MB certified pre owned - what does it really represent?
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Streamliner... Do what I do... Go back in history and pull something out of the hat! With the money you save you can add any convenience you want. I am getting ready to install a voice activated 4G head unit in my G... Along with a 1,000 Watt Pure Sine Wave inverter for anything I might need. The interior is perfect but I may go with carbon fiber instead of the dated wood.
You can use your imagination with a car that fires your soul instead of looking at the crap that most manufacturers put out these days. I used to LOVE BMWs... But wouldn't own one now. I have had several Porsches... But they just aren't as good as in the air cooled days!
I feel your pain!
You can use your imagination with a car that fires your soul instead of looking at the crap that most manufacturers put out these days. I used to LOVE BMWs... But wouldn't own one now. I have had several Porsches... But they just aren't as good as in the air cooled days!
I feel your pain!
1973 911E Targa in Aubergine with tan, Recaro seats with houndstooth inserts.
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
Air cooled cars have nothing on current Pork. Stiffness of chassis... handling balance... power.... BRAKES! Comfort. The current cars are from a different planet by comparison.
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From: Fredericksburg, VA
2003 AMG G55
They absolutely are! And MUCH more powerful! But I still love the smell of the old air-cooled cars and the leather. Plus the older style! After 1994 they started going down-hill style-wise until the early 2000s when they got away from the cracked egg headlights. My son has a 2017 GTS... He is toying with selling it as he doesn't drive it that much anymore.
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
There is SO much more to car culture than speed. The new cars are all blistering fast, but they have no soul like the old ones. I would take my old Targa over ANY current sports car, I don't care how fast they are.
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
I loved my 124-036 500E but recognize it has nothing on current cars.
I’ve spent enough time in a current GT3 and GT2RS to assure you they have the magic.... and are not forever wanting to swap ends.
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From: San Jose, CA
11 E550, 16 AMG GTS, 13 S550
Ex dealer advisor here. It means almost nothing. It carries usually an extended warranty which is already factored into the price. You can buy a car with cooked brakes, old fluid, squeaky suspension, old wipers, original filters and none of it will be covered by the warranty. It'll typically have a fresh oil change and full reservoirs in the engine bay.
The CPO means they looked at it, it looks good inside and out, and there isn't anything immediately broken but that doesn't mean they actually did any service to it since it arrived. It's the same service they claim to do during your Service A more or less.
Don't worry it's not exclusive to MB, I just prefer not to drag other makes into it since I don't have experience besides MB.
The CPO means they looked at it, it looks good inside and out, and there isn't anything immediately broken but that doesn't mean they actually did any service to it since it arrived. It's the same service they claim to do during your Service A more or less.
Don't worry it's not exclusive to MB, I just prefer not to drag other makes into it since I don't have experience besides MB.
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Alpha European Autotech
Purchase Amsoil at 25% off from me
Chris Tran, Retired Alpha European Autotech Owner
Amsoil Independent Dealer #7236674
Alpha European Autotech
Purchase Amsoil at 25% off from me
Chris Tran, Retired Alpha European Autotech Owner
Amsoil Independent Dealer #7236674
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2023
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From: Fredericksburg, VA
2003 AMG G55
Chris.... I am glad I didn't buy a car where you worked. Yes, I agree that *some* dealers are like that. But not every dealer is a bad guy. I have been in the auto industry for 36+ years now. I can tell you I have met some slimy pirates and bad apples. But I have also met some people of the highest integrity. The trick to it all is to avoid the former and BE the latter.
I was a used car manager about half a lifetime ago when CPO first came out. We took it very seriously. I always took my job seriously. Since then, I have migrated over to the financial side, but I am still in dealers almost every day. There are places I would take the car if it were free and then there are others I would pay a premium because I trust them and they take their reconditioning very seriously.
CPO rules vary by manufacturer... But are largely the same.
I was a used car manager about half a lifetime ago when CPO first came out. We took it very seriously. I always took my job seriously. Since then, I have migrated over to the financial side, but I am still in dealers almost every day. There are places I would take the car if it were free and then there are others I would pay a premium because I trust them and they take their reconditioning very seriously.
CPO rules vary by manufacturer... But are largely the same.
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2022
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From: Florida
2018 S 450
When I bought my car it had 48,500 miles and/or one year left on the factory warranty. Originally It was not a CPO. I asked the dealer if they could certify it for me and they did, at a cost obviously. I did it for two reasons 1) I would reach 50,000 miles soon 2) I wanted to get extended warranty and from what I understood this was the way to do it.
In the end I left with the CPO plus 2 years of extended warranty. For me it was absolutey worth it. Cost me about 4k total and has covered every issue I've had so far with the exception of the multi contour seats that stopped working a couple of months ago. That one I had to pay for
In the end I left with the CPO plus 2 years of extended warranty. For me it was absolutey worth it. Cost me about 4k total and has covered every issue I've had so far with the exception of the multi contour seats that stopped working a couple of months ago. That one I had to pay for
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
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Yes, after very many brand new cars in a row, I just went CPO, but mostly because I had to. My last five daily drivers were new S Class sedans. I really liked all of them, until I got the 2022 S580, which turned out to be a nightmare for me, so I bought a CPO 2020 S560.
Of course, you are right about the huge expense there is to buy or lease new cars, but to some, it is a true delight. To study the options and to figure out just how you want your new car built. The anticipation as you wait the three months or so before it shows up. To some, there is value in this and great enjoyment & satisfaction. Unfortunately, I currently find myself in The Twilight Zone, as there is not one new car out there, in the S Class price range, that I am interested in getting. I cannot remember a time like this, as since I was a kid, there has ALWAYS been some new car I wanted, but not today.
Anyway, good thoughts on the CPO program. My 2020 still has about 19 months left on the original factory warranty and then the CPO warranty kicks in, giving me another year and unlimited mileage. That’s certainly worth something.
Of course, you are right about the huge expense there is to buy or lease new cars, but to some, it is a true delight. To study the options and to figure out just how you want your new car built. The anticipation as you wait the three months or so before it shows up. To some, there is value in this and great enjoyment & satisfaction. Unfortunately, I currently find myself in The Twilight Zone, as there is not one new car out there, in the S Class price range, that I am interested in getting. I cannot remember a time like this, as since I was a kid, there has ALWAYS been some new car I wanted, but not today.
Anyway, good thoughts on the CPO program. My 2020 still has about 19 months left on the original factory warranty and then the CPO warranty kicks in, giving me another year and unlimited mileage. That’s certainly worth something.
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Oh since we are talking about Porsche, the Remote Park Assist Package (I think you call it?) also isn't ordered by new owners as often so if you want Rear cross traffic alert on a Cayenne and want to buy used? Forget about it, just buy new by ordering yourself.
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Although it is not the same as the past (it never will be again there is a reason why there is so much love towards classic Porsches), the GT3 RS with the 9K RPM at least have somewhat (?) a soul, being able to adjust PASM, PTV Plus, etc. on the fly instead of having the vehicle parked and then manually do it is sort of a game changer. If you have a chance drive the GT3 RS and GT4 RS, you might also enjoy it as much as my friend did as admittedly I too never had a chance to try those aforementioned vehicles, my friend did though.
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From: So Cal South Bay
2023 E450 wagon 2011 Toyota Tacoma
I bought a 2011 E350 wagon CPO in 2016 from the dealer in Van Nuys, CA. The vehicle had three regular tires and one runs-flat when I bought it. Insulation in the engine block was loose and needed to be replaced. One of the side window sunshades was stuck in the door and couldn't be raised or lowered. The rear seat middle passenger seat belt buck tongue was installed backwards making it completely non functional. The third seat head rests were missing. The CPO checklist said they had inspected the distronic and parktronic system and they were working. This vehicle didn't come with distronic/parktronic. There were a few other features that checked out OK on the CPO report that my vehicle didn't have.
The CPO is a complete joke. I got the vehicle at what I considered a good price and I'm still driving it today (after getting all those little annoyances repaired). I had assumed that a CPO designation means that Mercedes did a thorough inspection and repaired any major safety issues. I don't believe that anymore and I wonder what kind of an inspection they do on the used vehicles that the dealer sells that do not pass the CPO guidelines.
The CPO is a complete joke. I got the vehicle at what I considered a good price and I'm still driving it today (after getting all those little annoyances repaired). I had assumed that a CPO designation means that Mercedes did a thorough inspection and repaired any major safety issues. I don't believe that anymore and I wonder what kind of an inspection they do on the used vehicles that the dealer sells that do not pass the CPO guidelines.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
S550C4, Porsche Cayenne
I bought a 2011 E350 wagon CPO in 2016 from the dealer in Van Nuys, CA. The vehicle had three regular tires and one runs-flat when I bought it. Insulation in the engine block was loose and needed to be replaced. One of the side window sunshades was stuck in the door and couldn't be raised or lowered. The rear seat middle passenger seat belt buck tongue was installed backwards making it completely non functional. The third seat head rests were missing. The CPO checklist said they had inspected the distronic and parktronic system and they were working. This vehicle didn't come with distronic/parktronic. There were a few other features that checked out OK on the CPO report that my vehicle didn't have.
The CPO is a complete joke. I got the vehicle at what I considered a good price and I'm still driving it today (after getting all those little annoyances repaired). I had assumed that a CPO designation means that Mercedes did a thorough inspection and repaired any major safety issues. I don't believe that anymore and I wonder what kind of an inspection they do on the used vehicles that the dealer sells that do not pass the CPO guidelines.
The CPO is a complete joke. I got the vehicle at what I considered a good price and I'm still driving it today (after getting all those little annoyances repaired). I had assumed that a CPO designation means that Mercedes did a thorough inspection and repaired any major safety issues. I don't believe that anymore and I wonder what kind of an inspection they do on the used vehicles that the dealer sells that do not pass the CPO guidelines.
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From: Fredericksburg, VA
2003 AMG G55
Side note... My old baby...
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
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From: Maysville, KY , est'd 1767
Mercedes S560
Recently, there was a black CPO 2020 S560 for sale at RBM in Atlanta. It had three things going for it: It only had like 2,700 miles on it, it had Magic Body Control, AND it REEKED OF SMOKE! In a walk around video they sent me, you could see rippled areas of the driver’s seat. My guess is that some guy used the car as his “SMOKING CAVE.” He went & sat in there with the A/C running, massage seats going, audio playing and enjoyed himself away from the wife & family. The car showed that ultra low mileage, but was really not as advertised.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
S550C4, Porsche Cayenne
Recently, there was a black CPO 2020 S560 for sale at RBM in Atlanta. It had three things going for it: It only had like 2,700 miles on it, it had Magic Body Control, AND it REEKED OF SMOKE! In a walk around video they sent me, you could see rippled areas of the driver’s seat. My guess is that some guy used the car as his “SMOKING CAVE.” He went & sat in there with the A/C running, massage seats going, audio playing and enjoyed himself away from the wife & family. The car showed that ultra low mileage, but was really not as advertised.
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Joined: Jul 2023
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From: Fredericksburg, VA
2003 AMG G55
I was thinking the same thing. They have ozone machines you can put in the vehicle for 30-60 minutes and it comes out clean as a whistle!
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 58
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From: Fredericksburg, VA
2003 AMG G55
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From: Atlanta, GA
2020 S450 4Matic, 2022 GLS450 4Matic, 2015 C300
