xsever

Hello gents,

Long time reader and looking to buy a 2007 C280 4matic in South Ontario, Canada.

I found one on kijiji posted for $12K with 150,000 Km. I am aware of the Balance Shaft and the magnets problems so I checked the VIN number (WDBRF92H67F896047) and the engine's serial number is 531225 so it's beyond the affected range for the first problem.

I went to check the car out and connected my ODB scanner and the findings are found below.

The seller was surprised that it had all these problems and he said he'll let it go, AS IS, for $7-7.5K. Average asking price in my region with similar mileage is $13-14K.

What I want to know is, since the P0016 only (not P0017) is on, does that mean the Balance Shaft problem is the case or is that out of the question since the engine serial number is outside the affected range.

I know P0015 and P0025 are for the magnets and those can be done for $150 in parts and I can do the labour part as my dad used to be a licenced mechanic, but are those two also causing the P0016.

I want to know if the car is worth it for $7K if I were to buy the sensors/magnets and change them myself. The only thing it'll also need is a detail at a body shop.

Thank you very much for your help in advance.

Khan28

I'd walk away from this one although the the $7K price is tempting. Instead of buying a cheap one that will need work right off the bat it would be better to pony up a few extra dollars and purchase one from a dealership and have a pre-purchase inspection performed on the car. As for the balance shaft issue some say it goes all the way up to 2009 builds although I'm not sure how correct that is as the engine on the car you're interested in is outside of the supposedly affected range.

Akhafeez

walk away not worth it.

xsever

I offered the guy $7.5K.

If I get it, I am going to change the magnets and thermostat myself which is about $350 in parts. If that solves the problem, I'll keep it.

If that doesn't do it, I can ship the car overseas to a specific country where I know labour is very cheap and the car is worth $22K (due to import tarrifs and all that).

That way I can make money on it once it sells and keep looking for a better car until I find one.

I am yet to find any similar below $12k.


Thank you nonetheless for the advice. Let's see if the deal goes through.

edgarinho10

How did the conversation go that preceded the OBD scanner? How did you take the possibility of taking several thousands less? I would be a bit suspicious....

xsever

The owner was told by a friend who owns a Hyundai delaership that the CEL is caused by the gas cap. I asked him if I can check it with the scanner and he said yeah sure go ahead. When I ran the scan and showed him the error codes, he was very surprised/shocked and said the car hasn't been giving him any trouble and he uses it every day to highway-commute.

I said if you are willing to fix the issues and get it certified and e-tested, I can pay him more for the car, but if I were to fix that all by myself, I am going to have it to offer him much less and I'd rather not do that and offend him and then I walked away a bit.

Then he said he really wants to sell the car and to make him an offer. I offered $6k, he said $7.5K. We can probably meet halfway.

Then I told him I'll get back to you once I "call the dealership" and ask how much it is going to cost me to fix it.

Then I posted here.

I am thinking if I pay $7K for it and my cost is about $500 for the parts since I can do the labour, it's not bad.

Taxes in and feed and all that and the car will still be below $9K.

The cheapest I found for similar specs is $12k.

By the way, I called the dealer and they said it would cost $900 to fix all the issues. I am saving way more than that by doing it myself.

Your thoughts gents and thank you for advice.

tommy

Have you looked at everything else as well? Can't tell if your dad or anyone else has gotten it on a lift to check suspension, rust, exhaust, etc...

It sounds like you're focusing on the obvious problems, when there may be others there as well. If that's not the case and a full inspection has been done, then my only remaining concern is that he dropped the price by such a large amount so quickly. I'd be a bit worried about the car, honestly.

And if you do buy it and it ends up being a lemon, then you can't say that no one here warned you.

xsever

Your opinion and advice are very much appreciated. I'll never say you guys did not warn me.

That is actually why I posted here: so I get opinions and advice before deciding.

Khan28

Mechanical and electrical faults aside (Since you're aware of it) be sure to check for rust and signs of previous accident damage. They just don't feel the same when they've had major body work done to them and there may be a serious case of future rust it hasn't been repaired properly. You're already prepared to do some work to the car if you go ahead and purchase it so you might as go the extra mile.

xsever

I forgot to mention that I checked the car's used sale package and history report and it was never in an accident.

The seller now wants $8000 for the car as is and I am just not feeling it anymore given all the hidden issues that may pop up when I take it to safety it/certify it.

I'd rather pay a bit extra and buy myself peace of mind.

Thank you to everyone for your expert advice. Will continue the search and keep you all updated.

Akhafeez

still nahhhhhhhhhhhhh