Category: Mercedes Benz

Posted on

Tempting Test Drive – 2016 Mercedes AMG GT S

First, it’s important to get it out up front that I don’t test drive CarMax unicorns just for the hell of it and to get pix and video of me driving cool cars. It’s an abuse of the generous CarMax solo test drive opportunity and especially of the sales rep’s time. Those folks are just trying to make a living. And my favorite rep Si Sultan (now a manager) tells me people are taking these cars for 24 hours to record YouTube burnouts and even for prom dates. That ain’t right and hope they don’t ruin it for the rest of us. I will admit to driving cars that I have no intention of buying – that specific car – but I am trying to find out if that model is for me. If so, then I start looking for the specific car to purchase. I’ve done that with all four small SUV’s in the running and have settled on a Mercedes GLC43 AMG as the one for my wife and I, once we can find a properly equipped one. Anyway, I have always been intrigued by CarMax offering the Mercedes AMG GT S – as close as you’re going to get to a supercar from them. Was thinking it could be the successor to Etta, my 911, and although I just could not own a red-interior car, I needed to know if the AMG GT S was for me. So off we go.

So off we go. Nokes Blvd onto Route 28 North near Dulles, Virginia. Believe this was in “Sport” mode. Another disclaimer. When I drive and shoot videos with phone in hand they almost never turn out. I look at the road, not the phone, and hope I’m capturing something usable. These three are all that remain – the rest are all over the digital cutting room floor. I tried one in race mode, and quickly found out the car wasn’t going to shift gears without me and dropped the phone before I red lined the car and my ticker. Race mode is terrifying. Sport mode was fun, with rev-matching downshifts and burbling, gurgling noises at stop lights. But even Hyundai Velosters do that now. For the record I eased up considerably entering the main road – the end of this ramp is where the Virginia State Police hang out all the time.

Turned around and did the wonderful sweeper from Leesburg Pike onto Route 28 South. Yes I saw the CRV with the unending blinker and again backed off the throttle on the main drag. No videos here of me breaking the law…by much. Pretty sure this was in “Sport+” mode and yes it was more aggressive upshifts and cornering. But really I hardly pushed the envelope in this car. I’ve watched these race at the 24 Hours of Daytona for years now and they are really capable cars – beyond my talent level by far. Power comes from a twin-turbo 4.0 liter V-8 pumping 503 hp and if you’re good, a 3.5 second 0-60 mph run. The AMG GT S has been test driven at 195 mph – just not by me. My short bursts and twisties were still exhilarating.

And finally, just because, the AMG GT S in “Comfort” mode. A perfectly reasonable highway cruiser. Wish I had remembered to turn the radio on at some point but the howling motor was too intoxicating. Returned the car right on time.

The verdict? Yeah the car rocks and scratches almost every itch as a successor (for me) to my Porsche 911 Etta. The garish (to me) red leather is unpleasant but surprisingly, might not be a deal breaker. The deal breaker was the cramped (but awesome) interior. The leg room was acceptable for my 6’4″ 230 lb frame, and yet as with all two-seaters with not even a fake/unusable rear seat (think Boxster/Cayman and C7 Corvettes!), the seat back cannot be reclined at all, and the seat bottom can’t tilt back enough to give me a reasonably comfortable driving position. I sat ram-rod straight up and was uncomfortable after my short ride. I had been warned by an equally tall Mercedes AMG GT S owner that the car is not comfortable as a daily, and he was right. I’m out. The car sold new for maybe $150,000 five years ago and was selling for $77,998 and really with only 38,000 miles seemed “reasonable” to me given the level of performance. It’s currently unavailable but has been on and off the market, so track it here if you’re interested.

Posted on

A Puzzling CarMax Offering – 2014 Mercedes E63 AMG S RENNtech!

Saw this car on the web but I would have missed the significance had it not been for a text from one of my favorite readers, my CarMax coach, and a true CarMax unicorn collector – Mustafa. Otherwise, I would not have known this was a (W212) Mercedes E63 AMG S RENNtech! I’ve heard of RENNtech but hadn’t paid much attention to them. I get BMW and Alpina, but not RENNtech. Turns out RENNtech is the one and only Stuart, Florida based tuner created and owned by former AMG master Hartmut Feyhl. So…this is not a factory tuned E63 AMG? What it IS is a 679 hp and 749 ft. lb of torque race car posing as a family hauler. A “stock” E63 AMG S pumps 577 hp, for comparison.

Handcrafted by Stephan Durr – in my top ten AMG builder list! (I made that up)
Looks like any other E63 inside – although this allegedly has a Designo interior.

As far as I can tell this car was sold by Driving Emotions in Lake Park, Florida, less than an hour south of Feyhl’s RENNtech shop, with 43,500 miles on it, and sold again by SSC Sales in Pleasanton, California with 52,000 miles. The CarMax description of the car is drawn from their templates and doesn’t do it justice. Here’s what Driving Emotions posted when they sold the car:

2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG-S RENNtech!Black with Black Nappa Leather and Contrasting Silver Stitching Interior! Only 43,500 Miles! SHOWROOM CONDITION!! (The dealer must buy exclamation marks in bulk?) Loaded! Parktronic! Keyless Go! Silver Stitching! Silver Seat Belts! Panorama Sunroof! Rear View Camera! Carbon Fiber Trim! A/C & Heated Seats! Electronic Trunk Closer! AMG Red Brake Calipers! 679HP! & 749 ft. lb of Tq! Upgraded RENNtech Package! RENNtech Stainless Sport Mufflers! RENNtech Carbon Fiber Front Splitter! RENNtech Carbon Fiber Rear Diffuser! RENNtech Carbon Fiber Rear Deck Lid Spoiler! RENNtech Carbon Fiber Engine Air Box! AMG 19 10 Spoke Titanium Wheels! AMG Performance Steering Wheel! Illuminated Star in Front Grille! Black Ash Wood Interior Trim! Astonishing $102,595 MSRP! That MSRP is before the RENNtech upgrades, by the way! SSC claims the upgrade is valued at $20,000.

I’m curious why CarMax chose to include a trunk photo like this. Any ideas? Any of this stuff unusual? Nitro?

In all fairness, the only real visual cues that this is a RENNtech are the discrete badges on the front fenders and rear deck (not unlike my S600). And Mustafa is a third my age so of course he can spot stuff I can’t. That’s my story. Hard to tell how rare this car is or whether this price is good. RENNtech has a similar car offered on their website for $68,000. That said, this one is in fact a one accident car, something neither Driving Emotions or SSC acknowledged. CarMax shares the history. Also no idea what MaxCare would cost, but it’s a must. Find this four owner car here in Modesto, California.

Posted on

Quick Hit – Last of the CLS550 (W219) Shooting Brakes

CarMax generally carries cars up to 10 years back, so they tell me, although at this moment there are 124 of their 30,000 cars on lots that go back to 2009 – 12 model years’ old. None of them are European cars. There are another 249 2010 models at dealerships, of which a whopping 22 are European (sneak peak – here’s the link to a 2010 Mercedes CLS550 for only $23k coming soon!). And finally, 2011 models – now 10 years old, account for another 350 cars of the 30,000 – and only 39 of those are European. And truly really finally, 2011 was the last year for the lovely first generation Mercedes CLS550 (W219) “shooting brake”. Last year manufactured by Mercedes, and 2021 should be the last year offered by CarMax. A unicorn.

The CLS550 four door coupe is pretty much a more shapely E550 platform, with seating for four, and less room. I’ve been in them and in the E550’s and yes, the sloped roof intrudes on headroom. Everything else is the same, including the 382hp 5.5 liter V-8 that will still get you to 60mph in under five seconds. Not bad. Here’s a link to one of the last CLS550’s I covered – has all the performance info you need!

This 2011 model is selling for $27,998 – pretty high if you ask me even thought it only has 42,000 miles. No auto cruise control but most other luxury features included. Most of the CLS550’s of this era were selling for significantly less at CarMax, including this nice one for only $19,998 just a month ago. MaxCare going to run another $3-5k. But this 2011 CLS550 is a two-owner accident free car from New England, and you can see it here. If it were a CLS63……?

Posted on

Very Quick Hit – 2010 Mercury Grand Marquis LS. Like New Panther.

Sample photo “borrowed” from the web. Photos aren’t yet available for this car.

Many thanks to Hans for bringing this car to my attention this morning. Would normally wait for photos (and will update when available) but this unicorn may not be around that long. And I don’t quite get it, but when I post about Ford-Lincoln-Mercury Panther line cars readers go batshit. My blog stats skyrocket, especially when linked to David Fesz’s Unique Cars 2.0 Facebook page (check it out). This post on the final year cars is unmatched. The Panther line hadn’t been updated in years and expired in 2011. The V-8 makes four cylinder power and six cylinder torque. But is has a bench seat and folks love it as a comfortable, reliable highway cruiser. Here’s why this one rocks:

Only 16,000 miles in eleven years! And it’s less than $16,000. The car sold new for almost $30,000. AND as you can see CarMax is offering the MaxCare warranty for another 134,000 miles until the car is sixteen years old. Not sure MaxCare is even needed given this car’s bullet proof history, but why not? Here’s the cost and coverage options for this car:

Again, a borrowed photo until the real ones are available but suspect it looks like this inside. Gold over tan car, with golf clubs in the trunk and blazers hanging from a rear seat coat hook bar would make me feel so retired. Here’s the link to this two owner, accident free family sedan currently in Knoxville, Tennessee. Enjoy.

Posted on

Quick Hit – Bargain Benz. $29,998 ML63 AMG

There’s a lot to like about this 2011 Mercedes ML63 AMG unicorn. Of course I have to start with the hand built 503 hp, 6.2 liter V-8 motor. A certain unidentified reader (we’ll call him Hans) who has another Mercedes with this same powertrain said it sounds like God gargling. Love it. When new, it sold for almost $100,000. This 2011 ML63 is sorta nearly new with only 37,000 miles on it – not even broken in over 10 years. The last ML63 I covered in January here was a 2013 model with more miles and more price. Me thinks this 2011 is not a bad deal. Buy MaxCare with the savings.

God is also thirsty, and this motor will guzzle gas – 11 mpg city, 15 highway, and 12 combined. Takes a lot to move a nearly 5,100 pound SUV. Stick to the highway. Or some light offroading since the ML63 is also AWD. But with the seven speed automatic the vehicle will do sub-5 second 0-60 mph runs, gas be damned.

The SUV is fully loaded with auto cruise control, read DVD system, heated and air conditioned seats, and even a tow hitch. Love the gray over tan colors. My wife thinks tan interiors look cheap. I think they look rich. My S600 has a tan interior. I win. Find this three owner SUV here in Hillside, Illinois.

Posted on

Quick Hit – This Spud’s for You! Nice White CLS550 in Boise for $19,998

Interrupting my drive west (see below!) to bring you another “shooting brake” unicorn courtesy of CarMax! Nearly identical to the 2011 model found here in November – same price, almost same mileage. But this one’s a 2010, and still amazes me that bumper to bumper MaxCare coverage is still a bargain for an 11 year old Mercedes. It’ll be 16 years old before it runs out of warranty.

The interior of this four door “coupe” is stylish for its day and seats just four. Not for everyone. It has a Harman Kardon audio system, Bluetooth, adjustable suspension, sunroof….and not much else. Pretty basic as Mercedes go, and yet it’s got more charm than a basic family sedan. Plus it’s got a 382 hp 5.5 liter Mercedes V8 that’ll do sub-5 second 0-60 mph and run forever. Once a $70,000 car this single owner, low mileage, accident free Idaho car is still a bargain at $19,998. It’s here in Boise.

Continue reading “Quick Hit – This Spud’s for You! Nice White CLS550 in Boise for $19,998”
Posted on

My First 24 Hour Test Drive – To The Brink (Again) with an S65 Coupe

2015 Mercedes S65 AMG.

Finally took advantage of the CarMax 24 hour test drive after returning from the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. How fitting. I had transferred this 2015 Mercedes S65 AMG unicorn up from Sanford, Florida, where coincidentally my S600 and I left Florida from on the Amtrak auto train last week after the race. Surely these are omens I should buy the car? I also lucked out – this is the car I considered last fall when it was on the west coast. Transfer was a back breaking $2,000 to the east coast. Someone moved it from California to Florida over the holidays without buying, and my transfer from Florida to Virginia was only $149. I had originally planned to test drive the car before the race, but when I showed up at my CarMax to complete the paperwork to drive, they ran the S65 through their car wash to prep the car for me – and promptly slashed two tires. Because they were on the same side of the car it meant all four tires would need to be replaced, and these performance tires are special order. Yes, I started to become suspicious that something was up.

A week later though I picked up the car with minimal fuss at the dealership and put it in my driveway. There was a brief hiccup when CarMax wanted my insurance “binder” indicating my coverage limits, and not just my proof of insurance card. Believe this was due to the high cost of the car – $84,998. That’s a helluva lot of money – what was I thinking? Well, as with my V-12 mania last fall, I was working on a plan to sell all my cars and try to live with one stupid expensive wundercar. Driving to CarMax to pick up the S65 for the test I thought this is a dumb idea. When I saw them polishing it up for me I wavered. Driving it home and seeing it in my driveway I had to have it. YOLO. So what were my experiences over the 24 hours? My CarMax rep had told me of customers borrowing cars for 24 hour test drives and recording themselves drifting and doing burnouts, so I thought I should drive the car the way I would if I owned it. Some quick shots.

First, I needed some lunch. Turned out to be an historic stop for me. Been to many McDonalds. None like this.
Within minutes into my test drive this song came on the radio. Another omen?
Also within the first few minutes, got an engine alert. I’m reading this as there’s too MUCH oil in the V-12?
Brief punch of the gas. I won’t be that guy racing my test drive. I won’t. Regret I couldn’t pull off video of downshifts in Sport mode, with rev matching and pops and bangs and faux backfires. My wife hated that. It made me giggle. Not saying I wouldn’t enjoy that sound once in a while but I would NEVER do it around real car people.
The car as shown in the CarMax ads was debadged. I didn’t like that. CarMax graciously acquired and mounted new ones. I’m not convinced the font is right but no time to compare it to others. Didn’t get to see it, but my wife tells me the Mercedes logo pops open to reveal the rear view camera. She thought I broke it.
I wondered if this car could accommodate luggage for road trips. With the back seat difficult to access I need to be able to throw bigger bags in the trunk. One large suitcase and one carryon loaded just fine. Same as in my S600.
Service B is the big one, due in less than five months. Thinking I should negotiate having this done before buying. Nice that this info is available to the buyer.
The interior is lovely. I spent the first half hour figuring out how everything works. The aromatherapy diffuser in the glove box was missing. Would have to be replaced. I realize this same interior is available in vanilla S-class cars for tens of thousands of dollars less than an S65, but you don’t get this 621hp V-12. Oh yeah, the center console pad and door armrests heat. Awesome.
Six different pre-programmed seat massage settings. I tried them all.
Style.
An irritant the first time – impossible to see the headlight controls without getting out of the car and poking your head under there, like looking at my Fiat fuse box. Once set on auto no need to revisit. Nuisance.
The car has a different personality from every angle. More sinister snout up front.
More elegant from here. One issue I have with Mercedes is that the E and S coupes looks surprisingly alike.

Should I buy or not? Yeah, I was all over the place during my 24 hour test drive. Not literally, CarMax limits travel to 150 miles. I started with “that’s a lotta money” and struggled with the idea of spending $84,998 on a car – with tax and MaxCare looking at $95,000. (By the way – the MaxCare choices below cost LESS than they did for my S600!) This would be a once in a lifetime buy. However, the 24 hour drive had me thinking more and more that this was not a practical plan. The S65 would be an awkward car to have as a daily driver. It can handle a suitcase and a half, and yet what about my guitars and amp when I play at a brewery? Can I throw a couple of boxes in the back seat every now and then? I loved Etta, my 911, because I also have the S600 as my utility vehicle. I could not imagine persuading my wife this S65 would be my sole daily driver, my dream car, and having to tell her a month later I need a Macan to go with it. I’ve also enjoyed putting miles on my cars. My 911 cost less than $40,000 out the door and I recovered $30,000 three years later when I sold. The S600 also cost less than $40,000 two years ago and I hope to sell it for about the same as the 911. This 2015 sold new for $237,000 I think and is now $84,998 with 39,000 miles on it. How much more depreciation in three years, when it’s nine years old and has maybe 75,000 miles? I could see a $30-40,000 loss. I got into this unicorn game to bag deeply depreciated cars, limit my exposure with MaxCare, and not lose my shirt. Not feeling it.

Oh yeah, another perk of cars retaining data – look at the mileage over the lifetime of this car! I get 19 mpg in my S600. Granted this car appears to be more of a commuter car given the low average speed.
Guess what came on the radio as I completed my 24 hour test drive? Another omen.
Went for a run. Mulled it over. Thumbs down on the 2015 S65.

I turned the car in with nothing more than a toss of the keys to the friendly CarMax rep and a pleasant “sorry the car’s not for me.” The 24 hour test drive is a big hit with me. So much more learned over a ten minute loop around the dealership. I’m fairly convinced I need to pick up a small SUV (Macan Turbo, GLC43 AMG, X3 M40i, SQ5) and scratch the functional itch, and then pursue the successor to the 911 I just sold. I became infatuated with this S65 because I dig V-12’s and the car became available, not because it makes sense for me. And I can probably nail a small, loaded enthusiast SUV AND a daily driver 911 (991) for a little more than the price of this S65 alone. Finally, the day after I turned in the S65 we got hit fairly hard with a snow storm on the east coast and I needed to drive to New Jersey to see my son and watch the Super Bowl. Didn’t think twice about loading the “old” S600 and cruising up I-95, with a couple of end tables in the back seat for him. The 10 year old V-12 is still a bargain and still fits my lifestyle. But maybe the 2015 S65 fits yours?

On Sunday February 7th the S65 went back on the market at Dulles, Virginia, and today (8th) it’s off. It’s been on and off since fall. Someday someone will buy it. I’ll update if it returns! Stock number 19513486.
The MaxCare menu I promised. Not easy to read. The best plan (for me) is always maximum mileage, 125,000 in this case which would give me 85,000 miles of driving, and $50 deductible – waived if serviced at CarMax. At $5,879 for a car of this complexity and expense that seems like a no brainer.
Posted on

Quick Hit – Mercedes ML63 AMG and ML550 (And Last Mercedes Post For a Bit!)

I’ve run out of patience with CarMax for this post, and despite this being the third and fourth Mercedes covered in a row I gotta get it done. A very affordable badass Mercedes ML63 and an even more affordable and well equipped ML550 have been on and off the CarMax website for days, and I have been unable to catch them on the web on the same day for a post – so here it is anyway. Let’s start with the ML63 AMG, even though it’s not currently available I have not gotten the CarMax update that it’s gone.

This 2013 ML63 AMG (I think) was offered for $35-37,000. Fairly loaded with auto cruise control (Distronic Plus), seat massagers, heated and air conditioned seats, upgraded Bang & Olufsen audio – there’s a lot of luxury in the cabin. On the outside some slick running boards and black wheels. But that’s not why you want this SUV.

You want the ML63 because of its hand built, 5.5 liter 518 hp AMG motor. That, along with AWD and an adjustable suspension turn this family hauler into an SUV racer. Motor Trend turned a 4.8 second 0-60 mph run. And it’s got a tow hitch, if you need to ring along your cigarette boat. Admittedly, this SUV is a one accident vehicle, that drives down the price. But it sold new for just under $100,000 and is now a third that. Find this three owner 2013 Mercedes ML63 AMG here in Kansas City, Missouri. Hope it comes back on the market!

Continue reading “Quick Hit – Mercedes ML63 AMG and ML550 (And Last Mercedes Post For a Bit!)”
Posted on

Quick Hit – 2010 Mercedes CL550. A Cheaper Alternative to Yesterday’s CLS63?

What a beautiful silhouette.

The Mercedes CL-class became the S-coupe in 2014, but it’s the same premise; an S-class from the (missing) B-pillar forward in every way. The 2010 CL coupe is the same as my 2010 S-class (S600) for the driver and passenger. At $24,998 there’s a ton of luxury in this unicorn at a bargain price. Again, room in the wallet for MaxCare I would not do without. Thanks to reader Cannon for alerting me to this beauty.

The CL550 has automated cruise control (Distronic Plus), air conditioned and heated seats, seat massagers, a heated steering wheel, AWD, and the cool (but totally unnecessary) night vision assist. CarMax gives it a 9 out of 10 on the features and yet I cannot think of what it does not have.

Okay, it doesn’t have a rear seat to speak of, similar to the CLS63 I covered yesterday. It’s about the driver and passenger. It has a filthy engine bay (shame on you CarMax) with a 5.5 liter V-8 that makes only 382 hp – adequate but not even close to the 500+ in the CLS63 AMG. But not everyone is a horsepower hog like me and most will find this plenty good for a luxury cruiser. The CL550 is a unique alternative to the CLS63, and $13,000 cheaper! Find this two owner, accident free car here in Fort Bend, Texas.

Posted on

Quick Hit – 2012 Mercedes CLS63 AMG – $37,998

Going to keep this short since CarMax unicorns keep showing up and disappearing on their website faster than I can get to them. What we have here is a low mileage (40,000) 2012 Mercedes CLS63 for a really decent price. Leaves spare change for mandatory MaxCare. It sold new for maybe $95,000 and maybe more. I cannot tell if it has the far more expensive Performance Package – the red calipers suggest it might. What say ye, readers?

For $38k you get a luxury four door, four passenger coupe with a 5.5 liter, 518 hp turbocharged motor, adjustable suspension, and auto cruise control (Distronic Plus). Perfect for stop light launches and highway cruising. Car and Driver claims a crazy 3.8 second 0-60mph run here. But wait! There’s more!

The car is pretty much the same as an E63, although the coupe design limits interior room a bit. But it has seat massagers, heated and air conditioned seats, blind spot monitors, lane departure, rear view camera, and Bluetooth. Not bad. Hard to go wrong with a car like this! I like gold cars – reinforces the idea of “driving rich”! Find it here in Irvine, California.

Proudly powered by WordPress