03-28-2016, 07:21 PM
Last edit by: IB Nolan
Table of Contents "S55's Endless Build Thread"
1. Car Forklifted Onto Delivery Truck Because Auction Had No Key
2. Finally Sees Car and Damage In Person on Delivery Truck
3. Videos of S-Class Forklifted Off Delivery Truck And Slid Into Garage
4. Additional Rear-End Damage Photos
5. Cost Breakdown For Vehicle and Parts as of 3/12/16
6. Key Arrives! First Start Up.
7. First Test Drive, Warning Lights Abound
8. Fixed Electrical Issues(?), Replaced Battery and Alternator
9. New Woodgrain Steering Wheel Installed
1. Car Forklifted Onto Delivery Truck Because Auction Had No Key
2. Finally Sees Car and Damage In Person on Delivery Truck
3. Videos of S-Class Forklifted Off Delivery Truck And Slid Into Garage
4. Additional Rear-End Damage Photos
5. Cost Breakdown For Vehicle and Parts as of 3/12/16
6. Key Arrives! First Start Up.
7. First Test Drive, Warning Lights Abound
8. Fixed Electrical Issues(?), Replaced Battery and Alternator
9. New Woodgrain Steering Wheel Installed
I finally bought it Fellas!
07-22-2016, 09:08 PM
#2327
I would say that this was remarkably successful (even though it's not over) considering how it began.
So what did this thing cost overall.
$15108 - prior total from reconciliation above.
$350. - leather/wood wheel ( included since I see a lot of dealer inventory with this option)
$200. - replace at least one battery
$300. - second key that will eventually be purchased and is provided with the comparison car.
$800 - modest estimate for necessary bodywork.
$16758
Compared to a non-salvage mb dealer used car with similar options in near perfect condition and fully serviced.
$22,500
Gross savings $5742
So clearly it was cheaper to fix a salvage car than to purchase a used fully priced, fully serviced car from an MB Dealer.
There are a couple of caveats though.
Resale of a salvage title car is about 60% of clean titled cars. This is a non issue if you own it "forever".
There is likely some residual frame damage, it may be evident at some point or inconsequential, but it does represent some additional risk.
Ownership history, maintenance, and usage has a predictive effect on potential repairs. So how it was used and maintained is likely to show up in future repairs.
(Of course, well maintained cars with no abuse fail as well)
Comprehensive, and collision coverage can be difficult to get on a salvage title car, may cost more, and may provide limited benefit due to diminished value.
Resale is complicated as banks are generally unwilling to finance salvage titled cars. Typically it's a cash only deal. On the other hand in 3 years the car will be a 12 year old car with over 100k miles and a salvage title, so at around a value of $4,000 (using the price of a 2004 s-class with salvage title in nice condition today) a loan may not be necessary.
The initial price is very attractive ($10,398) but the all in cost, even with shrewd savings and your own labor, can creep up.
The mallet was not used at all in any repair - I'm disappointed in not seeing the results of the malleted rear quarters.
So what did this thing cost overall.
$15108 - prior total from reconciliation above.
$350. - leather/wood wheel ( included since I see a lot of dealer inventory with this option)
$200. - replace at least one battery
$300. - second key that will eventually be purchased and is provided with the comparison car.
$800 - modest estimate for necessary bodywork.
$16758
Compared to a non-salvage mb dealer used car with similar options in near perfect condition and fully serviced.
$22,500
Gross savings $5742
So clearly it was cheaper to fix a salvage car than to purchase a used fully priced, fully serviced car from an MB Dealer.
There are a couple of caveats though.
Resale of a salvage title car is about 60% of clean titled cars. This is a non issue if you own it "forever".
There is likely some residual frame damage, it may be evident at some point or inconsequential, but it does represent some additional risk.
Ownership history, maintenance, and usage has a predictive effect on potential repairs. So how it was used and maintained is likely to show up in future repairs.
(Of course, well maintained cars with no abuse fail as well)
Comprehensive, and collision coverage can be difficult to get on a salvage title car, may cost more, and may provide limited benefit due to diminished value.
Resale is complicated as banks are generally unwilling to finance salvage titled cars. Typically it's a cash only deal. On the other hand in 3 years the car will be a 12 year old car with over 100k miles and a salvage title, so at around a value of $4,000 (using the price of a 2004 s-class with salvage title in nice condition today) a loan may not be necessary.
The initial price is very attractive ($10,398) but the all in cost, even with shrewd savings and your own labor, can creep up.
The mallet was not used at all in any repair - I'm disappointed in not seeing the results of the malleted rear quarters.
So, selling it at $15K means 0 profit.
07-26-2016, 11:29 PM
#2328
08-02-2016, 01:45 PM
#2333
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Land of Political Criminals and Urban Shootings
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2015 S550
https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/5692497307.html
I find it amusing that he states that the car is "fully serviced, well cared for and maintained S-class. It has been a reliable vehicle for me." And he goes on to claim it's been better cared for than cars being sold by dealers.
Then he tries to use that ridiculous mini-fridge as a sales point....and claims that it's one of only 2 in the US that has one. Like he could possibly know that.....and I absolutely guarantee that he is 100% wrong about that claim. It's likely one of 2 that he has come across on this board....and that's it.
If he was really being honest about his ad....like he said he was, then he'd word his ad something like this:
My project car 2007 S-550 for sale. Original NYC car with unknown service history. I purchased this car sight unseen from an East coast insurance auction with a totaled title. The car had sustained a major rear end collision and I had intended to use a rubber mallet to bang out the rear panels. After receiving the car, I noticed that the damage could not be banged out with a mallet. I had MAACO pull the rear end out, PDR pull the panel dents out, and replaced the rear bumper cover & tail lights. There were check engine lights on, but I self diagnosed what it needed and replaced the battery. I added my own special touch by purchasing a used refrigerator and installed it myself. I personally haven't heard of very many W221 S-classes that have this special touch, and I do monitor an S-class online forum fairly regularly. In fact, here is a link to my project (ignore many of the deriders in the thread. I know a lot more about this than they do because I had the courage to do this!):
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ht-fellas.html
I'm only looking to get my cash investment back. I believe this car is every bit as good as a non-branded titled car, so I have priced it the same as if it had never sustained a major collision.
Last edited by DaveW68; 08-02-2016 at 01:48 PM.
08-02-2016, 01:58 PM
#2334
i would not be surprised he has run into more issues with the car (mechanical) and decided to just clear the codes and sell it to some unsuspecting buyer as a well cared for vehicle. This is why buying from craigslist can be dangerous. wow just wow.... what people will do make money or recover their money.
08-02-2016, 02:40 PM
#2336
MBWorld Fanatic!
He still has it listed for sale on CL:
https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/5692497307.html
I find it amusing that he states that the car is "fully serviced, well cared for and maintained S-class. It has been a reliable vehicle for me." And he goes on to claim it's been better cared for than cars being sold by dealers.
Then he tries to use that ridiculous mini-fridge as a sales point....and claims that it's one of only 2 in the US that has one. Like he could possibly know that.....and I absolutely guarantee that he is 100% wrong about that claim. It's likely one of 2 that he has come across on this board....and that's it.
If he was really being honest about his ad....like he said he was, then he'd word his ad something like this:
My project car 2007 S-550 for sale. Original NYC car with unknown service history. I purchased this car sight unseen from an East coast insurance auction with a totaled title. The car had sustained a major rear end collision and I had intended to use a rubber mallet to bang out the rear panels. After receiving the car, I noticed that the damage could not be banged out with a mallet. I had MAACO pull the rear end out, PDR pull the panel dents out, and replaced the rear bumper cover & tail lights. There were check engine lights on, but I self diagnosed what it needed and replaced the battery. I added my own special touch by purchasing a used refrigerator and installed it myself. I personally haven't heard of very many W221 S-classes that have this special touch, and I do monitor an S-class online forum fairly regularly. In fact, here is a link to my project (ignore many of the deriders in the thread. I know a lot more about this than they do because I had the courage to do this!):
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ht-fellas.html
I'm only looking to get my cash investment back. I believe this car is every bit as good as a non-branded titled car, so I have priced it the same as if it had never sustained a major collision.
https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/5692497307.html
I find it amusing that he states that the car is "fully serviced, well cared for and maintained S-class. It has been a reliable vehicle for me." And he goes on to claim it's been better cared for than cars being sold by dealers.
Then he tries to use that ridiculous mini-fridge as a sales point....and claims that it's one of only 2 in the US that has one. Like he could possibly know that.....and I absolutely guarantee that he is 100% wrong about that claim. It's likely one of 2 that he has come across on this board....and that's it.
If he was really being honest about his ad....like he said he was, then he'd word his ad something like this:
My project car 2007 S-550 for sale. Original NYC car with unknown service history. I purchased this car sight unseen from an East coast insurance auction with a totaled title. The car had sustained a major rear end collision and I had intended to use a rubber mallet to bang out the rear panels. After receiving the car, I noticed that the damage could not be banged out with a mallet. I had MAACO pull the rear end out, PDR pull the panel dents out, and replaced the rear bumper cover & tail lights. There were check engine lights on, but I self diagnosed what it needed and replaced the battery. I added my own special touch by purchasing a used refrigerator and installed it myself. I personally haven't heard of very many W221 S-classes that have this special touch, and I do monitor an S-class online forum fairly regularly. In fact, here is a link to my project (ignore many of the deriders in the thread. I know a lot more about this than they do because I had the courage to do this!):
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ht-fellas.html
I'm only looking to get my cash investment back. I believe this car is every bit as good as a non-branded titled car, so I have priced it the same as if it had never sustained a major collision.
awesome.
The following users liked this post:
mercedesbenzs55 (08-09-2016)
08-02-2016, 11:39 PM
#2338
The trunk mounted refrigerator also comes with a six pack of Coors Light. I had to cross state lines to acquire this beer with a bet I made with a tall gentleman and a midget. I promise you the beer will be chilled when you take this vehicle into your possession. Dog not included.
08-03-2016, 06:28 PM
#2341
Johnson Rods
Make sure you check the Johnson Rods in your engine. Those are very much prone to fail....usually after 7 years or 75k miles. Your CEL and misfire codes could be easily attributed to those rods having a very slight bend in them....and overall not a very expensive fix if you're good with tools. You can probably pick them up after-market for under $300. Figure about 3-5 hours labor for a first time DIY'er....or 2 hours for a professional shop to do the work. While in there, be sure to change out the fire plug as that will usually fail when you're approaching 100k miles. Once that goes, the engine will be getting close to self-destructing. So it's good to be on top of this so you can get many years of service out of your engine.
08-03-2016, 07:35 PM
#2342
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Land of Political Criminals and Urban Shootings
Posts: 4,010
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363 Posts
2015 S550
They are the rods attached to the lower engine pulley that pull the oil out of the sump. If you're around 75k, you should probably do the repair before your engine self-destructs. Be sure to ask your Benz service adviser about it. He might be able to tell you the engine break-down procedure to replace them.
08-03-2016, 11:24 PM
#2344
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Staten Island, NY
Posts: 775
Received 63 Likes
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53 Posts
2011 GL 550, 2010 MB S550, 2004 BMW 645Cic 1988 Corvette
Has anyone called or text Alexander to schedule a test drive or just to troll him?
contact name:
Alexander
call or text:
☎ (360) 606-7267
contact name:
Alexander
call or text:
☎ (360) 606-7267
08-05-2016, 06:51 AM
#2348
Member
We'll never know.
Think you can catch Keyser Soze? You think a guy like that comes this close to getting caught and sticks his head out? If he comes up for anything, it will be to get rid of me. After that... my guess is you'll never hear from him again.
08-08-2016, 11:25 PM
#2349
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Land of Political Criminals and Urban Shootings
Posts: 4,010
Received 474 Likes
on
363 Posts
2015 S550
He has lowered the price to $12k. He's finally getting in the ballpark. Kind of makes you wonder what's going on in his life where he's ready to take a $5k+ hit on what he's spent so far. Or what has gone wrong with his car that he's ready to dump it for a loss so quickly.
