Hello all - I've been a reader of the forum for a few weeks and this is my first post. I've owned a few MBs in the past and now have a C230 that my wife drives. I am going to be trading my '04 VW Touareg and am considering a CPO S430/S500 instead of leasing a new car.

One of the things that I want to make sure I'm not over-emphasizing is the CPO designation. I see a lot of S500 and even S55AMG in the low $40s with around 50k miles on them, but it looks like you pay about $5k more for the CPO designation.

On top of the CPO I would probably buy the extended Starmark warranty for around $3k to cover me two additional years. I typically keep cars only three years so this would cover me the entire time the car was driven. I really hate dealing with auto repair, etc. so the CPO / Extended warranty is a big thing for me, and is another reason why I typically do three year leases on new cars.

Some of the dealers I've spoken with offer other extended warranties on non-CPO vehicles they say can be used at the dealership (with $50 deductible). This sounds reasonable, but I've heard horror stories about people purchasing extended warranties that can't get them to cover anything. Is there a specific non-Starmark extended warranty that is any good?

Also if I buy a CPO car with 10k / 6 months left on the factory warranty, can I wait six months and then decide whether or not to buy the extended Starmark? And lastly is there a place to see previous pricing on extended Starmark so I can ensure the dealer is being fair?

I know everyone here loves the S-Class, but I'm also considering the following new cars (I can't personally justify the new cost on a W221)

Lexus GS300
BMW530XI
MB E320

 

i am right where you are looking in the lower 40 range and most cars 40k+ miles are in that ball-park im talkin 2003 S430 S500. im really looking @ S430 and it all started by looking @ the E320s and really found out the newer E classes even how good they look now they just don't feel or drive like a BENZ should.. they drive just like my fiance's C class does The older E classes yes but these newer mom cars they are pumping out just isn't cutting it...

I drove an 99 E then Drove an 03 E and the 99 drove 10 times better then the 03 did just a bigger smoother car..

this is now why I am only looking @ the S class's plus I figure buy a pretty good one and I would like to own it for a good 5-6yrs. It has been very hard because one day you see a car with 54k miles for 45k? then you see one with 39-40k miles for 42k with all the same options as the other.. still has factory warranty ect.. Its been very hard finding the right one. I will find one and then find out they want over market value for it .. I have also started looking into the New GS300 but I am not sold on it yet! keep me posted what you end up doing.

 

Thanks... I went in to a dealer today and found the following:

2002 S500 CPO
37k miles
List price: 46k
Sell price: 41,103 (Edmunds TMV)

2002 S430 CPO
29k miles
List price 43k
Sell price 38,304 (Edmunds TMV)

The CPO gives you a 12 month warranty. If you want the extended warranty it is:
+12 months: $2395
+24 months: $3995

This needs to be purchased at the same time you do the auto purchase.

 

only problem is im not going for an 02 i want the 03s

some have pretty good prices MB dealerships seem a little nuts though

 

Yeah, I see what you mean because the CPO price for an 03 vs. an 02 is about a 10k bump.

I think I am going to pull the trigger on the 02 S500 tomorrow. Here is the current deal offered:

$41,103 Car
$3,200 Two year additional warranty (3 Years total)

Any specific reason on the '03 vs. '02? I read some posts where some guys think the '03 is less likely to fault, but with the CPO I think I will be ok. I have also done the Carfax on a lot of used / non-CPO S500s and found things I didn't like (failed emmissions, accidents, etc.) so I would highly recommend the carfax service. If you are looking at a particular model then you can send me the VIN and I'd be happy to look it up for you.

 

what are the miles? I perfer the 03 cause of the lighting/middle console and the small changes they did to it.. over all its the same car just some small upgrades let me know the miles and Ill let you know how good of a deal it is. I've seen and been through a few I personally wouldn't drop 41 on 02.. I should of gave you a # of this guy selling his 03 /w 36k miles on it for 43k car was like knew I just didn't want to deal with shipping car is up in NY

Certified pre-owner = CPO? that means you can only buy through MB Dealers? or a private party that owns a CPO? no other dealers can cert. a MB

 

hey pm me asap ill give you his email he still might have the car.. I have the pics also .. still under fact warranty car is like new it seems to me atleast plus he has a whole clean carfax and service history