Crankin

I have found a silver one that is Starmark certified with 35,000 miles, not many options (6 disc cd, nav, heated seats). I may be able to get it for $50k. Is that a good deal and is the 2000 something to avoid vs 2001?
Also, are the 3 rear seat headrests controlled electrically or manually if the car does not have a rear electric sunshade?
Any advice is helpful. Thanks

Dizzy

That's actually a good deal. I just got a 2000 S430 w/ 29,600 miles for 45k from a wholeseller friend.

The 2000 is known to have problems w/ its AC, suspension and some other issues. Run a Search under "2000" and you'll turn up a lot of thread on this.

My deal was a great deal and I figured that since it is still under warranty, most issues can easily be resolved by the dealer. So far, besides paying $780 for replace 2 worn rotors and new brake pads all around, the car has been working perfectly. (I've had it for two weeks).

The S500 comes standard w/ xenon lights and you've already mentioned the heated seats and cd changer. All good options.
The rear headrests fold down at a push of a button, but if you want to have it fold up automatically, that's an option. Otherwise, just tell your passenger to flip it up by hand.

The 2000's do not have the power rear sunshade. That comes standard in 2001 models. Most folks on this site and other MB sites will tell you to go for the 2001+ if you can afford it. 45k was the max I could afford, so the 2001 S500 that my friend also had, was not an option. I believe that it was loaded with almost every option and he sold it to the dealer for well over 50k. I don't remember the exact price so don't quote me on that. Low mileage MB's are a rare find...especially the S series. Most of the used ones you see come from wholesellers who get these cars from the MB auction run by MB Finanacial Corp...in English...these are usually cars just off their lease.

Good Luck with your purchase.

Dizzy

Crankin

I was wrong. They won't go below $53,800 on this car because it is Starmarked. Is that warrenty worth much on a 2000 car with an inservice date of 8-99? Maybe I should walk away from this one. Thanks

mookie

I own a 2000 S500 and it has a power sunshade, to raise the headrest you use your hand, to lower them u push the button on the dash and they fall down.

I am going to trade the car in for a new one in 2 weeks, with 28,000 miles what should I get.

Dizzy

Mookie: your S500 only has 28,000 miles right? I'll first state that this is just off my memory. I haven't checked the wholesale books yet. You can probably find an estimate on kbb.com or edmunds.com

I THINK the wholeseller would have given me an S500 with low mileage for about $52k. The S500 he sold to the dealer only had about 30k miles on it, but it had every option on it AND it was a 2001 S500.

Since yours is a 2000, kbb has your's listed on "trade-in" for 49,630. Private sale is 58,110. Quite a difference huh?

These dealers are making a KILLING in selling used cars.

Dizzy

Crankin

We made a deal. Got it for $52,200 with standard Starmark warranty.
The question is, should I extend the Starmark, as it will run out in Sept. 2004 with the 12 month extension. My choice is to get a refund of $895 with no Starmark and go try to find another good extended warranty, or pay the following for extended Starmark.
Shoot!, they kept the price sheet. I think it is $2,700 for 24 mo. extended and maybe3700 or so for 36 mo. What would be the best thing to do? Thanks

Dizzy

There are various other extended warranty programs from 3rd parties that will cover your car up to 100,000 miles for about $2000. I can't think of the one I might be buying right now, but do a search on yahoo, a lot pops up. I think these are better and give more bang for the buck than the Starmark warranty.

Congrats on your purchase! Welcome to the club

Dizzy

northbenz

Look at the fine print to make sure you are not comparing apples to oranges. A lot of those non dealer extended warranties have so many exclusions in them they hardly warrant anything other than the powertrain, if even that.

Crankin

The dealer wants $3650 for a 48 mo 100k 0 deductible Starmark extended warranty. This takes it to August 2007. Is this a good deal if I'm going to keep the car that long?
Has anyone heard of the Daimler Chrysler extended warranty? 36 mos. $50 deductible for $2491. They say this is a factory warranty. Is this true and is it any good. It covers stereo, which Starmark does not. Thanks

Crankin

Paid for the quality.....hopefully