advice needed: buying certified - Benzworld.org

ajm0623 · 06-21-2008, 12:53 PM

i am thinking about buying for myself as a second auto a used CERTIFIED 02 g500 from my local benzo dealer where i've bought all my benzos. i've always liked the rough and tumble look of the gwagen and since they have one on the lot i thought i'd look in to buying it on a serious basis.

the car is certified which gives me 12m and up to 100k miles of additional warranty; the truck now has 45,000 miles - so i wouldn't get anywhere near 100k in one year's time but there is some peace of mind buried in that. QUESTION: does the certified status give me the same coverage (bumper to bumper) like the original warranty imparts?

QUESTION: have you ever bought a certified benzo from a dealer - and if so - were there any issues where the dealer refused to fix something under the guise of "that's not covered?" i never have bought used - always bought new - so am interested in your opinions. furthermore, i thought since it is certified and from the dealer that most likely it is in good shape and won't leave me stranded? i've searched this very informative forum and understand the myriad of problems with the 02 - but think i should find comfort in the "certified" status and the fact that there is relatively low miles (avg 7,500/yr) on the gwagen.

any thoughts on the above? please tell me where i have erred in my thinking!! thanks in advance. cheers.

mr.xpowerseller · 06-21-2008, 05:10 PM

Avoid it. An 02 is not something you want to own, unless you like making good friends with the service department. After one year you will be on your own and be paying for their lunch at $125/hour.

4tuneit1 · 06-21-2008, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.xpowerseller

Avoid it. An 02 is not something you want to own, unless you like making good friends with the service department. After one year you will be on your own and be paying for their lunch at $125/hour.

Your clockwork response @ the opportunity to dis on 02' G wagens... Funny and I can set a watch to it.

Andyman746 · 06-22-2008, 03:16 PM

I just bought an 04 certified 3 months ago. Though there are no major problems, the car is going in for the second time for rattles and sunroof problems.

I would ask the dealer for their service reports on the car to see what it went in for prior.

I thought i received a pretty good deal even though it was from the dealer(6k off sticker/kbb private party price). But i think right now is a good time to buy considering the gas increases. I was getting calls from other dealers after i bought my G with really good deals. Def worth it to buy at the end of the month.

Hope this helps
Andy

mr.xpowerseller · 06-22-2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4tuneit1

Your clockwork response @ the opportunity to dis on 02' G wagens... Funny and I can set a watch to it.

Here come the fan-boys!

DirectLA · 07-01-2008, 12:37 PM

While not a G-Class I can comment on the dealer service for a Certified Pre-Owned Mercedes. I have never had them turn down an item that was listed as covered, and for my car the only things not covered were basically the stereo and everyday maintenance issues. They even covered "troubleshooting" items that didn't solve the original issue right away. I would think it's in the interest of dealers to cover whatever they legally can because they charge this cost, labor fees to Mercedes and makes more money for their shops. Dealerships, as you may know, aren't "owned" by the manufacturers, they are essentially distributors for their products. One of the dealerships I visited actually told me, "bring it in for ANYTHING you can find that needs fixed while it's under warranty, you paid a premium for it after all." That's rare!

ajm0623 · 07-01-2008, 01:13 PM

thanks to you all who provided (relevant) replies; i do appreciate it. these forums are so valuable! i am getting a lot more comfortable in understanding these machines and the nature of a cpo auto. alas, i passed on the certified 02 i referred to in my original post primarily due to the fact that later years have more creature comforts as standard (tilt/telescope wheel, rear parking sensors, etc) than do the 02s. so my quest continues for an 03 or later. thanks again!

mr.xpowerseller · 07-01-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajm0623

thanks to you all who provided (relevant) replies; i do appreciate it. these forums are so valuable! i am getting a lot more comfortable in understanding these machines and the nature of a cpo auto. alas, i passed on the certified 02 i referred to in my original post primarily due to the fact that later years have more creature comforts as standard (tilt/telescope wheel, rear parking sensors, etc) than do the 02s. so my quest continues for an 03 or later. thanks again!

Why don't you just wait for the 09 with the all the newest updates and get that?

ajm0623 · 07-01-2008, 02:37 PM

yeah - i thought about that ,,, but the reality is i really don't want to spend $90,000 on this thing (after i just dropped $100,000 last year on the s550). i figure if i can get into a decently maintained truck (with the benefit of the cpo warranty) for 1/2 the price of new then that would be good enough for me for a second vehicle just to piss around in.

**Musikmann** · 07-01-2008, 04:13 PM

I bought a 2001 CPO E320 and paid to extend to 24 months total. They never told me anything for which I took it in was not covered (except of course for routine wear items). I have a new COMAND/NAV because CDs were not ejecting properly and an analog to digital Tele-Aid upgrade due to a minor phone issue. Those 2 items alone would have cost me over $6000. There was also a squeak in the steering that required R/R rack and pinion and re-alignment. I don't know what that job was worth, but it took several hours of labor.

I think the only difference between the new car warranty and the CPO one is MB does not pay for living expenses when we're out of town and diabled on CPO. If my experience means anything, I highly recommend the MB CPO program.