WTB: Higher mileage S550
#4
Haven't bought at auction, just from an Ebay listing. I understand that MB put some of it's lease fleet vehicles on auction on a quarterly basis. I haven't been able to get definitive confirmation on that. I would use the NADA.com website as my pricing tool. I think that Kelley and Edmunds ask for too many variables to get a good handle on price. Besides, when you go to any car auction, the dealers all have the little orange book (NADA) in hand and usually use the "rough" price as a baseline. Once you get a price range, go to Ebay, Cars.com, the MBUSA.com websites and see what prices people are asking for your MY and options package. Then start calling. I would say that CPO adds about $3500 to the asking price. You can also buy a car from a MB dealer and tell them you want the CPO tag taken off (they will have already done the inspection and will then cancel the additional warranty). Also, if you find the car that you want and the price you want make sure it definitely has the options listed. Finally, when you agree to a purchase price, have them take it to a MB dealer for a pre-purchase inspection. It usually runs about $250 and worth the money.
#5
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2004 S55 ///AMG, 2007 E350
Getting the additional warranty via the CPO program is the smartest part of this transaction. Trust me, you do not want to drive an S Class without warranty.
#7
w221 warranties tend to be very expensive. the car is much *much much more* reliable vs. the previous S. At least that's what I've been told by my family mechanic which services a lot of mercedes include the old and new S.
One key is to just change the oil more frequently ... and don't abuse your transmissions with a lot of flooring, or erratic driving. And if you buy used don't buy one with a long service history and "looks" abused.
One key is to just change the oil more frequently ... and don't abuse your transmissions with a lot of flooring, or erratic driving. And if you buy used don't buy one with a long service history and "looks" abused.