Thagreat97

Hello everyone, new user here so bear with me as this is my first post. I’m in the market for a 2014-16. I found this 2016 luxury model originally listed at 12.9k and has since dropped to 11.9k. First red flag to me was the price. Now I’m all for getting a good deal with anything a buy but this is much lower than any other car I’ve seen on the market even the 2014 model. Second red flag to me which I just realized on the carfax is that the dealer originally listed the car for sale on 3/2022. That’s a little over 2 years ago. Now I know some of you may think the luxury model it’s ugly but it’s still a very nice Mercedes at the end of the day I can’t see why this car would be sitting on a lot for 2 years at such a good price. Is this a red flag to you and what reason would a dealer keep a car for so long? Should I take a gamble and buy the car at this price? Thank you for any forthcoming responses.

Arrie

Remove this post.

Thagreat97

Why?

Arrie

I mean my own post, not yours. Sorry.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

IF it's really been on the lot for two years, I'd keep walking. But, if it's just a Carfax error, ask the dealer how long it's really been in his inventory. Regardless, if the price is too low, ask if you can take it to your own mechanic for a PRE-purchase inspection. (Google "auto pre purchase inspection" to find someone local.) If the dealer says no, walk.

If you are set on getting a Mercedes, do yourself a BIG favor and buy a LAUNCH Creader Elite 2.0 BENZ scan tool, around $160 on Amazon. (It will pay for itself many times over.) Then, if you find a car you want to buy, scan it for any codes. And then STILL get a PPI.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

You can also plug the VIN into www.lastvin.com to see how the car is configured from the factory.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Lastly, NEVER take a gamble on a Mercedes. Scan for codes. Get it inspected BEFORE you purchase it.

Thagreat97

thank you for the advice. But yes, unless it was a typo on the CarFax, the car was an originally listed for sale in March 2022– a little over 2 years ago. I’m definitely going to get a PPI though since the car is an hour and a half away I won’t be able to take it to my preferred local mechanic

Andre Cateb

If it hasn't been regularly ran for so long, there could be internal corrosion issues with the engine which are nearly imposible to diagnose from the outside. I would recommend confirming if they kept the maintenance of the car up to date.

DFWdude

1. The price is NOT that good for the age of the car... You mention nothing about mileage.
2. If it's really been unsold for 2-years, I'm walk. Weak/dead battery problems, flat-spotted tires, sun-baked window seals, etc.
3. CARFAX shows no accident? Really? Not worth your time.

need2speed

Best advice ever but so many are reluctant to get a PPI!?!? There seems to be many versions of the Launch on Amazon priced around the same, including a Professional version. Any advantages of one over the other? Appreciate some guidance from a user before making a purchase…

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

This one. The nice thing is that you can add other cars through the Mall. The "older" vertical version does NOT have an internal battery. It is also slightly slower, but the two run the same software.

ghlkal

This.

I've seen a number of Carfax errors over the years.

And, perhaps the sales manager liked it and drove it home often.

Quint22

You guys expect a used car salesman to tell ya the truth? WOW

Can you check the mileage of when last sold or traded in, that would be a better idea of whats been going on with it. Either way its either been sitting there for a long time or been the get lunch loner car for a couple of years.

Decent price compared to up north but still dont get hung up on a vehicle.

Quint22

Maybe cars are worth less in Tehas, over on the west coast north to south we get screwed on pre owned vehicles. They seriously are more prized then new cars it seems.

BenzV12

It looks like a nice car from outside as I like luxury models too . However, appearance could be deceptive too . It could be a cheeky but haggle on the price if you desperately want to buy this car . A hefty inspection is required to me as well

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

New cars have way too much digital stuff integrated into a single user interface. If the UI goes out, you are screwed and will have a hefty bill to fix it. Imagine your computer monitor or keyboard or mouse/trackpad suddenly failing. Or worse, your smartphone screen stops working. A car 5+ years old usually has all the bugs worked out and has taken the depreciation hit already. If one is well maintained, you have a prize!

hyperion667

Pass!

TimC300

I just looked at my 2010 W204 car carfax and the dealer I bought it from took title of it 10/27/17 and I bought it around 12/19. The guy told me the owners son was driving it which I remember because I asked if it had two keys and he said he had to track down one of them, which he did. It had new tires on it, he recently replaced both headlights because he said the old ones were hazy, I have had no issues with the car, just what I consider normal wear n tear maintenance with now having 150,000 miles. Only check engine light so far was for the purge valve 2yrs ago. All the work I put in to it i expect for a New England car this age and mileage, shocks, springs, struts, brakes, sway bar links, leaking oil filter housing gasket. I had to replace the battery 2yrs ago, which was a Mercedes battery, but according to the date on it it was 7yrs old anyways. I just scanned the car for fun last week and nothing. Carfax shows it was serviced at MB dealers regularly, I have gone over probably the entire car by now and havent found anything wrong, no aftermarket parts, no odd damage etc. 4-1/2yrs later I have zero complaints with the car and happy I bought it.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Good point, Tim. The question now is how long has the car been on the lot for sale. If the dealer used it as a "company car" that might change things. Regardless, an explanation is required.

Jack McCarty

I've purchased 5 pre/0wned MB's between late 90's & 2020.
With each vehicle, I reviewed the CARFAX report,
ordered an independent MB Mechanic report at costs $250.-$400., my expense.
3 were purchased at MB Dealers with their short warranties...
You must do your due diligence & review this car!
Jack

Jack McCarty

I bought a 212 series E350 4Matic Wagon, in 12/20 from a local MB dealer, after shopping & test driving 6 candidate E's at Bay Area MB Dealers & better Indy lots for over a year.

There was an important issue I uncovered:
the shock absorbers often need replacing as the heavy vehicle wears the shocks.

One Indy dealer was unaware of the worn shocks until I drove his 2014 Wagon & told him. He told me to drive that Wagon to a nearby MB mechanic who confirmed my diagnosis.
i returned that Wsgon to the Sonoma dealer who refused to discount the Wagon, so I walked.

if you start a 212 MB, & feel vibrations coursing through the steering wheel & through the frame,
the shocks need replacing. Most dealers charge $2000 or more, because labor is high: the engine has to be REMOVED to replace the passenger side shock.

i also encountered a 2013 212 E Wagon at Fletcher Jones in Fremont, California with a thrown cylinder.

I reviewed the CARFAX report & discovered that the engine had been removed at 20,000 miles.
i questioned the salesman who took 2 days to get back to me to say that a blown cylinder had thrown oil throughout the engine compartment & motor was removed to clean it.

That Wagon also had a lag in accelerator response, between pushing the
accelerator & engine response. When I asked the salesman to have their mechanic do a review,
I was told that the manager would NOT do a
tech analysis.

So, I walked

I'm telling you all this because you must be alert to possible mechanic issues with the 212 series,
2010 - 2016.

2 other potential issues:
- Burl Walnut Wood Trim fading
- Rear Axle Corrosion

Both of these issues are covered fully in this
site, so search & review

Good Luck!
Jack

Jack McCarty

Forgot to mention the fate of that 2013 EWagon with the blown cylinder & the acceleration lag:

- when the Fletcher Jones service mgr. refused my request to research the dangerous pedal lag, & I walked,
Jones wholesaled that Wagon off the Jones lot to an Indy car lot nearby 2 days later!

Fletcher Jones did the wrong thing. & I will not
ever buy another Mercedes from FJ!

DeanMassy

here could be internal corrosion issues with the engine which are nearly imposible to diagnose from the outside. I would recommend confirming if they kept the maintenance of the car up to date.

brentif

Can you post the link from the dealer or the VIN, I can check on the accuracy of the listing date.