Beware the so called "CPO" Vehicle

[2phast]

Going to post this as info concerning purchasing a CPO vehicle without getting a 3rd party inspection. This happened to my close friend and although it did not happen to me directly, I did have to live through this. My friend is a devote Mercedes owner and has been so for many years.

https://medium.com/@eathans/happy-birthday-to-me-b2f92e49d1d1

 

[gerryvz]

Nicely done story. Interesting that Porsche didn't get on the dealer. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Enjoyed the reading, and wow, very surprised the Porsche of NA just let this ride...

 

[LWB250]

Glad I don't own a Porsche...at least not one I bought for a dealer.

Dan

 

[Maui]

That is a sad story. I don't know how Porsche CPO's work, but I thought that Porsche, not the dealer, was ultimately responsible for any warranty work. I would think that Porsche has to approve the vehicle as CPO eligible. Wouldn't the dealer have to submit paperwork to the mothership before they could sell it as a CPO? If that isn't the case why isn't every car be a CPO?

This story reminded me of the brake issue I had with my 2011 E550. It was a CPO car and the dealer had stated in the CPO inspection, as well as the VMI, that the front brake rotors had been replaced. I barely had the car for a couple weeks when I noticed major steering wheel shake when the brakes were applied. The rotors appeared fine on a visual inspection. I looked into the issue on other car forums and learned this particular model was prone to warpping front rotors. I found an MB bulletin about this very issue. I took the car back to the dealership and after test driving it they replaced the front rotors and pads under the CPO warranty. I give kudos to the dealer because any time I had any issues they took care of it and were almost gleeful to do it. They even replaced all the wood trim when I presented them with a bulliten about premature fading. I hadn't noticed fading but figured if they were willing to repalce I should get new trim.

Within a couple years the rotors were warped again. This time I replaced them myself with better rotors.

I am a big fan of CPO vehicles. Not because they are supposedly inspected, but because you get a great warranty and duck the first appreciation hit. I have always doubted that dealers really do a 100 point inspection. I hope Klink will chime in and fill us in on how an MB becomes a CPO.

 

[jhodg5ck]

these dealers should hire themselves a nitpicky and bitter fella to do their CPO's..!

great read, sorry your friend went through that Mess...I was worried about his check book there for a Minute...!!


Stories like this do make me feel All the better for being as Critical as I am when it comes to inspections...it's the only way to be IMO.

jono

 

[Melville]

Within a couple years the rotors were warped again. This time I replaced them myself with better rotors.

Sorry for hijacking this thread, but could you share which better rotors you used for your E550. The rotors on mine also needed replacing, but it was well after I got the car (though still under warranty). The dealer wouldn't cover the cost. If I need to change them again, I want to make sure the problem doesn't come back.

 

[daantjie]

My opinion on what has happened here is that the dealership, and Porsche is still way ahead in this "game". They "win" because they did not immediately "cave", and thus they spare themselves from this guy telling all his buddies that Porsche helped him out no problem thus causing them more "goodwill" comps in the end. These guys have been at this game forever, it is very much risk/reward. They know even if this dude badmouths Porsche to the ends of the earth, the sheeple will still fork over big bucks for a Porsche so why worry about ticking off one guy, right? This is not limited to Porsche by the way. I had a similar "go pound sand" approach from Honda Canada. They don't care because they still sell tons of cars to the masses, a few disgruntled owners will not move the needle for them 1 mm.

 

[gsxr]

Sorry for hijacking this thread, but could you share which better rotors you used for your E550. The rotors on mine also needed replacing, but it was well after I got the car (though still under warranty). The dealer wouldn't cover the cost. If I need to change them again, I want to make sure the problem doesn't come back.

If you are having problems, I'd get a set of OE and have they cryo treated. Also make sure they are actually warping, and it's not material transfer as described in StopTech's white paper.

 

[skikrazey]

Ditto what gsxr said! I highly recommend http://frozenrotors.com/ been using them for years. Their cryo process is patented if memory serves and different from how others do it. I specifically requested Zimmerman rotors for my 500E (OEM for MB) and they obliged, no issues. Ask for Chris he is great to deal with. You can also request that they get the rotors directly from MB or you can ship them your own. They are very accommodating.

 

[skikrazey]

On the CPO side of things, in May of 2018 I purchased an 2013 SL63 AMG. I had great success with the selling dealer, was provided with the service history of the vehicle since new, 1st & 2nd owners bought car from dealership and serviced it there. My 1st experience with a CPO vehicle was with Land Rover in 2014. In total I have acquired 3 Range Rovers, 1 Land Rover, and 1 Jaguar F-Pace, all CPO with no issues! I trust both dealerships and have developed solid relationships with them. That being said, getting a PPIs is a good idea especially if you are out of the area/across country. I have never purchased a vehicle without driving it and looking at it in person. I, too, have read horror stories about CPO vehicles, but you have them with new cars as well. Overall, CPO is a good program.