Any suggestions as what to look for in a used one, besides paint work of course, must have/not have options. Anyone one selling one for a good price, would like it to be CPO but open to other options depending on price, looking for a .1 due to price.

Thank you

Joe

 

Hi Jill. I can talk to a few of my guys and let you know if any one is selling. Your best bet is to have the dealership inspect any car you were interested in. We can all also be here to help if you have any questions. Good luck!

 

I think must have is PDCC, PCCB, remote entry and drive, premium package plus, Burmester.

Nice bonus is light design package and black headlights with the auto brights.

 

As shifter mentioned, those are good options to have. I love my seat ventilation and adaptive cruise, personally.

As for what I *dont* want, I only skipped three options (my option list was too long for the sticker)...
- leather covered door sill margin (feet scrape it up and its uglier scraped up than the usual plastic)
- glass roof (too many problems with big glass Mercedes roofs). I stuck with a metal sunroof.
- Centerlock wheels. I got it with 5-lug wheels on the S model. The CL is a royal pain in the *** for wheel spacers, wheel selection, and road-side assistance. I can't think of an actual significant advance to CLs other than looks.

 

I don't even like the looks as much as the Turbo I wheels. I like seat ventilation and Burmester.

 

Options are all subjective so you should go check them out because the ones mentioned above I would tell you the opposite, again subjective.

CPO is great as these things are expensive to fix.

Lastly I would absolutely get a PPI if you do not buy CPO.

Good luck with your search.

 

The car is just a used car so you look for everything. Paint work of course, but you want to make sure the cold engine starts ok, doesn't make any scary noises, or manifest any signs of trouble, from a cold start and idling nearly to full temperature.

Be sure when you visit the car the A/C is off and the CEL comes on and then goes off when the engine starts.

Let the engine idle while you walk around the car checking for anything out of the ordinary. But keep an ear tuned to the engine.

Have the seller take you on a 15 mile test ride. The route should give the driver an opportunity to within reason demo the car as you intend to use it.

Back at the starting point then you take the car out and drive the same route and drive the car the same way.

You must experience the car in its natural state: With the engine running and the car on the road. All (almost all) cars look just fine on the driveway. It is on the road where their true character comes out.

After the test ride and drive then give the car a thorough used car check out. Assume nothing works until you have verified it does work.

If after all of the above if you still like the car and believe you can buy it for an agreeable sum then arrange for a PPI.

Among other things this gets the car in the air so a careful check can be made for any leak sign, or other signs of problems.

Every gasket, o-ring hose, hose fitting, seal, hydraulic line, line fitting, CV boot has to be checked. RMS, water pump, camshaft covers, and transmission seals, rear and front diff axle flange seals, CV boots, power steering lines, power steering rack seals, brake lines, radiators, and so on.

For options every owner has his preferences. My next car I would like to have PCCBs, possibly PDK. I've been driving for more years than I like to remember and I'm quite ready to let the PDK have all the fun. While I wouldn't necessarily seek out a PDK equipped car I'd not reject it either provided it met with all my other requirements.

Wouldn't bother me if the car had center locks or 5 lug wheels. I'll take what comes in this regard.

Must haves are auto climate control, rain sensing wipers, bi-xenon headlights, auto dimming mirrors, rear window wiper.

Power door locks, windows, etc. are of course standard (as are some of the other options).

I'm not a fan of heated seats but my observation the time I've owned a car with heated seats is the ladies love them. First thing a woman searches for is the heated seat button.

If you share the car with someone seat memory/mirror memory can be of some value.

Navigation unit is nice. Built in though are expensive and I'm not sure how current the technology is and this technology ages fast.

I don't care about sun roof, fancy smancy stereo systems, in-car phone communication. I seldom use a phone at home or work even though I have 2 cell phones and a desk phone and when I do use a phone I do not want to use it in the car even if is hands free. My car is my escape from all that.

Welcome Home and garage door opening and such you have to decide what you like, want or need.