Mercedes Benz – Page 9 – The Carmax Unicorn Blog

June 5, 2019

Quick Hit – Fastest (Rare) Wagon Ever? – 2018 Mercedes E63 S for $92k

E63 CarMax had a Mercedes E63 wagon for sale last month for $70,000 or so that came and went so fast I couldn’t write about it. This 2018 E63 S is a bit more pricey at $91,998 and fortunately (for me) it’s lingered for a week or so. This wagon is spectacular on every level. Twin turbo 4.0 liter V-8 pumps out 603hp, nine speed automatic, good for a 3 second 0-60 mph time and a 180mph top speed. All wheel drive. Distronic auto cruise control. Automated parking. I could go on and on.

Only a couple of hundred make it to the US. Here’s the gushing Car and Driver review. Or the equally exceptional Jalopnik review. Everybody loves this car. It’s a single owner car, still under manufacturer warranty, so not sure I’d spring for MaxCare. It sold for maybe $130-140,000 last year and is now available for $91,998 here in Los Angeles. 2018 E63S $91998 15k LA

March 21, 2019March 21, 2019

Quick Hits – Three Decent Mercedes S550’s – And Spyshot of Rare S550 Igloo!

2009 S550 34

CarMax usually has plenty of Mercedes S550’s that meet my unicorn standards ($35,000 or less, 60,000 miles or less) so I don’t cover them much. But this low budget model, and two low priced, low mileage S550’s caught my eye. I love the ride of the S600 I just bought, but not everyone wants a gas guzzling V-12. These S550’s – especially the 2012 – will get you the luxury ride and still have plenty of oomph. The 2009 S550 above is a bit of a bargain, although it did have a rear impact accident six years ago. Find the 2009 model here in Tampa. 2010 SIDE

The 2009 S550 and this 2010 “only” have 382 hp, and that should be enough to cruise the interstates. The 2010 is a bit pricey at $32,998, but it has a stupid low 12,000 miles – Continue reading “Quick Hits – Three Decent Mercedes S550’s – And Spyshot of Rare S550 Igloo!”

March 16, 2019February 10, 2026

Update – My S600 Unicorn Checks Out Surprisingly Well With PPO*

S600 side Always important to get an independent assessment of CarMax unicorns, as I’ve always maintained one should treat buying from them like buying from a private owner. Despite their claims of in depth inspections of the cars they sell, the reality is they do little before the sale but are great at making things right afterwards. So this week I had my 2010 Mercedes S600 that I just bought thoroughly looked at with a PPO (*Post Purchase Inspection in my case) at by Euro Motorcars in Germantown, Maryland – where Service Advisor Zach Baum and Mercedes guru John Heflin are highly regarded by the Greater Washington Section of the Mercedes Benz Club of America. Turns out Zach also has a CarMax unicorn – a Mercedes C63 AMG and has also leveraged the excellent MaxCare warranty!

Bottom line – no drama. The S600 I bought was previously a Mercedes Certified Previously Owned vehicle, and the previous owner had a pre-paid maintenance plan. The car was regularly serviced and yes, had the normal amount of high end repairs done during its nine years and 45,000 miles – ignition coils, motor mounts, and Active Body Control (ABC). For now, the only issues with this purchase are a missing key FOB (CarMax replacing), dirty floor mats (CarMax cleaning), and shrieking wiper blades (also on CarMax). Knock on wood, but after almost 2,000 miles and a PPO this may be the best of the three unicorns I’ve purchased so far!

Guenther

March 13, 2019

Quick Hit – First Gen Mercedes CLS63 AMG for $26,998 – Raucous 507hp Sedan

2010 CLS63 The last year for the first generation Mercedes CLS (W219) was 2010, and with that the first generation CLS63 AMG. The design was so fresh when it came on line in 2004 and critics thought it was dated six years later. I loved it then and love it now, but only 2,135 CLS’ were sold in the US in 2010. Gotta believe not many of those were the $121,000 AMG models – makes it a bit rare.

The base CLS had a 380 hp V-8, and the CLS63 here is powered by a massive, naturally aspirated 6.3 liter, 507 hp V-8. This unicorn has auto cruise control, adjustable suspension, heating and cooling seats, and really cool race car pedals! Find this two-owner, low mileage car here in Irvine, CA. It’s not transferable, but some dealerships (like the one near me at Dulles) have special authorities and can get it moved. 2010 CLS 63 $26,998 34k Irvine CA

February 27, 2019

My Third Unicorn – Finally Scored an S600!

S600 side Here’s the reason I haven’t blogged recently. Been stalking another car. Only took me a year plus to stop rueing the S600 I passed up in order to buy Etta, my 911 unicorn. To do that, I had to buy an S600. Here’s the story of the 2008 Mercedes S600 that I transferred in from Nevada in December only to have my local CarMax dealer decline to sell it due to a dying transmission. Was pretty pissed, but two weeks ago this 2010 S600 with 45,000 miles surfaced in Lancaster, PA – two hours north of me, and although it was $8,000 more it is nicer (the 2010 model is a facelift refresh with a few more electronic gizmos) and it is now mine.

The 2010 Mercedes S600 sold for about $160,000 new, and I picked it up for less than a quarter of that with a five-year MaxCare warranty good for 125,000 miles. The V-12 beast has 510 hp, 612 ft-lbs of torque, and rips a mid-four second 0-60 mph run. Here’s a review of the 2010 S-class, including the S600 in Car and Driver from back then.

My initial thoughts after a 300 mile run to North Carolina last weekend – the most comfortable 300 mile sprint I’ve ever made – are simple. The car rides like a spa, on living room furniture, in a bank vault, on a bullet train. Five feet of leg room is plenty. Continue reading “My Third Unicorn – Finally Scored an S600!”

February 4, 2019February 2, 2019

Quick Update – My Mercedes S600 Sequel (Part III?)

As I wrote here, the bargain 2008 Mercedes S600 I transferred in from the West Coast went missing – first incorrectly told the car was accidentally sold in Ohio (an honest mistake – CarMax goofed and shipped an Audi S6 in from the same dealer for me, and that car was relayed to Ohio and sold) then advised the S600 had a failing transmission and would not be sold at all. I was skeptical. Thought for sure a CarMax employee pulled it from inventory for personal purchase. At $22,998 it was a steal. But I have confirmed the car was sold to a wholesaler and is out there somewhere. So a faithful blog reader (who is a far better sniper than I – he also found the first S600) scored me another one in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It’s new (2010), nicer, but more expensive at $30,998. I think I’m in. CarMax transferred it to my local Dulle dealer…..and maybe a hiccup already. The ABS light is on, so they sent it to a Mercedes dealer who needs two weeks to fix. CarMax assures me it will be mine when it returns. I’ll be watching. Hoping to make up for the first one I passed on in 2017 – although pleased that a blog reader bought it! 2010 S600 $30,998 46000 Lancaster

January 17, 2019

Quick Hits – Three Old School Merc Unicorns; Cheap E550/S550/SL550

Here’s three cheap 11 year old Mercedes unicorns, all different rides although powered by the same 5.5l 382 hp powerplant, and all in their own way be a hoot to own and drive. Reliable E550 family sedan, JR Ewing SL550 drop top, and a luxobarge S550 each for the price of a Honda. And with MaxCare, no high unexpected repair bills. What’s not to like? Check them out below.

Sorry only one outside shot of the SL550 on the CarMax page so far, so the interior will have to do. But this is a hard top convertible loaded with seats that heat, cool, massage, and serve up cappuccino. Great Bose stereo (used to own a Merc with one!) and the sport package. This Car and Driver review from 2007 called the car “Very entertaining for a car so aloof in the city.” Driven about 5,000 miles yearly this car is just getting broken in, and seems like a decent ride for $22k. Find this 2008 Mercedes SL550 here in Tacoma. If the link is broken the car is sold, on hold, or being transferred. 2008 SL550 $21,998 54k Tacoma

Continue reading “Quick Hits – Three Old School Merc Unicorns; Cheap E550/S550/SL550”

January 7, 2019

S600 Update – Not Accidentally Sold After All…..

…..but still not mine. After days of busting chops, CarMax tells me the 2008 Mercedes S600 V-12 was not accidentally sold in Ohio, but was deemed not sellable to customers due to a really bad transmission. I found it on the Dulles lot last week. I have asked a number of times why CarMax went ahead and completed a Virginia State inspection (see sticker below) after the car was deemed not sellable, but no response. They tell me it’s going to a wholeseller. Asked for documentation confirming it went, but no response. Until I verify that, I’m still suspicious this car is going to a CarMax insider. It was a bargain at $22,998 and 44,000 miles. They refunded my $899 transfer fee and have offered to ship another car from anywhere for free. No S600 has been that cheap – and there have only been three – in the two years I’ve tracked CarMax. Will be hard to match. And if I see this S600 sold to an individual and not a wholeseller I’m going to flip out on them! And I will know where this car goes.

January 1, 2019February 10, 2026

CarMax “Loses” Another Car? My S600 is Missing! Help?!

Sorry – didn’t blog in December because I was working on another unicorn. A blog reader pointed me to a 2008 Mercedes S600 for $22,998. A bargain V-12, with night vision, auto cruise control, and every feature imaginable. I paid almost $900 to transfer in from Las Vegas. Been waiting….and yesterday CarMax Dulles Sales Manager informs me THEY ACCIDENTALLY FORGOT TO RECEIVE IT PROPERLY, TRANSFERRED IT TO OHIO, AND SOLD IT!!! I don’t believe it for a second. This also happened to a 2014 BMW 550i that was highly optioned and $5,000 below comps. The sales manager’s email suggested he wanted to offer a “potential solution” but haven’t heard from him since. Welcome thoughts from readers on how best to work this with CarMax – there have only been three S600’s offered by CarMax in the last two years. May be awhile until another comes in. There is a 2010 on Autotrader…..maybe CarMax should buy it for me?

November 2, 2018February 10, 2026

$12,000 Price Reduction on Mercedes CL63 AMG – WTF?!

Was tracking this 2012 Mercedes CL63 AMG for no good reason, since its price tag far exceeded my $35,000 cap for unicorns (I set that figure after rigorous calculations when I bought Etta, my 911 – the calculation being “what’s the most I can pay for a used car without my wife leaving me?”). The car was listed at $56,998 and languished for maybe a week. Wish I had access to data on when cars were first listed. Any readers able to do that? Yesterday I got an alert that the price on this car was reduced $12,000. I was sure it was an error but it was not. The price is now $44,998. I do not know if someone had bought the car at $56k they would have been a sucker, or if it is now a bargain at $44k. Still outta my range. I also got another alert that one of my unicorns had dropped $2,000. Cars usually only get reduced $1,000 at a time. I have a theory more reductions are coming and if I get time this weekend will share.

For now, have some fun looking at this big, beautiful coupe, really a two-door S-class. Just like the CL550 I wrote about recently, all the car I need – luxurious and large from the driver’s seat forward without an S550 butt behind. There’s controversy on how much more performance vs stiff ride and noise do you get from a CL63 (with a 5.5 liter V-8 536hp and 590 ft-lbs of torque) vs a CL550 (4.6 liter V-8 with 429hp and 516 ft-lbs of torque). For me, I’ll take horsepower any day of the week. The AMG is not that harsh. All you need to know from this Car and Driver review back in 2012, “Let’s just cut straight to the chase. This deceptively demure execu-coupe weighs more than 4800 pounds and can sprint to 60 mph in four seconds. That would be four seconds flat. The CL63 AMG enters triple-digit speeds in 8.8 seconds, trips the quarter-mile lights in 12.3 seconds at 121 mph, attains 150 mph in less than 20, and maxes out at 190 mph, whereupon its governor says, “Das ist genug.” And it has my mandatory night vision assist. Love it. By the way, this two-owner car sold for at least $150,000 new and probably closer to $175,000 in New Jersey back in the day. If this car is for you, please, please buy the MaxCare warranty – this one ain’t going to be cheap to repair when things go wrong. Find it discounted here in Fairfield, California. If the link is dead it’s sold, on hold, or being transferred.

2012 Mercedes CL663 $44k 35k Fairfield CA $12k Reduction