options I wanted. I didn't do a PPI.
Good luck
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I think you should go for this
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...9135/overview/
I flew from WI to MA to purchase my E550 because it had low miles and all the options I wanted. I didn't do a PPI.
Good luck
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...9135/overview/
I flew from WI to MA to purchase my E550 because it had low miles and all the options I wanted. I didn't do a PPI.
Good luck
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
That's quite the premium though. I posted about a 2016 E-350 a few weeks ago. Just looked and it's gone now. I think it was around 20.5k and about 49k miles. Had all the options including driver assistance, pano, parktronic, heated/cooled massage seats, etc. and the 2016 was the year they started having Apple Carplay/Android auto. I'm surprised the book value on my 2011 E-350 is around 8-10k, pandemic pricing, got it for a tad over 15k 4 years ago, has over 120k though. A super rare one would be the 2014 E-550, those have come down in price a little, sometimes 25-30k. The E-400 aren't that bad either, they kinda replaced the E-550 but not as much power.
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From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
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2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Funny guy...? I drove 1117 miles from baton Rouge, LA to Arlington, DC to get my low mileage {14700 miles) 2010 E550 and traded in my one year old 2011 E350. Two days drive up and another two days drive down. My best ever car deal I have ever made.
The OP on the topic is too worried about the service records other than if the records would indicate problems with transfer case that were not fixed. If there is an issue I would ask seller $4000 discount and drive the car to MB dealer or other shop who know what to do to get it fixed. This would be about $3000 extra cost on top of the original price of the car, which would still be a steal for the mileage it has.
The OP on the topic is too worried about the service records other than if the records would indicate problems with transfer case that were not fixed. If there is an issue I would ask seller $4000 discount and drive the car to MB dealer or other shop who know what to do to get it fixed. This would be about $3000 extra cost on top of the original price of the car, which would still be a steal for the mileage it has.
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From: Richmond, Virginia USA
'12 E550, '10 ML350, '06 E350, '20 GLC300, '21 GLC300
Get a paint thickness meter. I have a PosiTest DFT. Measure the paint in the door opening as a reference. Go all over the vehicle looking for really thick numbers. Indicates repainting......ACCIDENT?
Get a scanner. I like my Autel AL539B OBD2 Scanner, $100. Read any codes present plus look at live data on test drive. Lots of YouTube videos on this scanner to teach you how to use it.
By the way, my 2012 E550 4 matic has 203,000 miles. I do have something going on. Small antifreeze loss (a ouce or two every other month) suggest head gasket. All o2 sensors are shot. Makes the fuel trim go rich.
Good luck.
Get a scanner. I like my Autel AL539B OBD2 Scanner, $100. Read any codes present plus look at live data on test drive. Lots of YouTube videos on this scanner to teach you how to use it.
By the way, my 2012 E550 4 matic has 203,000 miles. I do have something going on. Small antifreeze loss (a ouce or two every other month) suggest head gasket. All o2 sensors are shot. Makes the fuel trim go rich.
Good luck.
