Jerry Duvall

I'm looking at purchasing a 2013 S Class 550 with the AMG sports looks and rear seat comfort with 55,000 miles for $35,000 and wanted to gather some thoughts. The Carfax and AutoCheck is clean and shows two previous owners, of course the next step if I move forward will be a pre-purchase a a local benz dealership. But here is what I found out from the vehicle history reports:

1.) The second owner had the car registered as a "fleet/taxi vehicle". I assume this car was used by a business to escort people around since I don't believe you see any 550's as actual taxis.

2.) The car was brought from the Manhiem Auction in PA and been on the dealer lot for 3 months now.

Do you think it's may be a good deal to pursue based on the price, mileage and history?

slcbbrown

I'm no expert-- just an owner-- but, the price is definitely low enough to make me want to know more.

Jerry Duvall

I agree the price has me more curious about the car. I actually went and saw the car yesterday at the dealership and went on a test drive. The car rode smooth except that I noticed the car had some vibration or rumbling at the wheels she. You go past 50 or 60 miles per hour. Checking the tire pressure I saw that the front tires were 35 and 37 and the rear were at 34 and 40. But I'm also aware this could be another issue.

Any advice or experience with this issue? What are the likely causes?

1bad540

may be selling my 2010 amg s550 4 matic details in the classified section. Personally wouldnt touch a s550 from auction. Its not a lease return so its there for a reason.

Jerry Duvall

Thanks I'll check it out in the classifieds. Do you think the slight vibration or shaking problem is common among these cars?

I figured dealers buy cars from auctions, but since this car was sold a one or two auctions I somewhat fear something could be wrong with it. Though looking at it today everything seems to work as far as I could check out other than the ride quality issue above 60 mph.

1bad540

My car is smooth as glass.

superpop

I purchased my 2012 from a dealer who had acquired at an auction and I have had zero problems with mine. Most of these high end cars end up at the auction because they are hard to sell and MB dealers only take back the lowest mile examples of the car for CPO. 35K for this car seems fair. Unless it is an S63, the 221 is now a low to mid 30K car.

James Ross

I also bought a fleet car.same year.It was 40,000 it has 45,000 miles on it.It drive's smooth.Although the transmission sometimes down shift's hard.Only when i drive it hard.

alx

buying from auction is not a bad thing. most higher than normal mileage cars when traded- in go to auction.

buying an ex-limo is not a bad thing either. many miles in short period of time- cars generally fare well under those conditions and wear and tear is less than if those miles are over a longer period of time.

it all comes down to each individual case, but auction history does not raise red flags for me and should not do it for you either.