Nearly New E320 CDi Estate - What to look for?

[happy jim]

Hi All,

After nearly 4 months of searching I think I've found the car I'm looking for! Right spec/price/milage. I've not seen it yet, that should happen within the next week, so before my heart overrules my empty head could you give me some "sensible" things to check for? (it's from a main dealer)

Stonechips on paint
Kerbed Wheels
Latest COMMAND DVD (any idea what version?)
errr????

Is there anything to check ref warranty/re-calls
I'll assume it hasn't had a service yet, in which case how much is the 1st service likely to be?

Thanks

Jim

{Edit} - Price left off, so feel free to play "guess the price" and I'll reveal the asking price in a day or so

Spec...

E320CDI AVANTGARDE ESTATE
IRIDIUM SILVER
BLACK LEATHER
PARKTRONIC
MEMORY DRIVERS SEAT
PHONE PREP
COMAND
REAR BENCH SEATS
HEATED FRONT SEATS
8000 MILES
2007 REG
07 PLATE

 

[Jensen]

If you don't mind me asking, how much are you paying?

 

[happy jim]

Shade under £30K (all over the phone so far though!)

Rgds

Jim

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Hi Jim,
Sounds like a very well specced car, just about the spec I would be looking for with the 211. I assume it has xenons, wouldn't be without them.

If the car is as it should be the price sounds pretty good. Not much room for haggling but one thing to consider is trying to get the dealer to throw in an extended warranty, well worth it according to what I've read on the forum.

By now the 211 is a pretty well sorted car and hopefully you will enjoy all the benefits that brings. By all accounts the V6 engine is every bit as good as the inline six and a little bit better in terms of refinement, so you are in for a treat.

Hope this helps!

 

[cj...]

sounds a nice car with seven seat option,even if you dont use them its good for re-sale value.
It will have xenons as standard as its an avantgarde.

 

[stumpy]

I would try and find out a bit about the history of the car. Why is such a well regared vehicle being sold on so soon into its life? The dealer may be able to provide records of trips to the workshop if any which should satisfy you as to whether the original owner got fed up trying to fix problems. It seems highly specced for a dealer demo, but then the car we rejected because it was dented at delivery was a 52k E320 Cdi which they put on the road as a demo. The only snag with these seems to be the 7 sp gearbox.

 

[happy jim]

Good Points, I'd not thought about those.

Extended Warranty.
Service visits.

Many Thanks

Jim

 

[jberks]

Its probably an MB fleet car. Mine was a similar age and the only name on the logbook was the adealer. The added benefit is that most dealer cars also have a tracker installed.
Deal does sound good.
I bought an extra 12 month warranty with mine to kick in when the 2 years remaining manufacturer's warranty expired, and I've just used it to get the esp fixed, so well worth having.
Do check it over thoroughly for any signs of accident damage or marks. The dealer will sort anything if you spot it and they have strict rules on tyre depths and servicing so allthat will depend on how close these jobs are.
I bought my previous E in the same way, but later discovered it have been repaired at some point so it may be worth getting the dealer to sign something to confirm that its never been painted in any way. Mine was fine, it just annoyed me that I'd gone to the trouble and expense of buying a nearly new car from a dealer and it still turned out to have had a new wing on it.

 

[happy jim]

Quick update.

Did the deal today and it now sits resplendant on my drive - As you'd expect I'm a very very happy bunny having had a pleasant drive back from Swindon and spent all afternoon pushing buttons and exploring everything. 1 book read 1 to go.

Many thanks for the advice

Jim

 

[230K]

Hi

Lovely car, soooooooooooooo jealous. Would suit me lovely.

Enjoy it keep us all posted how she behaves etc.

230K

 

[Rory]

it just annoyed me that I'd gone to the trouble and expense of buying a nearly new car from a dealer and it still turned out to have had a new wing on it.

That happens on brand-new cars.

When I worked for Ford someone sued a dealer as it became apparent that their "new" car had been repaired. The dealer won, as Ford said the car had been repaired to same standard as the car had been built and was therefore good as new.