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I found a car that I like (2017 SL550) but the VIN shows the car was ordered for demo/press. This FY2017 was actually manufactured Dec 2015. I think it was one of the first batch of press / demo cars. The carfax doesn't show exactly where and how it was used other than the first buyer from a dealer at 5K miles. It has every option you can think of.
I personally don't think this is an issue but I wonder if you are a buyer you would walk away from it. Do people even check VIN thoroughly? If you have any personal experience of buying a such vehicle, I'd like to hear and learn. Thank you.
In fall of 2020, I bought a 2019 SL450 that had < 1000 miles. I was told it was used for press outings and for when visiting VIP's came to town (Pompano Beach, FL). It had never been registered and was being sold as a CPO. I felt comfortable with its history and ended up with a nearly new car with a longer warranty than a new one (original warranty started in 2020 when registered + one year for CPO). I have not had a single issue with it. Is this one being sold privately or by an MB dealer? If you can get it CPO'd, I'd have no hesitation, assuming there are no red flags (from previous owner, etc). Good luck.
Hi Bob,
This one is not from an MB dealer. Also, the first time it was registered was at 7K miles and 20 months later and now it has 30K miles.
Perhaps I should sit tight and wait for the right one.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Get it checked by an independent mechanic from a reputable shop. How much are they selling it for? Why does no one ever say that? If they are selling for $35k, ****** it up and get an extended warranty for about $5000 if you have to.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by aslanc
Hi Bob,
This one is not from an MB dealer. Also, the first time it was registered was at 7K miles and 20 months later and now it has 30K miles.
Perhaps I should sit tight and wait for the right one.
1100 miles per month is not a lot for a daily driver. I only buy cars I want to drive every chance I get. Otherwise, I have a big hunk of metal taking up space.
It's an SL, not a Mustang or Hellcat demo. I highly doubt it was spending it's life at redline. If the price and options are what you're looking for, I say go for it!
I agree with the opinions above. Get it inspected by a reputable independent shop, and if it's OK, and if the price and options are right for you, pull the trigger. I guess it also depends on the "competition" out there. Are there other similar cars with similar price/options? If this is the best deal, you might feel better with an extended warranty for peace of mind.
I found a car that I like (2017 SL550) but the VIN shows the car was ordered for demo/press. This FY2017 was actually manufactured Dec 2015. I think it was one of the first batch of press / demo cars. The carfax doesn't show exactly where and how it was used other than the first buyer from a dealer at 5K miles. It has every option you can think of.
I personally don't think this is an issue but I wonder if you are a buyer you would walk away from it. Do people even check VIN thoroughly? If you have any personal experience of buying a such vehicle, I'd like to hear and learn. Thank you.
Can you post a VIN? I wonder what my warranty system will read the vehicle date as.
In general, press vehicles will be beaten on. It doesn't mean they are bad to buy but they do not get the love and will have signs of use beyond the usual low mileage. Just don't buy it remotely or make sure to see it in person and that it checks all boxes in terms of PPI, condition and price, which should be below normal used car pricing.
2006 CLS55 AMG Sold 2010 E550 Coupe totaled '13 SL550 current and loving it!
Sounds like it was a dealer demo, not a rental. If a rental no F'ing way, but, a dealer demo shouldn't be an issue. Get it inspected, if it checks out get it.
Sounds like it was a dealer demo, not a rental. If a rental no F'ing way, but, a dealer demo shouldn't be an issue. Get it inspected, if it checks out get it.
MY2017 SL's built in 2015 were press cars, not dealer demos. Just FYI
I have a feeling that the car that I am currently drooling over is possibly both the car discussed on this thread and also in the link that is mentioned above from a few years ago. It’s a beauty for sure but there is a lot that I do not understand about this and if it is indeed from the same car from the 2019 post then it is a real disaster. Here is the VIN: WDDJK7DA3HF041022
Currently it has about 35,000 miles and the asking price is approximately $73,000. Can anyone advise further? Thank you!
Also, on the earlier 2019 thread he mentions that the leather dash had bubbled up. Take a look at this photo from the dealership page – – its way over exposed (intentionally?) but that dash does look pretty ripply to me. Any thoughts on that because it is difficult to compare as most cars do not have a good dashboard picture.
Also, on the earlier 2019 thread he mentions that the leather dash had bubbled up. Take a look at this photo from the dealership page – – its way over exposed (intentionally?) but that dash does look pretty ripply to me. Any thoughts on that because it is difficult to compare as most cars do not have a good dashboard picture.
My car's dash is perfectly flat, and I think most are. This car's dash looks worse than the pictures from the other one. It may be the same car that just worsened over time. I wouldn't buy it like that though unless you saved enough on it to cover it getting fixed and were sure there were no other issues. I bought an SLK once that had bubbled up door panel material, but I never really noticed it while in the car ... I'd see this all the time, and it would really bother me.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by HighPercentile
Also, on the earlier 2019 thread he mentions that the leather dash had bubbled up. Take a look at this photo from the dealership page – – its way over exposed (intentionally?) but that dash does look pretty ripply to me. Any thoughts on that because it is difficult to compare as most cars do not have a good dashboard picture.
$73,000!!! Sorry, but that's a bit out of my league for a car with a defective dash cover. You gotta ask how that happens. Then you gotta ask what else could be wrong. How many owners? How long has it been for sale? Someone will buy it and either be happy or miserable. At the very least, I'd have an independent mechanic that knows these cars to check it with a fine toothed comb.
This is a different car than the 2019 thread but a press car nonetheless.
From the VIN:
006 SPECIAL TEST VEHICLE
070 MAJOR ASSEMBLY FOR TEST VEHICLE
The dash needs replacement as it is in unacceptable condition. I would also stay clear of that dealer as they took detailed pics of everything else except obvious damage. The front bumper does have some warping and uneven gaps, so a repair/replacement is likely.
That car was previously for sale for $62k with just 400 miles less on the clock and I think that was overpriced. Dash replacement is pricey. I think this should be in the $50k range...
The car overall is exactly in the condition I expect these types of cars be.
I have a feeling that the car that I am currently drooling over is possibly both the car discussed on this thread and also in the link that is mentioned above from a few years ago. It’s a beauty for sure but there is a lot that I do not understand about this and if it is indeed from the same car from the 2019 post then it is a real disaster. Here is the VIN: WDDJK7DA3HF041022
Currently it has about 35,000 miles and the asking price is approximately $73,000. Can anyone advise further? Thank you!
I don't see any use code changes that would make me think it was used as a press car. It was dealer traded and took a little while to originally sell.
I don't see any use code changes that would make me think it was used as a press car. It was dealer traded and took a little while to originally sell.
But they were...
These were pre-production cars, built and brought in well before the availability and official release in the US. These build dates were as early as July 2015, a full year before these cars were actually coming into the country. The official launch in LA was mid-November 2015 with a US release in May 2016 (April in Europe). Actual deliveries commenced in July/August 2016. The MBUSA configurator was up in late May 2016.
Be nice for you to find other production cars with these build codes
003 MANUAL DATE-CONTROLLED VEHICLE
006 SPECIAL TEST VEHICLE
070 MAJOR ASSEMBLY FOR TEST VEHICLE
102 CONTROL PRODUCTION TEST 2
But they were...
These were pre-production cars, built and brought in well before the availability and official release in the US. These build dates were as early as July 2015, a full year before these cars were actually coming into the country. The official launch in LA was mid-November 2015 with a US release in May 2016 (April in Europe). Actual deliveries commenced in July/August 2016. The MBUSA configurator was up in late May 2016.
Be nice for you to find other production cars with these build codes
003 MANUAL DATE-CONTROLLED VEHICLE
006 SPECIAL TEST VEHICLE
070 MAJOR ASSEMBLY FOR TEST VEHICLE
102 CONTROL PRODUCTION TEST 2
Yup, I needed to have my morning coffee. The production date and shipping via airfreight should have been dead giveaways before looking any further. Attached is the VII code read out.
Wouldn't sitting in the baking sun for an extended time say without any shade cause that? I can image other damage inside as well, but if a car is just sitting with the windows up on 100 degrees + days for months it is possible. IMO
I remember when my car was at the dealer for an extended time sitting in the lot while awaiting on ex warranty repair approvals I called the dealer and asked them to please make sure my windows were slightly cracked so thy wouldn't crack from the heat. I also asked them to park it where it would get shaded at least part of the day if it was going to remain outside. A few days later I drove by the dealer and drove onto the lot to see where my car was. Sure enough it was parked where a tree shaded it for most of the day. They also cracked my windows so the heat would vent.
Originally Posted by JettaRed
What causes the wrinkle in the dash? Moisture? It seems something made the glue stop gluing. My concern is not knowing what causes that.
Last edited by ThatsMyDawg; 04-18-2022 at 05:07 PM.
Wouldn't sitting in the baking sun for an extended time say without any shade cause that? I can image other damage inside as well, but if a car is just sitting with the windows up on 100 degrees + days for months it is possible. IMO
Yes, this is mostly seen in places like Florida and California. I believe there have been several posters who have had this issue. Although that one is the worst I've seen. I'm going to have to guess that car could have had the top down in a rain storm too
Ahhhhh yeah the top down rain thing is for sure a possibility, although I would have to guess if it was that much rain inside there would be other damage such as dash light errors from water., or window switches on the fritz, condensation marks inside the displays, etc.. Any dash work can get crazy expensive fast and when you add in 100k cars well............
Originally Posted by crconsulting
Yes, this is mostly seen in places like Florida and California. I believe there have been several posters who have had this issue. Although that one is the worst I've seen. I'm going to have to guess that car could have had the top down in a rain storm too
03-30-2022, 07:12 PM
