DAGREEKNYC

im actually thinking of getting a 09 and do a part swap onto the newer car . And i would go with the white , U dont see too many of them that color

Yuille36

I would definitely go with the White E63, as it is a CPO car. That's a big benefit in my book, even though it only adds one additional year to your warranty. But that one year, could mean the difference of costing you big bucks, if something was to break.

Vanditz

i would get an extended warranty no matter what car I got. SO that is not an issue. Hey Yuille, is your car color the same one as the designo color for sale at the carmax link I added on this thread? Graphite grey or something?

citylightva

I "think" that was the only designo exterior color..?? Or maybe there was a brownish one too...That gray is the only one I've seen on all the ones up for sale...

Yuille36

Vanditz,

Yes, that is the same color. My car is a Designo edition. And the color is called Graphite, but some call it gunmetal or grey. But my seat are exactly like the advertisement. Mercedes calls them black, even though they aren't. It's a Designo thing, I guess. And I don't have the Panoramic roof. But the cars look identical, in all respects.

Vanditz

Thanks guile. I'm going to check that car out tonight or tomorrow. Is the color easy to maintain

220S

The mid tone grays like Graphite and Flint are really easy to keep clean looking. After my last black car, this one is a major relief.

Brake dust on the front wheels of these puppies is a whole other story

citylightva

It is, but this stuff is like magic..!!! http://www.autogeek.net/dp370.html

I don't know how much color matters here in Dallas, I drive 5 miles and my car is already covered in our freaking dust...

Vanditz

I saw the designo tonight and fell in love with the color. I am actually having it shipped to Dallas and am going to see how much they give me for my lease car trade (carmax). That grey looks awesome on the car! How rare are these cars? The car is an 07. I wanted an 08 or 09 but like the color combo that much. It has 24k miles and is 51k.

MB_Forever

The other designo color that was offered on the W211 E-Class was the "Designo Mocha Black" which was a brownish black, but very rich looking. The interior color was espresso.

MB_Forever

Congrats on the car and don't forget to post pictures when you get it

The designo cars are very rare.... the designo option was $5,000 and most of the time, it is custom ordered, so such cars are hard to find. Before I bought my car, I was looking at the desino mocha black E63, but I had to pass because it came with the pano roof, and I wanted one without due to the extra weight it adds.

citylightva

Congrats man.!! Bring it up to Cars & Coffee sometime..!!

220S

Congrats on the purchase. That color combo is really nice.

What's the in-service date of the car? Be sure to pick up an ELW before the factory one goes out.

Vanditz

I haven't purchased the car yet. I want to see it in the daylight. They are transferring it to Plano carmax. I have to see what they'll give me for my jaguar xf first, before I do the deal. The car is held for 3 days though so no can can buy it. Hopefully they'll give me a fair price for my trade. I will have to take out an elw, but I think it can only go until 7 years? The car is already on it's 4th year, so I can only take a warranty outnto cover it for the next 3 years?!

citylightva

Ahhh the carmax transfer...right...Hope they don't try to stick you on the Jag then...!

Vanditz

If I end up getting the car, I definately will attend the cars and coffee though!

220S

afaik, the max is 7/100. The MB one is easy to get as long as the car is still under factory (no inspection, etc..) Plus it's refundable (pro-rated) if you sell the car or if you just don't want it anymore (and transferable to the next owner if you want to use it as a buyer's motivation.) But it's the more expensive ELW. Not certain about the Chrysler or others. Lots of people have Chrysler here and they can tell you. Personally I'd stick with either Chrysler or MB ELWs. Plenty of info and pros and cons here, do a search (it's the most common thread after mod question threads)

....after 3 years you'll want the new E63 5.5TT anyway

VENOMNS

My 07 White with Pano is going up for sale... at about 10k less with full cpo till 2012. =)

Vanditz

ok guys. Talk me out of it. I love the designo graphite e63. It has 24k miles, is selling for 51k at carmax. I LOVE IT. Yet, here is what doesn't make financial sense in a way

1. An extended warranty will be needed almost immediately, right? (bought in 2006?)
2. Tires will need to be replaced in 10k miles I am estimating
3. Doesn't have ipod integration, and I want it. ($800 installed)
4. Bluetooth dongle- $300 off ebay
5. My lease has 10 months left, car offered 40,500 for trad-in, buy-out is $46,300. I can still save $2k on the tax trade though since in TX i paid the whole sales tax on the lease jag

So there you have it. Does it make financial sense? Hell no. Does the desgino graphite with special interior become available often for sale? As far as I know it doesn't. I love the car. It is in great shape minus the tires Carmax should have replaced but won't. (damn no haggle business model). Heart vs Mind. Always a tough call.

WhitePano

Personally I would not touch an e63/e55 right now. The new TT engine is going to be released in September and I see the values going down on the previous models

220S

Heart and Mind, never the twain shall meet.

White Pano has a point that prices might go down (although they always go down anyway over time) when the TT arrives. But it's not being released in the E63 this September. Nonetheless, knowing it's coming may push the prices now.

However, as your heart tells you, that Designo 63 won't be around in September.

Did you factor in the ELW? They aren't cheap. iPod and BT you can do anytime. The ELW might need to be done right away depending on the in-service date. Tires you'll burn through anyway with these cars.

Tough call. But you gotta drive a car that truly puts a smile on your face. But without going broke. Yep, heart and mind........

citylightva

I believe for iPod and bluetooth Mid-City Engineering has an even better product than the stock COMAND based stuff. I think it actually displays iPod in the main screen if I remember right.

Tough call man. You are correct about in service, probably fall at the earliest. Mine was 12/06. Designo is certainly a huge draw and I know what you mean about the color. I searched the whole country for one when I was looking.

Like 220S said you would definitely want to get an ELW pretty soon, that's what like 3-4K..? I'll be honest I haven't had a set of tires last more than 8000 and they were 1 performance class down from ContiSportContact's and PS2's...

Depreciation, well CarMax is usually a little more than everyone, but with a better rep than most. You've missed a lot of the depreciation. I've only taken an approximate $15K in 2 years and 22K miles, so it could be a lot worse. Like the 45K I bought it under sticker...LOL...

Wish I could talk you out of it, but I do love my car for what it is. It's gone this fall/winter since I don't want to buy an ELW, but I'd keep it forever if I could buy around it..!!!

Vanditz

Love the color but can't get past the warranty+iPod adapter+tires. Doesn't make financial sense. Found a 08 black/black with factory carbon fiber trim with low miles 10k for 59k CPO. It even has the iPod adapter and new tires. Guess I'll have to settle! They are even giving me 1.5k more for my trade.
Gonna pick it up tomorrow

citylightva

Very nice and congrats..!! CF trim is also hard to find. Welcome to the hell of keeping the black looking clean in TX Somehow the aero on these forces all the dust to stick to the rear of the car like magic LOL...Enjoy the ride.!! I'm taking mine to MSR on Saturday.

Meeyatch1

So did you get the car?