imagineaudio

Hi, been a while since I've been on the forum.

Looking at a 1998 c230K with 95,000 miles for my GF. Been in the same family since new, but not driven much lately. The little old lady that drives it has hit everything, so the outside is pretty rough.

-Missing the fr/rt side marker cover
-fr/left rear view mirror has been replaced with one of the wrong color and has been badly spray painted and doesn't function that well.
-Both Driver seat and passenger seats didn't function on the test drive but the little old lady says they usually do, but are intermittent
-Radio displays "code"
-SRS light is on
-cruise control lever just moves around freely.

I briefly had a 2000, it just had electric seat on driver side, and I do remember it was intermittently operational, but I'm not sure of the cause and price to fix.

I'm waiting to hear back about service records and whatnot. Lowest price is $2800. It is kinda jacked, but what do you guys think?

Tony_AMG

I have a spare RT Side marker lamp, not the headlamp molding if you were refering to that That i can give to ya, just cover for shipping.

Regarding the mirror cover, not a big deal, you can have that repainted anytime, if you talking about the mechanism not working, then you have a broken LT Mirror assembly mechanism that needs replacement. My answer to that, go to a salvage yard and swap it out with a E320 or C230, C280, C220. Much cheaper, only need a screwdriver and clip out the mirror cover and glass should be easy takes probably like 20-45 mins.

If the driver seats not working, The doors might have been worked on [Repaired or possibly replace] and the monkeys [People who are not certified MB Star Technicians] might have re-installed the door trim panel incorrectly thus having a faulty seat not working or als o the possibility of the switches gone bad.

About the radio code, its not so hard to get it. I can have the code if you have the VIN number of the car [Unless it has been replaced with another car's radio thus impossible to track the other car's VIN]

SRS Light on means you have a bad Supplementary Restraint System, means an airbag has not been installed correctly or seat belt or seat belt buckle is bad, OR they replaced an Airbag or seat belt or buckle and not cleared the codes. Solution: Diagnose with Mercedes Benz Star Diagnosis System {SDS} to accurate see what could be replaced or just clear codes.

Lever problem, needs replacement and a good MB Certified tech might help you easier. Find one who can do it on the side and makes sure he doesn't screw up anything.

I bought my C230 Kompressor and spend about 5500 for it, thus not really a big deal for me since have of that money was easy to get for me. if you want a reliable car, this would be much good. I Highly recommend buying a Benz post 1998 since it is much easier to work one and less expensive to maintain.

imagineaudio

Tony, thanks for the reply!

Will have it taken to a mechanic to check the SRS light, among other things.

Thanks for the offer for the side marker, I see you're in Culver, I'm in the valley.
I was referring to the rt blinker cover...


I understand the 98s may have some transmission issues, can anyone confirm?

Just wondering if it's a no-brainer for $2800 or if we should run screaming. The kbb retail price in the area is $6600...

Tony_AMG

Go for it if it has a clean title and if it has repair history like you mentioned, make sure u know what was done to the car so you know what to expect. If you want my co worker does side work, he is a Star tech here in West L.A. where I work at, and if you are interested he can check out your SRS problem and trust me, he know what he does cause i let him work on my car and he isn't expensive than other places. I would get it and if you have pictures of the car so i can see what might need work since I work in a Certified MB Collision repair shop, I kind of know what to expect coming from a W202. or you can have him inspect the car and tell you what could be wrong with it.

imagineaudio

Thanks, I'll let you know what's up. Unfortunately, the car is in near Riverside, so I'm not sure they'll let us take it back to LA for an inspection. Probably going to try Walter's Auto, the local dealership out there.

RANDY_P

$2800 for that thing? A clean 280 can be had for a little more. $2K, maybe.

Certainly it's been abused it's entire life, bet it hasn't been maintained. Get a clean one with no stories for a few dollars more

rjp

imagineaudio

Well, thanks for the replies, guys. We're going to pass on this one. He neglected to tell me about the Salvage title.

Tony_AMG

Dang salvage title, yeah good call on passing, i'm sure you will find one out there. C230's Rule and economic wise. Good luck bud

Jovsky

Sorry for the thread jack, but Tony_AMG, bro! How much would it cost to replace the front & rear bumpers plus side skirts to a C43 AMG kit like what you did to your car? Any estimate? I am planning to convert my 2000 C230k Sport if it fits my budget. Thanks bro!

Jovsky

Try looking at los angeles craigslist. They have a lot of C230k for sale. http://losangeles.craigslist.org/

Tony_AMG

Jovsky, The front Bumper Assy [Complete w/ Fog lamps and harness, absorbers] $1400, The Rocker moldings are $700 complete Set with clips and seals, and Rear Bumper, well I rather just Buy the Bumper cover and the 3 AMG Absorbers for about $700, And the Avantgarde grille cost about $195. These prices are Dealer prices, so ballpark around $3000 for the upgrade, Includung the paint and labor. All prices from Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills, my peeps out there.

The best Option is to buy the Front Bumper Complete accessory for about $1009+tax = $1107 CA price

Rocker Side Flare just buy the Accessory Set for about $700 + tax (Each rocker goes for about $650 List price)

Rear Bumper get the cover $600 + tax and absorbers about $100 + tax

Does not include paint or labor, though labor is Epically easy to do.

AMG Wheels Find in Salvage Yard Monoblocks. E430 Sport, CLK430 Sport, SLK230 Sport, SL500 Sport. Mine are 17's and came of his CLK55

Either that or good luck finding a C43 Totaled here in California, I was looking for 1 to upgrade my Interior to Two Tone AMG Leather/Stiching
Since My car if a kompressor, I am going to put the "V8 KOMPRESSOR" Fender nameplate off an E55, SL55, SLK32 and put it in my Fenders and have the Trunk Read "C23 ///AMG"

Jovsky

Wow!!! I'm blown away with the budget. $3,000 already covers 60% of the value of my C230k which I bought for $5,000 in April 2010. My other option is to buy C43 instead. I've seen them sell between $7,000 to $8,000 in Los Angeles Craigslist. What do you think?

Nevertheless, if I get to save that budget early next year, YOU are the MAN I am going to see.

By the way, I've got the 2-tone (Black/Gray) Kompressor interior and steering wheel and the white face cluster.