Thoughts on this 2002 Mercedes Benz C320 for sale?
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Thoughts on this 2002 Mercedes Benz C320 for sale?
I'm in need of a vehicle but I've never owned a Mercedes. A friend of our family's posted this Craigslist ad selling his vehicle...can I get people's thoughts because I don't know much about cars in general. Thanks!
https://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/d...381950949.html
https://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/d...381950949.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
$3500 + is a joke.
Just saw someone here sell their 2007 for $1800.
2002 Sedan with that many miles and ANY issues like the seat modules etc.
Offer $500. if they are a friend.
Seat controllers can be fixed with a relay mod shown around here somewhere.
Otherwise both require replacement, $1000.
Window is more of a pain, could cost $500- 1000 to fix.
And a new radio, depending on what you want...go for an Audio 10
with the CD player, or go high end with a JVC that still works from the
steering wheel controls. If you just want the cassette, it can be had cheap.
I like stock radio because you can operate with both hands on the wheel, assuming the
switches still work.
I'd bet there's more issues than they are listing. Long list of stuff you
need to check., Search the forum. I've written it up many times.
I'm at 237K miles, and I'm constantly fixing little things, to keep it all from
creeping up on me. Most recently the latch in the trunk, the switch inside broke,
and told me it was open all the time.
3.2L has 12 spark plugs, wires and coils to go bad, but is generally
a good engine.
If you can't DIY don't even consider.
Plan on an alternator and starter almost immediately if they're not done already.
Just saw someone here sell their 2007 for $1800.
2002 Sedan with that many miles and ANY issues like the seat modules etc.
Offer $500. if they are a friend.
Seat controllers can be fixed with a relay mod shown around here somewhere.
Otherwise both require replacement, $1000.
Window is more of a pain, could cost $500- 1000 to fix.
And a new radio, depending on what you want...go for an Audio 10
with the CD player, or go high end with a JVC that still works from the
steering wheel controls. If you just want the cassette, it can be had cheap.
I like stock radio because you can operate with both hands on the wheel, assuming the
switches still work.
I'd bet there's more issues than they are listing. Long list of stuff you
need to check., Search the forum. I've written it up many times.
I'm at 237K miles, and I'm constantly fixing little things, to keep it all from
creeping up on me. Most recently the latch in the trunk, the switch inside broke,
and told me it was open all the time.
3.2L has 12 spark plugs, wires and coils to go bad, but is generally
a good engine.
If you can't DIY don't even consider.
Plan on an alternator and starter almost immediately if they're not done already.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
None
Thank you all for your replies and insight. Again I know nothing about cars or especially Mercedes Benz vehicles, so your opinions are priceless. Going by all the things that you guys mentioned, I will probably pass on looking further into this vehicle. It's in Mississippi where my parents live anyways, so I would have to drive 3 hours to go check it out or have them have to do that for me. I will pass on this I think.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Yikes! Yeah, if you know nothing about cars, fuggetaboutit!!!!
Of course, there's no time like the present to learn.
When I was a kid, my dad would have me hand him tools while he worked on the family cars.
At the time, I was pretty impatient and just ready to get out there so I could play with my friends.
But I learned the names of tools, and how to use them. And also, looking back, spent some precious time with my dad,
who was alway soooo busy. Weekends were spent working on the house, yard, and vehicles, and
he was pretty much gone most of the time during the week.
I started by working on my bicycles with basics like changing tires or fixing flats.
When I got my drivers license I bought a small motorcycle and worked on that,
and then bought my Dad's VW from him. 1st thing he and I did was fix the brakes, which he taught me how to do.
When I was 19, I bought a Toyota PU which promptly blew a head gasket,
and would cost way more than I could afford to pay, so
I just went to the dealer, and walked into the shop, and asked the
mechanics how I might go about doing the work myself. They were so very helpful, and of course I bought
the manual. I rented a torque wrench, and set about doing the work, labeling every screw along the way.
I still remember firing it back up after a couple weeks in pieces, and bam, it started right up!
Not bad for a kid with no formal training. I literally drove that truck into the ground and never had any
issues with head again.
My next car was a 1985 FIAT X19 and there is a club locally that would have tech sessions at a shop, and
the owner would walk you through various repairs like timing belts. And they'd have a keg of beer!
Just what you need while performing complex repairs on a motor vehicle.
Next I had a 1981 BMW 320i owned by an old man, with 78K original miles, which was before the days of so much
electronics. The only electronic thing was the fuel injection.
So that one was pretty simple and reliable. No power anything.
It even came WITH a toolkit in the trunk, and the owners manual went
as far as telling you how to adjust the valves, along with
oil changes, and plugs. Ha, not any more!!! No way!
Had it for a couple years, and then got the Mercedes
When I got this Mercedes, I really upped my game, using the forums to glean information
on how to effect repairs. I've never done anything like pulling the head or anything,
but pretty much everything else.
It really PAYS. learning everything you can about cars, take a class at the local JC or
at your high school if they have shop. Better to pay yourself $100-200 hour than
a mechanic, when at all possible. Start learning, but yeah, not on a Mercedes.
I like to joke, that Mercedes builds the best Italian cars in all of Germany.
They are just as finicky, way more complicated and parts are just
stupid expensive. Mercedes once build stalwart cars, built like tanks,
designed to last forever. No more.
Maybe start with a Toyota. Ha!
Of course, there's no time like the present to learn.
When I was a kid, my dad would have me hand him tools while he worked on the family cars.
At the time, I was pretty impatient and just ready to get out there so I could play with my friends.
But I learned the names of tools, and how to use them. And also, looking back, spent some precious time with my dad,
who was alway soooo busy. Weekends were spent working on the house, yard, and vehicles, and
he was pretty much gone most of the time during the week.
I started by working on my bicycles with basics like changing tires or fixing flats.
When I got my drivers license I bought a small motorcycle and worked on that,
and then bought my Dad's VW from him. 1st thing he and I did was fix the brakes, which he taught me how to do.
When I was 19, I bought a Toyota PU which promptly blew a head gasket,
and would cost way more than I could afford to pay, so
I just went to the dealer, and walked into the shop, and asked the
mechanics how I might go about doing the work myself. They were so very helpful, and of course I bought
the manual. I rented a torque wrench, and set about doing the work, labeling every screw along the way.
I still remember firing it back up after a couple weeks in pieces, and bam, it started right up!
Not bad for a kid with no formal training. I literally drove that truck into the ground and never had any
issues with head again.
My next car was a 1985 FIAT X19 and there is a club locally that would have tech sessions at a shop, and
the owner would walk you through various repairs like timing belts. And they'd have a keg of beer!
Just what you need while performing complex repairs on a motor vehicle.
Next I had a 1981 BMW 320i owned by an old man, with 78K original miles, which was before the days of so much
electronics. The only electronic thing was the fuel injection.
So that one was pretty simple and reliable. No power anything.
It even came WITH a toolkit in the trunk, and the owners manual went
as far as telling you how to adjust the valves, along with
oil changes, and plugs. Ha, not any more!!! No way!
Had it for a couple years, and then got the Mercedes
When I got this Mercedes, I really upped my game, using the forums to glean information
on how to effect repairs. I've never done anything like pulling the head or anything,
but pretty much everything else.
It really PAYS. learning everything you can about cars, take a class at the local JC or
at your high school if they have shop. Better to pay yourself $100-200 hour than
a mechanic, when at all possible. Start learning, but yeah, not on a Mercedes.
I like to joke, that Mercedes builds the best Italian cars in all of Germany.
They are just as finicky, way more complicated and parts are just
stupid expensive. Mercedes once build stalwart cars, built like tanks,
designed to last forever. No more.
Maybe start with a Toyota. Ha!
Thank you all for your replies and insight. Again I know nothing about cars or especially Mercedes Benz vehicles, so your opinions are priceless. Going by all the things that you guys mentioned, I will probably pass on looking further into this vehicle. It's in Mississippi where my parents live anyways, so I would have to drive 3 hours to go check it out or have them have to do that for me. I will pass on this I think.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Nov 15, 2017 at 03:16 PM.
