tonytones

Hi, all hope you are well.
I've decided to venture into the dark side and start looking for a W212 E550 for a family car. (BMW owner here )

I have 2 pending cars right now that I'm looking at. Just wanted your take and see what is better worth pursuing.

Car 1 (40k miles)
Service Records indicate (26 service history)
- multiple computer reprogramming at the dealer (is this common?)
- multiple steering lock / theft security system replaced or serviced at dealership
Mileage 0-33k

This was from 2011 - 2017 then after that no recorded maintenance or service until 2022 on carfax at least.

owner told me that they are downsizing their fleet and that's why they are selling 3 months after ownership. ( Agreed to PPI at local shop before purchase)

2nd car (68k miles)
Extensive Service records that show all the way up to 2022
as of recent (within 2k miles they have this done)

Vehicle serviced

• Maintenance inspection completed
• Tire condition and pressure checked
• Vehicle washed/detailed
• Brakes checked
• Cabin air filter replaced/cleaned
• Brake fluid flushed/changed
• Tires rotated
• One tire mounted
• One tire balanced
• Rear brake pads replaced
• Sway bar link(s) replaced
• Front brake pads replaced
• Vehicle serviced
  • Ignition coil(s) replaced
  • Spark plug(s) replaced
  • Idler pulley replaced
  • Drive belt(s) replaced
  • Oil and filter changed

Via carfax. (this is through a private dealer and I doubt they would allow PPI given most dealerships sell their cars on an AS-IS basis.)

What car would be the safer choice here and worth putting time into?
both cars look fairly great, but car #1 comes with tan leather and interior looks immaculate.

Would love your thoughts on this. Thank you so much!

DeTh

What's the difference in price between the two?

tonytones

1st car 40k miles - 22ish (trying to get it to 21k)
2nd car - 18k

pierrejoliat

Options the same? What year are they? I would pay 3k more for 30k less miles.

tonytones

1st car does have a bit more options
1st car
https://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/check...HF7CB2BA295810
2nd car
https://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/check...HF7CB4BA287613

pierrejoliat

First car has better options with lighting package, buy that one.Worth more with options, mileage.

tonytones

5 years no recorded maint. history (driven under 5k miles within those years) isn't a deal breaker to ya huh?

KEY08

Those prices are astonishing. Remember these are 11 year old cars now and no matter what a PPI shows they will have issues. I sold my 2010 E550 4M over 5 years ago with less than 45K miles for $21,000. The 2010 and 2011 are identical. I can’t believe 5 years later people can still get $20K for these, and yes I know all about the current pricing of used cars. I can see paying up for a 3-5 year old used car, but not a decade old one.

I wish you good luck, and have no opinion other than people don’t buy cars and dump them within 3 months without a good reason besides to “ thin the herd”.

tonytones

haha I was in market for a E90 m3 and people are wanting 30k+ for a car with 100k miles

Car market is crazy right now. Bought a 1986 BMW e30 for $4000 6 years ago and now have offers for $12000....

I am interested in the E550 because I believe its one of those "If you know you know type cars" can only see good examples keeping value

KEY08

Then you should buy the bi-turbo as it can be tuned to 550 HP, very easily. As much as I enjoyed my 2010, the bi-turbo is a different kind of beast.

tonytones

was hoping to stay within the 25k range (this car will be garaged and used for the weekends / errands around town)

any idea on what bi-turbo (guessing 2012 + ) are going for these days?

DeTh

Depends. They're on the way back down, you can get some for around 25k under 80k miles. Give it a little bit and I'm hoping they'll come down even more. A CLS550 might also be in your price range depending on how particular you are about options

tonytones

Ive always loved how the 2011 sedans looked. Boxy yet a little aggressive.

Im not looking for crazy performance, just a nice ride with a pep when I need it.

Dont think I'll be modding it other than a blacking out the trims

pierrejoliat

Not one bit, it's funny how everyone says you must have all the dealers services documented before purchase, but then want to do all their own maintenance. Also it has 40k miles, there a no important services missed at that mileage, Spark plugs and tranny fluid are still 10k mile away, although I might do the tranny anyways because of the time, also change the brake fluid and maybe the coolant. I have a '12 with 30k on it, I have kept up with the oil, brake fluid and coolant changes but have not done the plugs or tranny yet, probably will do the tranny this summer and I don't want the plugs to seize in the heads so I will likely do those late summer. my '13 has 85k so has had all these services done, but none at the dealer after my service contract and extended warranty expired las year.That said, it is always good to get another set of eyes on any used car purchase, my brother owns a Jaguar/Range Rover dealership and he says the market will not likely change this year.

tonytones

awesome thank you for this.

made an appointment wit Harrys MBZ here in southern california.
excited to see how this is gonna pan out.

BenzV12

I would also pick the 1st car , keep us updated as to how it turns out

JALLEN4

Just because the vehicle does not show maintenance on CarFax does not mean it has not been done. More service sources do not participate in sending their records to CarFax than do.

As well, most any reputable dealership will welcome an independent party inspection if you are seriously interested in buying. I owned multiple new car stores for decades and always instructed my people to encourage that practice.

tonytones

quick update. Decided to check out and purchase car option #1.

Went to meet the sellers and they were from a family of Mercedes (mom drove a newer c class, son has a W211 E63. Got the car PPI'd at Silver Star Motors in Chatsworth California by Jeff. Car checked out. The only thing Jeff mentioned was Transmission mount will need a change in the near future as well as 2 rear tires due to the car sitting in the garage and not getting many miles in.

PPI revealed
- 2 rear tires will most likely need changing soon (next 1000 miles)
- Transmission mount will need to be replaced due to slight vibration over small bumps, but mechanic didn't see a huge immediate need.
- The covers on the airtronic suspension seem to have a slight tear which doesn't cause any damage to the unit it self, and everything checked out.
- Auxilary battery warning came on literally while we were getting the car checked out, and its a simple fix

over all was able to negotiate total car price after discussing these issues with seller.

very happy to pick up the car next week. 46k miles on the clock. During my test drive car felt really good.

Quattrodude

Question, did you check for any accidents? Or previous damage?
My concern was it parked for a long time due to damage and was repaired on the side?
But if a good clean car with that many miles on - thats a great deal I think esp these days.
Figure you have easy 100K plus on your car to go before you need to much.
Also check for the pig tails for the Cam Sensors - our cars are still affected - even though they show as not being in that range...you dont want oil in the wiring harness...


Post pics of your new ride!

tonytones

during the PPI they checked for any visible sign of re-paint and bodywork. Nothing found.
The original owner had 26 service visits to local MB dealer and kept up with maint. religiously. Then the records sort of spot. When I asked the seller for more context the 2nd owner who purchased the car was an elderly couple who took the car to an indy shop. It was a garage queen and didn't see much usage.
2nd owner purchased the car in 2017 and put 15k miles in 5 years.

tonytones

with that said here is the carfax LMK if anything stands out to ya. would love your insight.

https://imgur.com/a/mLgwMce

juanmor40

a bit surprised it has been aligned at least twice in its lifetime for its low mileage. Dealer overcharging, or driver hitting tire sidewalls,, i.e. monitor tire wear in the future.

Spark plugs at 30k? Possibly because of age?

As mentioned earlier, check cam sensors for oil just in case?

tonytones

I would think the ppi covered this I’ll call mechanic to verify

also looking at the wheels they look fine no curb rash or anything.

perhaps a over protective owner that wanted to take full advantage of warranty?

tonytones

just spoke to mechanic after your post. He said as far as he knows no codes were showing and was good, but he also did mention it might be a good idea to pop em out and check for oil for the peace of mind.
lol basically seems like he ran a diagnostic tool and gave it a thumbs up after seeing no codes.

tonytones

Hey guys update here.
just brought home the new car. Went with option 1

love the car!