Am I thinking straight? Buying an E Class
 

Just got word the other day that my 98 E Class has a failing transmission. Has about 150,000 on it. Have now got the new car bug and have been looking at 2008 E Class models. My question is that I find MB certified ones at about $34,000 to $35,000 with about 45,000 thousand miles or so on them. I also find non-certified ones ie. no warranty at about $26,000 to $28,000. One I am looking at has an impressive Car Fax report and is in the $26,000 range. Bottom line (or as it seems to me) is that the 100,000 mile warranty is costing me about $9,000. You can pay for a lot of repairs for that. I know its a gamble either way, but it just seems like thats a lot to pay for a warranty. The dealer tells me that the reason some cars are certified and some are not is that it allows a different price point. What do you think,
Guy

I think all the new cars are expensive if things fail - especially true of MBs, BMWs, and Audis. That's the $9000 differential. In this case, a good independent who can work on '08 models (are there any?) can minimize that $9000. I would either (a) buy the perfectly clean car for the $26,000 price (get it checked out before you write the check), or (b) find a lower-priced StarMark car and try to get the warranty.

Does the $9k warranty price tag for a mere 50k mile extension not dampen ones spirits for the car? Sounds positively crazy to me.

Does the trans have a symptom? Or did the dealer just "tell you so"?

I think you are right-on in the information and knowledge you have gained on the used cars you are considering. That information and knowledge is power.

Thanks to all of you for your responce . Concerning the transmission problem: I took it in to my indy due to some rough shifting which at times is very rough. He said that he could do transmission service for about $300 and I might luck out and it would be fixed. He didn't hold out a lot of hope for that working. Said 100,000 miles is the point at which tranny problems often start appearing. I have 150,000 so I guess I did OK.

Guy

I think a hard shift is much preferable to a flare.....

you could have a clog... or a dirty filter....

there might be some adjustment possible on a modulator as well....

155k should be nothing on the transmission...unless fluid changes were ignored.

we have never "lost" a transmission.... although we do tend to get rid of our cars at about 225k.

jmho

You wrote
<<I think a hard shift is much preferable to a flare.....


Excuse my ignorance, but what is a flare?

Guy

when the engine rpms climb rapidly when shifting..like you've revved the engine...

i.e
rpm at 1500...shifting from 3-4 tach jumps from 1500 to 2500 then settles back down to 1500 again...

......or more simply...... the transmission is slipping.

I think those trans should go over 200K. Mine has over 200K and is the same trans I think.

Guy, before giving up on your 1998 E320 change the transmission fluid and filter. That transmission requires the MB trans fluid and a dipstick tool to measure the fluid level. Best to have either a MB dealer, or a transmission shop intimately familiar with that transmission, perform the work.

If you have been taking your E320 to that indy for years ask him why he didn't recommend changing the transmission fluid & filter before 100,000 miles. The general consensus favors changing the transmission fluid & filter in that "lifetime fluid" transmission at least every 50,000 miles.

I'll have to pull my records to be sure but I am pretty sure transmission service was done about the 100,000 mile mark. Not sure about earlier transmission service since i didn't own the car until about 60,00 miles and I just assumed (I know assumptions are the mother of all screw ups) that the service was done. I had no service records. Will never buy another car without service records. Appreciate the education on transmission "flare". The tranny is definitely not doing that. The shift is rough, but when it shifts the tach drops down as would be expected. I appreciate the help all of you provide. As much as I have enjoyed the car the greatest joy has been discovering this website and the help and support of fellow Benz lovers.

Guy

Any 2008 model still has the original factory warranty if mileage is under 50K, so you must be describing even higher mileage cars in your "nonCPO" group.

So, there are a couple things that are "of course!"

1. Higher mileage equals lower resale price.

2. All warrranties are purchased and none are free.

NonCPO cars should be taken to a Mercedes dealer (or a really good, factory-trained independent) for a PPI (prepurchase inspection). CarFax is meaningless in comparison when judging a used car.

Note also regarding CPO: it's 100K miles OR one year, so it's probably NOT a 100k mile warranty if you're starting at 45k miles.

Lifetime?
 

Well, that's a bit outdated.

MB gave up on the lifetime fluid idea in 2004 or thereabouts and the recommendation became a fluid change every 39K miles. My 2008's service schedule calls for for the same.

If this car REALLY has never had a fluid change, it's time for a new mechanic.