Went to test drive a c32, it went into limp mode
#1
Went to test drive a c32, it went into limp mode
Went into limp mode with no engine check light. I turned the car off and on and it as fine for a block. I turned traction control off and gave it a rip and it immediately went back to limp mode with check engine light.
It felt like it was stuck in 5th gear when it was "limping"
This is at company of cars in Burnaby bc. I was pretty angry and the owner said I was bullying him so doesn't want to deal with me now. I don't know if I'm that off base. When you go to test drive a car you expect it to be able to go around the block but maybe that's me. Kind of like you go to dinner and it's not cooked I kind of expect better service at that point but what I got was nothing but an email saying "it is what it is" the price is not going to be lowered but we will remove the engine light. Literally that's what the email said and then at that point is when I was pretty angry. They are asking 6500 Canadian for a c32 amg.
That's a ****ty way to tell this story but I think you get what I mean....
RJ
It felt like it was stuck in 5th gear when it was "limping"
This is at company of cars in Burnaby bc. I was pretty angry and the owner said I was bullying him so doesn't want to deal with me now. I don't know if I'm that off base. When you go to test drive a car you expect it to be able to go around the block but maybe that's me. Kind of like you go to dinner and it's not cooked I kind of expect better service at that point but what I got was nothing but an email saying "it is what it is" the price is not going to be lowered but we will remove the engine light. Literally that's what the email said and then at that point is when I was pretty angry. They are asking 6500 Canadian for a c32 amg.
That's a ****ty way to tell this story but I think you get what I mean....
RJ
#3
Super Member
More than likely you have a bad accelerator pedal. They are electronic, and normally fail when you punch them to the floor. Turning off the car will reset the pedal and it will be fine, until you punch it again. Replacement with used is about $40, new $150???
If it is not the pedal, it could be any number of issues like a supercharger coolant pump, or sensor, or who knows. I'd knock a couple hundred off (minimum) for the problem to sort it out yourself. Double that figure if you have to have a dealer fix it.
Or - have him put a new pedal in, and if it does not go in limp mode again, you'll take it.
If it is not the pedal, it could be any number of issues like a supercharger coolant pump, or sensor, or who knows. I'd knock a couple hundred off (minimum) for the problem to sort it out yourself. Double that figure if you have to have a dealer fix it.
Or - have him put a new pedal in, and if it does not go in limp mode again, you'll take it.
#5
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05 C55 AMG|04 C32 AMG (traded)|07 E350 - 4Matic|08 S450 - 4Matic|08 R550 - 4Matic|05 Boxster S
I test drove a similar C32 last year, but I brought an OBD scanner with me just in case it had engine codes, low and behold, it did! Had the exact same symptoms as what you mentioned above; I couldn't even accelerate fast enough to keep up with traffic after a stop and go at a light.
Long story short, the codes that it threw indicated faulty pedal assembly, which as mentioned above can be changed for relatively cheap (if that's all there is to the problem). In the ended I said "GLWS" to the dealer, and never talked to them again. With these cars, it's best if you can find a well maintained one that doesn't have any apparent problems.
Long story short, the codes that it threw indicated faulty pedal assembly, which as mentioned above can be changed for relatively cheap (if that's all there is to the problem). In the ended I said "GLWS" to the dealer, and never talked to them again. With these cars, it's best if you can find a well maintained one that doesn't have any apparent problems.
#6
Good price on C32.
I paid 8500 early this year with 137k and with full service done like new brakes pads and rotors, new tires and new water pump.
I paid 8500 early this year with 137k and with full service done like new brakes pads and rotors, new tires and new water pump.
Last edited by C32Pushka; 04-06-2017 at 01:45 AM.
#7
This is Canadian you realize. In Toronto they go for 5k Canadian at this mileage so it's not a very good deal here. c32's just don't sell here but they all have 200k on them which is probably why. Especially this one which looks like it was not loved by the previous owner. The passenger bolster has more wear than the drivers side which is super odd to me. I also don't like the blue inserts that would have to go and I would imagine lowers the value a bit.
Also I noticed when the I tried to adjust the fan speed of the heater it wouldn't really respond and the knobs on the stereo where all worn down to nubs.
The sad thing is that I would have spent the 3k to bring it back up to mint shape, the body was in great condition which is why I am frustrated at the whole debacle but they were still firm on the price. They accused me of bullying them into a deal when I pointed out they probably reset the ecu and were trying to flip it. I wanted them to at least deny it but they just said "that is unacceptable to me". The thing is I know they have not gone over this mechanically very well, not even detailed it or waxed it. They mentioned to me many times that "they don't sell cars this old". There was a lambo pretty close to it so I guess maybe that's true.
Oh well... Getting tired of waiting it's been almost a year looking for the right car.
Also I noticed when the I tried to adjust the fan speed of the heater it wouldn't really respond and the knobs on the stereo where all worn down to nubs.
The sad thing is that I would have spent the 3k to bring it back up to mint shape, the body was in great condition which is why I am frustrated at the whole debacle but they were still firm on the price. They accused me of bullying them into a deal when I pointed out they probably reset the ecu and were trying to flip it. I wanted them to at least deny it but they just said "that is unacceptable to me". The thing is I know they have not gone over this mechanically very well, not even detailed it or waxed it. They mentioned to me many times that "they don't sell cars this old". There was a lambo pretty close to it so I guess maybe that's true.
Oh well... Getting tired of waiting it's been almost a year looking for the right car.
Last edited by RJ Thompson; 04-06-2017 at 11:01 AM.
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#8
I bought mine in Vancouver too. So far I put another 1300 to get it to the top condition. This includes new pulley, belt, tensioner, injectors and filters. All original from MB.
i dont like comparing prices west coast to east coast due different wearher and distance.
Here is a small video
https://youtu.be/FKbSc7_ySCs
i dont like comparing prices west coast to east coast due different wearher and distance.
Here is a small video
https://youtu.be/FKbSc7_ySCs
#9
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05 C55 AMG|04 C32 AMG (traded)|07 E350 - 4Matic|08 S450 - 4Matic|08 R550 - 4Matic|05 Boxster S
West coast prices are always more expensive (not sure why, maybe due to better weather/less snow, therefore less exposure to salt), but from what I've seen and from when I was shopping around (over a year ago), C32s were between 6-9k in Toronto, but they'd all be 10-15k in Vancouver (they were generally in better condition though)
The options that are available right now in Toronto are garbage, none of them look clean or show signs of being taken care of by previous owners
The options that are available right now in Toronto are garbage, none of them look clean or show signs of being taken care of by previous owners
#11
Super Member
Another data point on prices.
Bought a 2003 C32 with 124K miles last year for $5200, then pumped $3700 into all sorts of refreshing, wheels and tires, and fixes (all DIY) - including hitting a deer!
I now have 133K on it, and it looks and drives like new, and probably worth close to the $8900 I have in it. Plan to drive it until the wheels fall off.
Bought a 2003 C32 with 124K miles last year for $5200, then pumped $3700 into all sorts of refreshing, wheels and tires, and fixes (all DIY) - including hitting a deer!
I now have 133K on it, and it looks and drives like new, and probably worth close to the $8900 I have in it. Plan to drive it until the wheels fall off.
#12
These cars are not cheap to maintain. One day I called stealership to get quote on some parts and end of the conversation was like that:
- Why air filter are so expensive?
- Oh, because its AMG.
Air filter
Here is another pic of intake valves condition on 137K KM
Intake valves
- Why air filter are so expensive?
- Oh, because its AMG.
Air filter
Here is another pic of intake valves condition on 137K KM
Intake valves
#13
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05 C55 AMG|04 C32 AMG (traded)|07 E350 - 4Matic|08 S450 - 4Matic|08 R550 - 4Matic|05 Boxster S
Another data point on prices.
Bought a 2003 C32 with 124K miles last year for $5200, then pumped $3700 into all sorts of refreshing, wheels and tires, and fixes (all DIY) - including hitting a deer!
I now have 133K on it, and it looks and drives like new, and probably worth close to the $8900 I have in it. Plan to drive it until the wheels fall off.
Bought a 2003 C32 with 124K miles last year for $5200, then pumped $3700 into all sorts of refreshing, wheels and tires, and fixes (all DIY) - including hitting a deer!
I now have 133K on it, and it looks and drives like new, and probably worth close to the $8900 I have in it. Plan to drive it until the wheels fall off.
Originally wanted the C32 to mod it for higher power, then after I got a taste of what 350+ hp feels like, I felt that I didn't really need anymore for daily driving, so I jumped ship to a more reliably and significantly lower mileage C55
#14
Yes, I think its lexintong something motors.
I offered him 8k too. He said no, too low and blah blah. But I took in consideration its condition compare to other cars I have looked.
I offered him 8k too. He said no, too low and blah blah. But I took in consideration its condition compare to other cars I have looked.
#15
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05 C55 AMG|04 C32 AMG (traded)|07 E350 - 4Matic|08 S450 - 4Matic|08 R550 - 4Matic|05 Boxster S
^Dealer must be out of his mind...either that, or he paid an insane amount to get the car originally and just doesn't want to take a big hit on it.
From what I've gathered, talking to one of my buddies who's a wholesaler, these C32s show up on the auction block quite often and can be had (at dealer auctions) for around $3.5-$4k. So unless he spent a ton of money bringing it up to selling condition, I don't see why he'd NEED to charge so high for it, especially if its just taking up space/capital in his dealership
From what I've gathered, talking to one of my buddies who's a wholesaler, these C32s show up on the auction block quite often and can be had (at dealer auctions) for around $3.5-$4k. So unless he spent a ton of money bringing it up to selling condition, I don't see why he'd NEED to charge so high for it, especially if its just taking up space/capital in his dealership
#16
MBWorld Fanatic!
Sure, you sound like part of the problem. I wouldn't want to deal with you either.
Why are you angry? You test drove the car, clearly it has issues, so just walk away then?
It's not like you own the car now and they lied to you or anything about it. Just walk away, no need to be angry or dumb about it.
Why are you angry? You test drove the car, clearly it has issues, so just walk away then?
It's not like you own the car now and they lied to you or anything about it. Just walk away, no need to be angry or dumb about it.
#17
MBWorld Fanatic!
If the car has issues either have it checked at the dealer (PPI) or walk away. If the dealer is being an *** walk away for sure. There are plenty c32s out there and they are dirt cheap nowadays.
I dealt with a guy like that. They had a blue c55.
He was saying **** like the price is not negotiable if I decide to take the car to get it inspected. I said sayonara.
Took him close to two months to sell that car
Have patience. I waited a year and looked at quite a few cars and few people bailed on selling their to me last minute but the wait was worth it.
I dealt with a guy like that. They had a blue c55.
He was saying **** like the price is not negotiable if I decide to take the car to get it inspected. I said sayonara.
Took him close to two months to sell that car
Have patience. I waited a year and looked at quite a few cars and few people bailed on selling their to me last minute but the wait was worth it.
#18
Super Member
The slime in your intake could be oil from blowby (normal), or it could be coolant from the charge air cooler (under the supercharger - normally green in color).
I had my charge air cooler develop this leak, which is very common on the C32, and other cars like the Crossfire, that use this engine. Replaced it with aftermarket (~$1000) as I expected a factory one to have the same problem again.
If your coolant slowly drops in level, you may need to replace it.
Last edited by kbob999; 04-11-2017 at 06:41 AM.
#20
Super Member
I chose Speedriven, but Eurocharged is good too. Both are improved cooling performance, and hopefully longer life.