Maybe this is a no brainer. I'd like your advice about a purchase I'm considering, between an early 06 E350 wagon versus a late 06 E350 sedan. I'm coming from a early 2001 W203 with manual transmission which I love, except for the frequent repairs. I'm on the market and found (at the local BMW dealer) an early 2006 mfg 5/05 E350 Wagon $32K, 27,500 miles. At a dealer about 90 miles away I've found a late 2006 mfg 6/06 E350 sedan, $32K, 20,000 miles.
Both have similar config, pretty much fully loaded, HK sound, dynamic seats (great!), nav, heated seats, etc. The wagon is a grey/grey (?) interior which looks nice. The sedan is stone aka beige which I'm not too excited about. The wagon warranty is up in 5/2009. The sedan is CPO until 6/2011 including the extra 12 months of CPO warranty. The only downside is that it's not a local dealer and the interior is stone aka beige which I swore I would never have again as it shows dirt way too easily. The exterior is a pretty beautiful Barolo Red.
I had the local dealer run a service history on the wagon. (I haven't seen the sedan report yet.) The wagon report wasn't complete since the car was bought somewhere else, but I saw about 10-12 items, all fixed under warranty, pulleys, etc. The sedan, according to CarFax has had a steering angle sensor replaced and "Engine/powertrain computer/module checked".
Am I crazy to think about an early 2006 when I have a late 2006 sedan with almost similar specs? When was the transition to no free service?
I also have to consider what kind of warranty service I'll get from the local dealer if I buy a Benz from a dealer an hour and a half away and expect to get it fixed locally under warranty. It's either get the sedan under warranty or shell out more money for a third party warranty for the wagon.
I'd appreciate your advice. I'm anxious to "grow up" and be part of the E class family!
The Sedan is actually at a lower price, since it includes about $2K for the CPO warranty and it has less miles. The fact that it is not a local dealer is not relevant since the CPO warranty will be honored at any MB dealership. I'd go for the sedan or get the wagon under $30K.
The Sedan is actually at a lower price, since it includes about $2K for the CPO warranty and it has less miles. The fact that it is not a local dealer is not relevant since the CPO warranty will be honored at any MB dealership. I'd go for the sedan or get the wagon under $30K.
Yep, the sedan is better priced when you consider the additional warranty coverage. I'm leaning towards the sedan and will probably go up and do a test drive today. Maybe I'll learn to live with the hard to clean "stone" interior.
I don't look at interior as "hard to clean" or "easy to clean", but as "hot" or "not as hot", but I live in the Southeastern USA where 100 degrees F days are the norm for the Summer.
Buy early 06 E350 wagon vs late 06 E350 sedan? 
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