bmw_328ci

Hi
I am thinking about getting a 2008 C350 with 45K miles.The car is not CPO. How reliable is the C350?What should I inspect? How is the engine and transmission reliability? Are the expensive to maintain?

tpdietz

My c300 4-matic is nearing 85k with no problems. At 45k I would check the maintenance booklet to verify the previous services have been completed. If the vehicle was serviced by an MB dealer there will be stamps for every service. With that mileage there should have been 2 power steering and brake fluid exchanges. At 39k there should have been a (somewhat pricey) transmission service. I would check the tires for even wear which could indicate poor alignment, bad (possibly abusive) driving habits, etc. Take the car at highway speeds you cruise at to ensure the rims are perfectly straight (no bends) - although vibration could indicate a balance is required, which should be done before you buy it.

Good luck!

bmw_328ci

There is no history for the service.They told me the previous owner brought the car to the dealer three times.They did A service,changed rear tires and changed spark plugs. It is a one owner vehicle. Do you know where can I find a downloadable service book for the car ? I think I will ask them to do a transmission service.
Thank you

bmw_328ci

I found it
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/servic...enance_manuals

tpdietz

I am a little confused when you say "There is no history for the service". I find it odd that any of the owners would have thrown this booklet away as it indicates what/when services should be completed. This same booklet (found in the zippered case with the manual) also has areas for dealerships to stamp if the 'A' service or 'B' service was completed. Did the current owners say they don't have this booklet?

While it nice the current owners changed the spark plugs, if I recall, they aren't recommended to be changed until closer to 90k miles. Changing the spark plugs prematurely may be an indicator that the owners thought the engine wasn't running as smoothly as it could.

bmw_328ci

I am buying the car from a dealer. The sales man didn't have any idea about the service record except the one they done after they got the car (he didn't check the service book)

Bosnia1992

if its a Mercedes Benz dealer get a carfax report, and if it was ever serviced they need to have that info in the Mercedes Benz shop by vin. if not then I would step away


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bmw_328ci

There is nothing on the carfax even the last one which was done on 02/28.(except the pre delivery inspection).I don't trust carfax that much.I've done several services for my car at the dealer but nothing shows in the history(Lancer Evo)

aamirani

I would not do this deal personally.

Sportstick

As I said to you on the "other" thread, major alarm bells here. There is no reason to believe you are getting honest information. A CPO warranty from MBUSA is far more secure.

RavenMDX

Do like me. Just got a used C300 but had it fully inspected by a local benz dealer (PPI - point to point inspection) before taking ownership (about $200).

If you do not know the history of the car, I would immediately do a transmission fluid change (about $400) and a battery change (about $300). This is what I did. I would also do an oil change and a brake fluid change. Then at least you'll know your starting your ownership with some piece of mind and a history of service.

I would also add a 2nd ground wire to the rear tailights ground brown wire (rear left and right connector) as its probably melting as we speak. There are many threads on this.

Can you get the VIN number, let me know and I'll send you the full datacard and what exactly what options it has installed.

TexFinn

While service records are quite important, I, personally, wouldn't necessarily consider them missing as a deal breaker. Especially if it otherwise checks out okay (no weird noises, no signs of accident damage, no salvage/rebuilt title etc.) and of the price is good.

However, in case you are not too familiar with these things and/or otherwise not too knowledgeable with cars, a PPI is highly recommended. That couple of hundred bucks could possibly save a lot of headaches in the future.

As mentioned earlier, plugs are not due to be changed at 45K miles, so that might be an indication of an issue the car had. Hopefully that was solved with that. Also sounds like sort of shady seller, too, so be careful.

vipsa

While the C350 is generally pretty reliable, I wouldn't touch that car unless you get it for less than $20k and the PPI comes out with stellar results. A first year production car with no service history could be a nightmare down the road. I just went through a similar deal for my 2009 C350, where it didn't have a lot of service history but it still has the factory warranty, so that made it a bit safer as I had time to look it over and take it in for any issues.

bmw_328ci

Anyone knows any good mercedes shop near Reading,PA to do a PPI ? I am thinking about taking the car to this shop

http://www.germanautospecialist.com/index.php
or
http://www.lancaster.mercedesdealer.com/

justthinking

Does PPI do extensive test or inspection on engine and transmission??
These would be the 2 area that worry me the most about this car, lack of service history means you won't know how often the oil is changed, what type of oil was used and if transmission fluid was properly flushed at around 38k miles.
If I were you, I would not touch this car, much rather getting a CPO from an authorized MB dealer

Cillys

No CPO, no buy!

bmw_328ci

They offered me 90 days or 4000 miles warranty on the power train.I will go to see the car tomorrow and I hope everything goes well.

tpdietz

How much is the car? Like other's have mentioned, why not look at a CPO? Price? If they are offering this vehicle significantly less expensive than a CPO, doesn't that sound suspicious to you?

Good Luck

bmw_328ci

they are asking 21k. The main reasons I am not interested in CPO is the price as I couldn't find a CPO less than 24K, and I am going to ship this car after 6 months outside the united states.

TexFinn

Hmmm... 21K, huh? The asking price of my wife's CPO'd 08 C350 was 21.9K 16 months ago, so at least in my area that price is a tad on the high side.

Just out of curiosity, where are you going to ship the car after 5 months?

RavenMDX

check your pm I sent you the datacard info