Tips for buying from an independent dealer

[Herishi]

Have you thought about putting a "Wanted Advert" on the forum?

You never know your luck...

Good idea, I've placed an ad.

 

[gIzzE]

I need to look at these, esp as I use my iPhone for playing music, ipod control and track listing is a bit of a must at some point.

what is the newer comand called?

If you want to do all that be careful, it starts to get very expensive to add it later.

You need a media interface for around £500 and then you need to code it properly, your choice is comandonline really, so you will be looking at another £150 or so.


In all honesty, as much as I prefer oem radios, I would put in a decent unit from Pioneer or Alpine now. They make even the latest Mercedes offering look very poor.
Plus the way you can customise the illumination, background colours and fonts etc. makes them blend nicely.


Forget power tailgate, biggest pain in the **** ever imho, had it on my last 3 cars and was so relieved when we found an X3 without it.

 

[Herishi]

Yeah im not too fussed about the tailgate i have looked at 3rd party HU's before but not found one that works seamlessly with the car display and controls, esp considering the mb displays heading and nav instructions from the HU

 

[gIzzE]

They will work with the controls, but no the cluster, however......I always have the cluster showing my MPG etc. and never showing the track playing or nav arrows.

Alpine were talking about releasing their Perfect Fit unit for the E Class, they have done it for the ML and the Vito so far, and that does do it all.

I had the regular version of that in my ML and that was great, but the new Pioneer X3700 Dab unit I have in there now I am really pleased with too.

 

[gIzzE]

Should just add, unlike on some cars, when you remove the oem head unit you don't loose other features like obc etc. from the cluster.

And if you went for a big 7 or 8" screen it could look pretty good.

6" can look a little lost...

 

[bozmandb9]

My top tips for buying from independent dealers are;

1. Decide to buy an aftermarket warranty on the car (I use Warranty Direct, and have found them excellent, including claims).
2. Get the car inspected (I get Warranty Direct to inspect it, they charge around £75, sometimes it's compusory anyway in order to activate cover, but I get it done pre-purchase).
3. I use the fact that I'll be putting a warranty on the vehlicle as leverage on the negotiations. Most dealers will make at least £1,500 on each car (if they're going to stay in business). However this can quickly disappear when something goes wrong and they have to rectify it.

If you live a significant distance from a dealer, then this strategy is even better, since you're unlikely to want to take it back to them for a minor fault. It's about aligning interests, they want to sell the car, and they want a no-hassle sale. You want a good deal, and you certainly don't want to go back to them if it goes wrong. A good warranty will cost you maybe £800, so see if you can get that as a discount on the car at least.

 

[Herishi]

I see myself sticking with the original comand unit and getting the Bluetooth interface assuming it allows a2dp streaming and control

 

[gIzzE]

I think it allows basic streaming, not sure on control.

 

[Herishi]

When did the avantgard drop sbc brakes?

 

[Herishi]

Sorry to change the subject randomly.

 

[merc85]

late 2006 onwards facelifted car's i think

 

[bob6600]

Facelift was 06-06 so no SBC after that

 

[gIzzE]

Lots of 56 and 07 plates that are pre facelift out there, so get to learn the differences.

 

[Herishi]

Going to look at a facelift 07 today. Fingers crossed its in better condition to the last one