Mercedes Dealer or Indy as source for Car?

[Timechaser]

Hi All,

I currently drive a Mazda RX-8 and am looking to change to a CLK350 Sport Convertible. Although rare, I have two in my sights at the moment. One is a current demonstrator and will be sold to me by Merc themselves under the approved used scheme and the other one is a similar model with an indy dealer (and is costing me £1,000 less).

The one at Merc dealer is Silver with black leather, Satnav, CD Changer, telephone prep, AMG bodykit, Sports exhaust stuff etc. 7700 miles, current demonstrator, 06/06 on for £37K

the one at the indy is black with grey leahter, Satnav, CD changer, bluetooth telephone, rear airbags, Xenons, AMG Body kit, Sports exhaust stuff etc., 11,500 miles 2 owners (current one bought from merc dealer - ex demo) 06/06 for £36K

I LOVED the black, but am slightly confused about the experience I am going to get from these dealers.

Just wondering whether going through the Merc dealer himself is much better/any better than going through the indy, bearing in mind that both cars have over 2 years of warranty left on them and are pretty much identical in options (except Xenons, which I love having) compared with the lower mileage on the ex-demo.

The indy has promisd he will refurbish the alloys, repair a cracked fog lamp and put 2 new rear tyres. The Merc dealer has promised that he will make sure there isnt even a stone chip on the car, though no promises on the tyres etc. (which I actually expect would be in fairly good condition).

I am inclined to go with the merc dealer, just for peace of mind, but want him to either bring the price down or throw in some stuff - what can I ask for? I am thinking of a wind deflector... anything else?

Any help mucho appreciated!!!

Oh - and any pointers on what specifically to look out for in these cars? I have checked that all electrics work etc. etc.

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

Hi timechaser, try this one:

http://www.baynards.com/htm/3item.htm#start

this is where I bought my c240 from. I found them to be very good. I part-ex'd my Audi and they gave me more than twice what an Alfa dealer offered me. They also completely honoured their garantee when I had some problem with the car (not their fault). They also replaced bulbs that blew after I bought the car free of charge as well and the batteries in the remote fob AND gave me free number plates when I bought a new number plate holder and wanted plates without screw-holes in.

Their web-site looks pretty micky mouse but I would certainly recommend them. They sell some amazing cars. They just sold an AMG CLS55 for about £60k.

There is merit buying from MB as they will give you a years warantee but then they will charge you more for the car. I would say you are perfectly safe going to an Indy if you also get ServicePlus (the MB contract) which will cover you for all servicing and repair bills (unless you actually break something yourself). Baynards could probably arrange the MB inspection for you. They sell lots of Mercs and have all thier service work done at Tony Purslow MB in Guildford.

 

[Timechaser]

Thanks Neil

To clarify couple of points there - I am after a CLK350, not SLK and Baynards dont have one on their website. If they did, I would already have been in touch with them.

The cars I am buying are less than a year old so have 2+ years of warranty left on them, so the servicing/warranty issue is not that big a hassle.

Unfortunately, it is only this indy - PP Sales in Croydon and the Mercedes dealer in Romford who have the car I want! ****** rare that!

 

[television]

OK the Milage is low on both, the zenons was a £1k extra when new and has little effect on the price of the car secondhand.

Black is harder to keep clean though once again it is the in colour.

A one owner car is worth a little more than the other,as is the lower milage, be honest with the MB dealer and say that you have seen this other one, they may knock something off the price.
If the wheels need doing so soon,how was that car looked after ?

Malcolm

 

[Timechaser]

I dont know - and thats whats bothering me. Though given the parking situation in London underground car parks, kerbing is entirely possible!!! I have kerbed 3 of my 4 wheels on the current car, which is about a year old. Bodywork etc. otherwise is pristine, with not even a single stone chip!

All in all - I dont see much of a difference between the two cars, so basically the question is whether the £1,000 extra at the Merc dealer is worth it?

 

[Timechaser]

Ah well - discussion no longer needed. The indy just told me that the car has been sold - though he IS a bastard, coz I had to call to find out. Didnt have the decency to inform me.

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

sorry timechaser, that's what I get for looking on the forum when I'm supposed to be working . My apologies..., I really do need to concentrate on one thing or another (instead of neither, which is what I was doing when I read your original post it seems)

sorry about the other car. But it does seem to have made your mind up for you.

 

[Timechaser]

Yup, mind made up. Really want this car and dont want to lose another one! Dealer driving up to meet me in half an hour, so will report back!

Thanks
TC

 

[television]

Yup, mind made up. Really want this car and dont want to lose another one! Dealer driving up to meet me in half an hour, so will report back!

Thanks
TC

try and knock them down and say you will give them X as there are no xenons, or ask them to fit.

malcolm