B.M.W

I really want to upgrade to a mercedes as my next shuttle, ive been researching prices, trims, years ect and i know what i want

2007-2009 model
Amg package is a must
20-30k miles

With the economy the way it is im looking to buy within a few months, ive seen prices 45-60k, id like to get the best value for 50k not a penny over. im using Ebay as a price guide as im willing to buy out of state.

thoughts?

Sher Judge

You cannot go wrong with any S-class especially a W221, I don't know how your warranty works in your country, we have a Fully paid up Mobilo Plan, that comes standard with all S-class models.
6 years or 120 000 kms or if kms reached up to 160 000kms, but no more than 6 years.

Someone from your country will gladly assist you. Hope you go for this car, it's just leaps and bounds from anything you have ever driven.

IDriveAnM5

For my $0.02, I would most certainly not buy a used S-Class that has no lengthy warranty protection, if you plan on keeping it for some time.

I purchased a used 2004 S500 4Matic, MB CPO Certified, 48k miles, and I paid extra to increase the term of the warranty. I was very glad I did that. I drove the car from 2006 - 2010, and in that time, it needed over $6,000 of repairs (which is probably a conservative tally), all of which were covered under the MB CPO warranty. I was very happy with the car, and parted ways with it on good terms.

If you're going to spend $50k, maybe you want to consider just leasing a new one for 3 years. That way, you'll have bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage, and you'll get your next new one (which will be a new model / engine configuration) in a fixed period of time.

Regardless, my advice is to get one with an MB CPO warranty if you're going to go the used route (I was in that same boat). You won't be sorry - repairs are very expensive on these cars.

S550AMGSPORT

I paid 38.5K Private Party
30,156 Miles, Amg Package, 100K Warranty or till 2013!!
Base Model minus the AMG Package.. I wasnt too worried bout my
a$$ getting massaged or my rear passengers looking up at the moon!!
The deals are out there just keep looking..

poncekim

Good luck finding one for 50k. I've been following the used market closely for 3 months and prices are definitely rising and cars are selling fast. Note that this is specifically for AMG sport. There are plenty of vanilla s550s available, but the nicely optioned AMGs are selling like hotcakes now.

There were a couple I had on my save list that were sitting at the dealers since Nov/Dec. I noticed they jacked up the prices on both(separate dealers) 5k and guess what, they sold. Everything on my watch list has now been sold.

Your best time to buy was December. You could have gotten an 08, fully optioned AMG with 25-35K miles for 53-55K. Now, you'll probably pay 5k more.

I'm probably going to wait till Sept when the new refresh comes out and just lease a 2011 after getting 25-30k off msrp. It's a rip buying used right now.

WEBSRFR

You are right. I was debating between a 2007 E550 or 2007 S550 this December and the price deference was just about $12K but after reading your post I looked around a bit and it seems the S550s have gone UP in price. So you are right in that November/December of last year would have been a good time to buy one as I remember seeing them in the 40s. I ended up going with a E550 4Matic and love the car, which essentially has the same engine.

SpinMedia

i just got my 2007, certified pre owned for $47k. 40k miles on it with the AMG kit. i love it.

Em Bee Lover

When I got my 2007 it was still well under calendar warr., but had 55,000 miles, so no warr. The MB dlr. wanted over $7000 for forward warranty. I blinked.

My question is you said you had about $6000 over four years in repair costs. What did you pay for the extended warr. in 2006? I'd like to compare cost of "self-insuring" vs. the premium of an extended. How much did you save by buying warr.? Thanks.

IDriveAnM5

My dealer charged me between $2500 and $3000 for the extra warranty time. Sorry, but I can't remember the actual cost.

Em Bee Lover

Good savings (50%). Your $2500-3000 was reasonable, imo. I simply found $7200 or so last June prohibitive, so am naked. I had CPO and extended on my S430 (about $1800 seven years ago). The Airmatic crashed and it was over $2500 just for that. So, I made a wise warr. investment.

The net now? Say a little prayer for me.....smile.

Red Marko

Pros - price.
Cons - price.

brownbomber

Don't get this car without an extended warranty. It will hurt more than a divorce.

Quadcammer

Your car either was in an accident or has a salvage title.

emilner

I didn't know you ventured out of OT...

Not too many cons unless you are out of warranty...

emilner

I little harsh there. There have been some deals made in those ranges. Towards the end of last year the cars dropped in price quickly approaching the $30's until they bottomed and seem to have gone back up...

Quadcammer

with 30k miles and the sport package...doubtful

geneatlts

Agree. Something's not adding up with that car.

I just bought an 08 S550 totally loaded, Designo, AMG and all the goodies. MSRP was 121k. It has 43k miles and I paid 58k for it. I LOVE it. Head and shoulders above the old one.

I have until it reaches 50k miles to buy the MB extended warranty for $3,600.

Keep in mind the pre 07 cars had much more trouble than the new ones do. My 05 spent more time in the shop than in my garage.

Quadcammer

That actually hasn't been my experience with my 05. Aside from some very minor electrical problems (like an occasionally wonky parktronic sensor), I've had no issues since June 2009 and I use the car every day, rain, shine, or snow.

I'm also kinda disappointed that the 221 designo package no longer includeds full leather on the dash, door panels, parcel shelf, alcantara headliner etc.

the 221 suspension is better than the 220 though from my experience.

Chucky300

Check the Seat Track!

LOL

d5hystat

Just picked up a 07 39000 miles, middle of the road options, CPO. Original sticker of $97700. Paid just under 43K. (Plus the $599 "dealer fee" WFT..)

Not many at that price out there with less than 50000+ miles.

The dealer priced me at $3750 for the extra two year warranty add on. I have 30 days to get it then it goes up %15.. I haven't heard that one before. I've shopped the warranty a bit but that seems to be the best price.

I have to admit shopping was confusing. Your looking at 2,3,4k difference in car pricing with 5,6,7k difference in options. Being my first MB, I have no idea what options are worth anything and whats fluff... Got a little overwhelming.