MoeMZA

Came across this 2008 C300 4Matic. Has only 4,800 miles. Salvaged Title. It's production date was 2/2008. The car is in mint condition, with exception to the collision of course. There appears to be no suspension or axle damage (did not test drive). Engine runs/sounds smooth. There is one warning which says "No Coolant". Also the AC wasn't cold at all (maybe cause of no coolant?)

I'm no mechanic or auto body specialist, but it appears to be an 'easy' fix.

The asking price is $17,500.

What do you guys think....some advice needed.

Thanks in advance.

Azn_C300

Test drive to check suspension and axle and frame, although judging by the damage, you probably do have some axle or at least suspension damage. Add some coolant to see if that helps the AC issue, probably just a coolant leak though, so easy fix. Looks like a bare stock with no packages and MM. Get them to knock it down to around $15,000 and buy yourself a bodykit

myinternetsucks

Looks can be deceiving!!!! Try to get the whole story first, its may seem like an easy fix but not having a mechanics eye, its real easy to overlook small things that can be a big problem. With the car only having about 5K miles i would say spend an extra 10K an opt for the same car on either a trade in, buy back or lease and have piece of mind. Theres something fishy about only having 5K worth of miles and being totaled????? Don't you agree?

tanktube67

Have it inspected by authorize MB body shop

^+1

vic viper

What has happened?, it may look like an easy fix, but I bet that its more than you think, the AC alone is an expensive fix if the condenser is punctured..
Have the engine been running without coolant?, doesnt take many minutes to damage the engine when running it dry.
How does the bodywork look like underneith the fender?, and is the body behind the front wheel intact?, if not, it isnt easy nor cheap to fix..

aowhaus

No insurance company will total a car unless the damages are a substantial portion of its value (most state laws say at least 70%). The insurance companies have to make money too and will never total any car at their loss.

If you are still interested in buying, I suggest getting it checked out by a mechanic. My biggest concern is the axel/suspension.
There's no way to determine the extent of the damages unless the front end is taken apart, which I'm sure the seller is not willing to allow, so getting the car is a crap shoot.
If the seller could provide their insurance company's damage estimate it would be valuable, however most likely the seller will not as it will tell a little too much.

I had front end damage to my car and it didn't look so bad -- I thought it will cost $4,000-5,000, but it turned out to be $14,000.

I agree with AZN, you should knock down the price to $15,000, as the car has no options except for 4matic. It strangely has a luxury grill and hood ornament.

Good luck!

MoeMZA

WOW. Great observation. Didin't even notice that. Don't think this one is a go.

elindiano

i wouldn't do it. you need to figure how much it cost to repair, insuring it, ect...
looks to be at least 6k in damage, thats just what i can see from the outside.

but if you think its something you want to, i would ask lower than 15k. ask for 10k and see if you guys can meet around 12k.

woedee

Likely to have alignment/suspension issues. If car is salvage status, then repairs are likely to be costly, in relation to car market value.

C300Sport

I agree. There may be much more than meets the eye.

MB300AMG

I absolutely DO NOT recommend buying this car. I had a bit of an accident (not my fault) and had to have body work done on my front bumper and that amounted to no less than $11,000 at a Mercedes-Benz body shop. They charge premium for parts...

MB300AMG

There will easily be damage underneath which they'll have to replace and i'm sure if you went to Mercedes-Benz instead of doing it yourself you'll easily jack up the price by $5,000+

Azn_C300

$11k for the front bumper....sorry to say, but you got ripped off, but since it wasn't your fault, no harm I suppose since their insurance company covers it.

eminnet

I think that under that corner is the intercooler, which explains the coolant loss.
Part of the collision force was taken by the wheel so you will have to change some other parts.
Personally I would sell that car not buy.

HBC350

I wouldn't touch that car with a ten foot pole. If the ins company totaled it, it has more damage than meets the eye. They're not in the business of paying out FMV on a $30K vehicle when it has $5K worth of damage. I bought a brand new 2008 C350 (base model, no additional options) for $30K plus t&l. You buy that junker and put $10K into it and what do you have? A salvage vehicle worth $15K.

vic viper

Intercooler?

The C300 is not supercharged

HBC350

That right front wheel is pushed waaaayy back into the wheel well, too, so you know there's suspension damage. Run. Don't walk. Unless you can get it for $5K.

phatboypimp

Everything is fixable but at what cost.....I would take it to a shop and get an idea of what it would cost. I suspect the lack of coolant is no big deal, doubtful they ran the car after the accident but that is a risk. I love a good project, this has good project all over it. I would buy it for $12K and dump $38K in mods. lol.

To me, that looks like the perfect car for a AMG upgrade for hood, fenders and bumper. lol

MB300AMG

Nah it wasn't just the bumper. There was suspension work, they had to replace the front grille and lights, the hood and the metal bar which is there are the crumple zone I believe. The engine was untouched thankfully but the car body work around it had to be redone so I guess it should be expensive, tho $11,000 is still steep.

In any case, I gotta trade the car in eventually for a 4matic anyway living here in the Northeast, so i'll just take the depreciation hit and move on.

Ron Jr

Is a CARFAX available. Personnaly I would say stay away.

Bokx_350

Its all about the numbers.

How much is a similar car that has not been damaged in the market? around $25k?

Now how much do you THINK you will need to invest on the car? around $5k best case scenario?

With these numbers the difference (or "savings") is $3k. Is it worth it to you going though all that trouble, taking that risk, and having a repaired car for $3k?? I would say no.

C300Sport

Don't forget, once you have a salvage title, no warranty coverage and no resale value!

jo17jC230

Like others have said, I wouldn't touch that thing... "Salvaged" says it all.

With the price it would take to to fix, it would probably cost less or the same to just buy a similar model certified used from the dealer.

fitzgeraldo88

First the car has the amg styling package and aluminum interiors and three spoke steering of the SPORT but the grill and star are of the luxury model.

Something is wrong, and when it smells like **** it most likely is ****.
Dont buy.

Glyn M Ruck

Get it on an alignment jig - If it's bent - no go. If not - try & get it really cheaply. The trouble is the vehicle is probably most valuable parted out.