philipf22

Hey Everybody,

My first post..and hopefully not my last.

I found a 2012 E63AMG non performance w/ a Renntech ECU flash already installed. It's in in new condition (only 18k miles) and the guy is asking mid to high 40's for it.

The car is out of factory warranty and there doesn't seem to be any great options for getting an aftermarket one in California.

Normally I'm okay buying cars out of warranty but this would be the most complex machine I've purchased to date so I have some reservations.

Any options you guys know of for warranty?
Also how has the reliability of this platform been for you all?

Thanks in advance!

PaulE550

First thing you want to do is check and verify all the service records on the car. No service records means you don't buy it. Next you want to have this car completely inspected by someone who knows MB vehicles inside and out to see what shape it's really in and what parts may need attention in the near future. Given the car has been tuned, the owner has either taken really good care of it, with all necessary maintenance being done on schedule, or the owner beat the hell out it and decided to unload it onto someone else and move on. You just need to know which to determine what you're really buying first, so you're making an informed decision. Nothing wrong with a tuned vehicle. It just depends how the owner treated it along the way.

Then you really need to find an after-market warranty as maintenance of certain parts can be a bit pricy. Remember, the parts are still priced based on what the vehicle originally sold for. So you just need to budget accordingly.

Best of luck to you on your new vehicle, if it all checks out. An E63 is a hell of a car to drive.

philipf22

"or the owner beat the hell out it and decided to unload it onto someone else and move on. "
That is my experience as well.

Regarding inspections, does MB do a similar pre-purchase inspection similar to Porche? Or would it best to take it to an independent?

Any significant known issues with this car that I should be aware of?

philipf22

So the good news is that MB is flexible on allowing the warranty since the car is immaculate, low miles, and just out of warranty.

The bad news..the warranty for AMG cars is $6,700 for 3 years
http://www.mercedesbenzcary.com/exte...y-pricing.html

PeterUbers

Great advice

Also... If the aftermarket warranty company knows or comes to know there is a tune ... Your warranty may be voided... And aftermarket warranties are pricey

philipf22

So this is pretty funny. I called 4 different aftermarket warranty companies and was told by two of them that they won't cover it because it's an AMG vehicle.

PeterUbers

And geico is one of them. Too expensive

robl45

I don't remember who my warranty is through, it was like 4900 bucks for up to 125K miles and 5 years for my 2011. covers everything with 100 dollar deductible. I believe my dealer I got it through will sell them to anyone. Cheapest I could find was like 8900 elsewhere. However my car was still under factory warranty when I bought this one although it only had 2 weeks left. Dealer was global luxury imports, you can google for the website.

2012 merc amg

Factory warranties went way up in price a couple of years ago, I was about the last to get in cheap, got a 7 year 100K warrantee for 4200 bucks. I would look elsewhere for a different car, not worth it. Look for something around 45 grand with 30 to 40K miles on it dealer maintained and maybe something that has the balance of a extended warrantee on it. Then you can modify the car as you please if you dare. I don't do a tune as I still have 3 years of the extended warrantee and if something major where to go wrong like a turbo or valve train or trans I don't want to get stuck with the bill whereas I paid the extra for the extended. Or even better buy a 2014 on up for more $$$ and get awd.

PeterUbers

I got an elw on my new '14 for $2600....7/75.... Just a few months before prices exploded

kponti

Worth it. The usual 3 year unlimited miles CPO extension from MB is $5000 anyway so a $1700 premium cos you are out of warranty would be worth it if you are that worried about it. I am sure it can be negotiated down as well

You can check service records till you are blue in the face, will NOT be indicative of how the car was used. Could be abused to death and still have a great service history with that mileage. It will take a little while before all the damage shows up. Get the warranty and enjoy the car. Some who talk about the car being abused also track their cars....if that's not abuse I do not know what is lol. That being said, check anyway, at least it will tell you if the owner bothered to maintain, but that's all you will get out of it

PeterUbers

Alternatively you can set aside $7000 for future repairs

otakki

Is that 5 years after the factory warranty expires? Will it cover the infamous headbolts issue with the M156 engine?

By the way, has anyone had any experience with Fidelity?

kponti

A lot of aftermarket insurance will not cover any bolts, headbolts included

Fidelity is one I've heard great things about

NedNederlander

Re: ELW. I just called Erin in Santa Rosa, CA, she's mentioned many times in these forums as a go to person for ELWs. Erin confirmed that even though my car is in great shape because it was not CPO'd when i bought it from a BMW dealer that MB will not allow for an ELW - Erin said the system no longer allows her to offer ELW on used MB unless it was CPO'd. However, I have had my e63 for 2yrs now and no issues (knocking on the desk now) and subscribe to Peter's comments of setting aside cash for repairs - It could actually save you money in the long run if you are not keeping this car forever and nothing major happens.

robl45

On another car setting Aside money probably a smart move. On this car when the engine or transmission can easily be over 5k, that just isn't a wise move.

e63amgeee

I just got a 2yr ELW through Erin from Santa Rosa MB. Good price at $4k (next cheapest was almost $5k) and super efficient transaction.

NedNederlander

It might be helpful if others could chime in to the OP's question about reliability of the platform - it would be interesting to know if those who spent money for an ELW or 3rd party actually end up using it over the period of ownership. For me, it has been super reliable over the past 2yrs and only expecting a few more years reliability before i sell it.

robl45

It doesn't matter how reliable it is for you. It takes one freak occurrence for the 30k plus engine to go. Same thing with the trans which I'm sure is 10k plus.

beegee227

What's the trick in getting hold of Erin? Also, how long ago was this?

NedNederlander

Call her when it's raining in Santa Rosa, CA. Previously, it had taken about a month to connect with her but a week ago I called and she said when it's raining the dealership is slow and she's more available for calls.