Not a Merc fan...but woah...

"Azrek" (azrek)
05/29/2020 at 22:48 • Filed to: None

Just doing some unnecessary shopping during the plague...and woah...tell me why this is a good/bad idea?

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DISCUSSION (16)

jimz > Azrek
05/29/2020 at 22:53

tell me why this is a good/bad id ea?

it’s a bad idea because it’s a used Mercedes without a warranty.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Azrek
05/29/2020 at 23:01

I know a guy who bought a first year model and had TONS of issues. From motor stuff, to the door h andle falling off.

I’m assuming they fixed those things, so go for it!

Azrek > jimz
05/29/2020 at 23:01

What if I negotiate for a warranty thrown in?

jimz > Azrek
05/29/2020 at 23:05

because those “warranties” are more accurately “insurance” plans, with a minefield of exclusions and all sorts of gotchas like you have to deal with adjusters, use approved shops, and accept used repair parts.

thatsmr > Azrek
05/29/2020 at 23:12

Because the cost of the warranties on these are most likely way more than the profit margin on this AMG. Id bet a three year comprehensive costs at least 8 grand

thatsmr > jimz
05/29/2020 at 23:18

More legit plans are called more accurately “service contracts”, and do pay out legit like a warranty. See Doug’s Carmax Range Rover Warranty

thatsmr > Azrek
05/29/2020 at 23:25

Ive been commenting to Jim, one of your commenters here. Click the carfax on the dealer ad, and tell me you want to start paying for those visits after buying a 70k car. Like I said to Jim, it would probably cost at least 8grand for a three year (low mile) warranty on this

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > Azrek
05/29/2020 at 23:47

You’d get all the chicks. Do it...

Mind you, I’m really drunk right now...

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > thatsmr
06/02/2020 at 02:30

Most of these are trash. Only a couple are decent. But they still don't hit the CarMax or CPO level.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
06/02/2020 at 02:31

Do you know what city he was in by chance?

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Azrek
06/02/2020 at 02:38

What do you want to know?

General rule of thumb, never buy the cheapest example of a Mercedes that you can find. That being said, I haven’t seen many issues with these that weren’t caused by idiot owners and idiot mechanics. The ones that colleagues I know personally and I have serviced from new by the book have only had minor interior rattles and software updates.

The ones that get their oil changed by Joe’s Tires or even Deutsch Formula, with owners who won’t even do a brake flush... Those are a different story.

I’ve got a client who has an S for a daily and an R for the track. He drives them haaaaa rd. There’s always melted tire rubber sticking to the paint and he goes through tires real fast. But again, larg ely problem free, certainly nothing big, or even moderate.

Azrek > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/02/2020 at 10:45

The carfax has some odd repairs, but beyond that it seems like it was driven and not stored. I am interested in it for sure, but still worried on a used Merc like this vs getting a newer AMG.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Azrek
06/02/2020 at 14:10

I just pulled up the VMI and service history looks really good. It might be due for service right now, though if it is just a minor one (though trans service might be due as well? ) . It’s had the torque tube and driveshaft replaced, as well as the rear main seal and a dashboard but to leather defect. None of these are common. The earliest of the carbon shafts had a recall, but this one is past the clean point. I suspect when the rear main was done the shaft was damaged.

If you like it, have a dealer do a pre-purchase, and ask them to have one of their most GT-experienced guys on it. They’re fantastic cars.

What you should know: tires aren’t cheap and depending on how you drive you could wear them out under 10k miles. Brakes aren’t cheap and again can wear down quickly depending on how you drive, your mileage may vary from 10k-30k miles. Trans services aren’t cheap and should always be done on time by time/mileage. This isn’t a car that the average Joe should maintain themselves, it isn’t hard, but it’s finicky if you miss steps, and mistakes can be very expensive (like over-torqueing drain plugs). But variations of these engines have been used in a bunch of cars in the last 5 years and they’ve been very reliable for us. I’ve seen one transmission issue and a couple failed motor mounts. The trans was early in that car’s life and we ll within warranty so maybe just a fluke; they're greatly improved from the SLS version. The mounts were always on abused track cars with over 20k miles, most of those being track miles (think exotic rentals).

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/02/2020 at 14:22

I met him on a Corsa America rally in 2015. New York to Tampa. He has been on VinWiki, that’s all I’ll say.

Azrek > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/02/2020 at 15:03

Fantastic response, I appreciate it.

So the car would be a buy if I got a warranty (of quality) thrown in?

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Azrek
06/02/2020 at 15:55

As far as price, costs of stuff, and what you try to get thrown in... That’s for you to decide, pending a PPI. I have no idea what any car is worth, or what they’re worth to you. But from what I can see, it looks solid.