Carrerax

Hi all,
I have done some research and I think thiis is an ok deal but I would like your input. It is a 06 R500 with 16k miles. It has sport package (alcantera inserts) sirius, pano roof, HK stereo with rear controls and the adjustable suspension. It doesnt have keyless go or power hatch. Those arent deal breakers for me. It is in great condition. One thing I dont understand is that the heater controls on the center dash it has 12 buttons and not 9 buttons like the others that I have seen. I dont know if this is good or bad? Im talking about the buttons between the round temp dials. Anyway, it has a year and a half warranty left and I can get it for $28500 shipped to my door. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!!

bigben320e

Pretty good deal. I got mine for about 35K with 12K miles on it, loaded with what you see on the sig. I did get them to throw in the clear bra though.

Carrerax

Thanks! What do you know about the 12 buttons instead of 9? Is that an option or something?

supernsx

I assume Sport package means AMG package. Does it come with comfort package (electric folding mirrors) or trim package (full leather)? Without auto liftgate means it doesn't have the preimum package. Does it have the Nav?If yours have all these, $28.5K including Tax and tag will be a good deal. AMG is one the most desire option in the dealer market and you will need to pay premium over regular price for it.

Regarding the 12 buttons, my R500 has that too and I believe it is part of the 3 zone climate control package. It means the second row has it's own climate control with the temperature dial. I think you may want to check that out.

Good luck.

Carrerax

Hi, Im saying sport package because of the alcantera inserts and the sport button for the suspension. It does have the folding mirrors. I dont think it has the AMG package because it doesnt have the fog lights. Since it doesnt have the premium package Im thinking that this may not be the best deal. also, $28500 delivered just means shipped. It is out of state so I will still need to pay the state taxes over and above the $28.5k I may pass on this one. Thanks~

Blk04cobra1

If it is CPO'd, then I would say it's a pretty good deal.

Carrerax

It isnt cop'd. It just has the original warranty until June 2010 and about 30k more miles left. Also, Im not so sure that the alcantera will hold up that well. I need to do a search. Thanks for all the help you guys!

sclancy

it is a decent deal, but not great. auction prices range from 22-26k. high 20s for a car that you want is fair but not a great deal.

Carrerax

Thanks. I will probably just wait for another one then.

supernsx

Agree with you and you should wait a bit. There are a flood of lease returns coming to the market and patient will be key. Good luck.

Carrerax

Thanks! The problem now is that my wife really wants this one. I need to get her to wait

sclancy

given the financial upheaval, price will continue to fall at auction. i think you ll find one for $20-24k plus a fee to a used dealer who buys at auction for you.

ct_r500

I got my R500 at MB fnancial auction for $24K. It has airmatic susp, keyless go, pano roof, nav, HK sound, full leather upgrade, folding mirrors (is that an option?), front and rear parking sensors, tele aid, power hatch, bi-xenons,.... It's a 2 year old '06 with 30k miles. I think I got a great deal. It helps having a friend in the business.

I had initially bought an R500 w/ 22k off his lot that had every option possible for $28.5K. This was literally the most loaded car I have ever seen. I still think about it almost daily. It had everything mine has except airmatic, plus wood steering wheel, headlight washers, sat radio, heated rear seats, rear climate control, bluetooth, voice command, lighting package, DVD headrests, fog lights and driver/passenger multicontour seats. That's as much as I can remember. I had to return that car after 2 days when I found out there was some previous body work. Although I think the damage was minor, I just couldn't feel comfortable knowing the car had been in an accident. Anyway I'm happy with the one I have now.

sc_trojan

Mileage is a tad high for that price, but again, you got keyless go. what color is it? which auction? is that 24k after auction fees or before? I have been looking for keyless go with parktronic and I am surprised my friend didn't identify this one for me. when did you purchase it?

supernsx

I actually think $24K with 30K miles is a good price for a "fully" loaded one if the condition of the car is rated 3 (avg) or up and it is in one of the popular color (black, silver, white, pewter). Lately, I have seen the price of the fully loaded with avg or above avg R-class goes up a bit due to the lower gas price. Above average silver and black R500 still goes for $26-27K range today in auction.

sc_trojan

I agree, that price is much better than the average person can get. If that is after auction, transport and broker fees, he did get a good deal, much better than mine.

ct_r500

I got it at the ADESA auction in DC (actually Dulles VA). That's before the auction fee of $275. It's silver w/ blk interior. I got it in August 08, it was first titled in July of '06. This was actually the most loaded R500 there that day. I was surprised that most were not very loaded. Especially after that first R500 that I had. And out of about 50, only a few had keyless go. Good luck with your search tho.

ct_r500

Yeah, the car was in outstanding condition - no dings, chips or scratches. And it actually had a brand new set of Michelins! But I really thik the high gas prices are part of the reason that the R500's are going for so cheap. My friend said the original sticker on this vehicle was probably $72K. It's just ridculous that I got this thing for 1/3 of the original value after just 2 years!!!

Carrerax

Well, I decided to buy the R500 anyway. My wife is excited. The clincher is the alcantera and the sport sir suspension. We will have it in about a week. Also, there is a button on the front dash at the bottom that I guess lowers the van. How does that work? Is it for getting in or just to lower it a bit when driving? I cant actually believe that Im getting excited about a van Oh yea, it doesnt have xenons. I have got to add those. I added them on my 911 with a ebay kit. It was simple. I will do a search here and see if it can be done. Thanks for all the help guys!!!!

sclancy

how many R500s were auctioned that one day?? i thought manheim was the largest auction house by far and they only move a fraction of that number of Rs in a week nationwide....

Are you a used car dealer or did you use a local dealer to buy for you??

Carrerax

I didnt get it from an auction. It was a dealer.

supernsx

Congrat on your new R500. That is actually part of the airmatic package and it will raise the car up for obstacles until it reaches 35 MPH or you hit the button again to get it back to the normal suspension height.

In the mean time, if you want to read more about your car, you can google "R500 owner manual" and you should be able to find a link to download the owner manual in PDF format.

Regarding the HID, real easy job for the R-class because plenty of underhood space. Just make sure get either a full digital kit or one with an additional error message cancel device.

Have fun!

Carrerax

I will do that. Thanks! I havent even driven an R500 yet. My wife drove an R350 and liked it except that she said it was a bit slow. Im hoping the R500 is as fast as our X5 4.4 but I doubt it will be...Either way, we are excited!

bigben320e

I wouldn't say that just yet...the R500 is pretty fast. My wife almost got a ticket in it, didn't even realize how fast she was going. (80 in a 55 ) She just got a warning.

I was surprised about the pickup that the thing has, whoa! The airmatic is very nice. You can put the car is sport or comfort which has different feels. I drove the our R for about 700 miles, from Chicago to Georgia. Another trip was from Georgia to Detroit. Awesome trips, everyone was asking about the car when we stopped. Even on Detroit roads, the R took those bumps like a champ!

I think you will be pleased.

Carrerax

Thanks! We are excited. I do need to find one 19" wheel. Mine has one wheel that is curbed.