ycats

I'm wanting to purchase one in the next few months. I really need some advice.
Should I look into one that has low mileage or one that's around a 100k that has had warranty items and other bugs taken care of?

S-Clusiv

well if I was to buy a used mercedes I wouldnt really care about the milage up to about 100,000 because it still has about 3 times that left in it..I had an 85 300D with 1,000,000 miles so nobody say its impossible!

leloz

You should look for one with low mileage. They have a couple on ebay right now:

1999 CL500

1999 CL500

1999 CL500

1997 S500 coupe

My daughter drives a 1995 S500 coupe and it has been trouble free minus the O2 sensors, ASR control module, and some electrical gremlins, she has 75,000 miles on it. Just be sure to have some extra $$ for maintenance and it will reward you in return.
Goodluck! They are very rare and classy cars. My daughter's '95 gets more attention than my S600 sedan.

ycats

Can I perform the maintenance myself or do these mercedes require the dealership to do the work?

Those listed on Ebay, can you download the pictures/info of them and send to stacy_webb@gspnet.com? I can't access Ebay.

ycats

S-Clusiv: You must have a very, good-paying job to have all those cars that are listed under your name. Am I in the wrong line of work?

leloz

1) 1999 CL500. 65,000 miles. Powhatan, VA. WDBGA70G7XA413439. Sanko Automotive Group, 804-833-6009




2) 1999 CL500. 71,000 miles. Fort Lauderdale, FL. WDBGA70G0XA422144. Boulevard Auto Sales. 954-599-3911.




3) 1999 CL500. 47,000 miles. New Orleans, LA. WDBGA70G2XA420640. Lexus of New Orleans. 866-251-3134.




4) 1997 S500 coupe. 97,750 miles. WDBGA70G5VA357482. Safe Purchases.
safepurchases@aol.com




Hope this helps...

I take both of my Mercedes vehicles to a retired MB Tech who opened his own private shop. These cars are quite complex if you plan on doing anything more advanced than fluid changes and brakes.

ycats

Thanks! Too bad they're on Ebay......it may be a couple of months before I'll get one.

My father-in-law is a state mechanic so hopefully if I run into problems he can figure it out. I was just wondering if problems do arise, does it have to go to the dealer?

leloz

Always check ebay, you can run across some good deals. My daughter was looking for a new car so we ran across a very clean 1995 S500 coupe and ended up winning it for a thousand less than KBB trade-in value at the time. We drove almost 1000 miles round trip to get it, but it was worth it. The car was a 1 owner vehicle with a few upgrades. We put the newer 18 inch Mercedes wheels on it, changed the O2 sensors, ASR module, and MAF. You might have to take it to the dealer to get the codes read and cleared. Goodluck! My daughter is a nurse and loves the car, it is far better than the new Mustang GT she was looking to get (and cheaper).

ycats

Funny that you should mention a Mustang GT. If I decide not to get a CL, my other choice is an '03 Cobra.

What do you think is a good/fair price for a '98 or '99 CL?

Does the CL have an OBII connection for reading codes? My father-in-law has one of those.

leloz

Yes, all MB vehicles '95 and newer are OBDII. Check kbb.com for an idea of how much one is worth.

market000

I bought my 99 with 42k miles on it. It has been flawless. If you are planning on reselling it at some point then the car with the lower mileage is your best bet. Check the condition of the interior wood. If it has pieces that are cracked the replacement is pretty pricey. There is a great diversity in the condition of a "Starmarked ' car you'll find at a dealer. I was appalled at some of the vehicles that the dealers were selling or should I say passing off as certified. I ultimately bought mine from a dealer, but only after looking at about 35 cars. I also got 3 years of Starmark warranty with it. Good luck with your search....hope this helps.

gqmagic

Is a 96 s coupe with under 40k miles better than a 99 with 40k - 60k miles?
Thanks

gqmagic

nevermind I found a e420 with 36000 miles.

market000

By 98 and certainly the 99 model year, MB had worked most of the bugs out of them. I have no personal experience with the 95 vintage coupes, but I have heard older coupes had more problems. The 98 and 99 models were the end of the line for the big luxury cars by Benz. The newer models have lots more electronics and are built much lighter to get their speed.

I did find Edmunds to be pretty closer to retail pricing, but your can haggle with the dealer on these 140 coupes. They are the less desirable body style to the masses who like all the electronic whistles and bells.