'94firebirdv6

hey everybody i've been in the market for my first mercedes for quite some time now. I have until recently been searching for a 1999-2000 c230k with the sport package with reasonable mileage and a reasonable price. I decided on this car until i learned of the awesome performance of the amg models of the c-class. I have found what i think is a good deal on a c36 the only problem is that its 400 miles away in NJ so its not like i can test drive it and inspect it beforehand. I have been researching and i have found that the '95 model is prone to head gasket and wiring harness failure. I am very good with american sports cars having completely torn down and rebuilt engines from the bare block and doing countless chassis jobs on my own and my cousin's car but like i said this will be my first mercedes. I am going into college next fall and i will pay for this car completely on my own. I need to know how common these problems are and the cost involved in replacement...keep in mind i am confident i can do the labor myself. obviously i am on a limited budget. i can afford the car but any major repairs needed soon after the purchase would be very hard to pay for.

please take a look at the car and tell me what you think:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...en&cardist=445


thanks alot,
Cory

Vardar

Very clean looking car, but I wouldn't buy it without test driving it... 112k miles is not low....

Also only 220 in USA? Is that correct?

I drive C43, but I heard a lot of good things about C36s. Good luck!

C43AMG

If it were closer , I would be willing to drive to Elizabeth and check it for you personally.My persoonal opinon is you can't go wrong with either, I have a 00'C230K and I love the car and I also have a C43.If you are definetly going with the C36 maintnance records are a must otherwise IF.......repeat IF something breaks it won't be cheap.Let us know how you make out.

'94firebirdv6

thanks guys
yeah i told the owner to send me any and all pictures along with the carfax report and any other info i need to know about the car because its impractical for me to drive 400 miles, test drive it, and then decide if i want it. If everything looks good, I will buy the car unless there is obviously something wrong with it when i get there to buy it.

C43AMG

94 - Where Are You Located ?

'94firebirdv6

im in southern Ohio

'94firebirdv6

i was thinking about paying a mechanic to take a look at the car for me...how do u think i should go about finding someone?

85Cosworth

'94firebirdv6-
There is a Black on Black 96 C36 for sale in Columbus Eaton, OH for $15k, has 80k miles on it. That should be closer to you. Go to http://www.carmax.com and search near your area code for C36. Looks pretty clean and is closer.

'94firebirdv6

cosworth-
thanks for looking for me, but 15k is alittle out of my price range

ProjectC55

C43 FTW!

Vardar

ditto

StapleGun

Don't rely on an owner-provided carfax - get your own.

'94firebirdv6

call me dumb, but whats FTW???

also how do i go about finding someone to inspect the car?

'94firebirdv6

anybody?
i really need to find out about this car asap
thanks

85Cosworth

See if the dealer has a independent shop or another deale that an inspect it for you. Or do you know somebody close to there that can get an inspection done for you?

'94firebirdv6

well it is the dealer's personal car so im afraid the inspection might be a little biased....and no i dont know anybody in the area

85Cosworth

Get a VMI for the from a local MB mechanic or dealer. It will give you a idea of the cars past. I pulled on a C36 I as looking at and it was 4 pages long of pars that were replaced b/c they went bad. And the C36 I might get tommorow had only one thing on it, a brake light bulb changed at 33,000 miles. The VMI will also tell you where the car originated from and what was factory installed on the car.

'94firebirdv6

ok thanks
i dont know what dealership the owner had the car serviced at...does it matter or do all dealerships have access?
also how much will it cost to get the VMI or is it free?

85Cosworth

My mechanic gets VMIs' for me for free. Don't know if it normally costs. Ask the dealership where it was serviced at and then try to contact that dealership to verify maintenance history.

'94firebirdv6

alright well i just asked the seller what dealership serviced his car so when he gets back to me ill contact them and ask for the maintenance history....he said there was absolutely nothing wrong with the car and that it was ready to drive but we all know how reliable the seller's opinion of the car's condition can be...

Bigdot

carfax sucks and is not a good source.

Mark

85Cosworth

94firebirdv6- what is latest on your quest? I myself am picking up a 97 C36 w/80k miles for $13,800 on Saturday.

'94firebirdv6

well the dealer hasnt replied to the email i sent him 2 days ago asking about which dealership he had his car serviced at...since then i found a really nice silver c36 w/ 92000 miles on it and alot closer the seller is asking 13k for it, which is out of my price range, but my mom said she might help me out to save driving to new jersey....i also found another red c36 that is closer than the other one and the seller wants 10k for it. it has 19" rims and he said 2 tvs im assuming in the headrests. it is a very nice looking car, but the only thing is that it has 128000 miles....what do u guys think?

C43AMG

My personal opinion is that when I see cars that are all pimped/hooptied up is that the owner MAY...I repeat MAY..be more interested in the appearance of the car than the maintenance of it.However, if the owner can produce receipts for the necessary maintenance of it that would change my opinion.As always, buyer beware.Whatever you choose, good luck with your decision and post some pics of your purchase.

85Cosworth

Main thing is to have a inspection done by a mechanic who knows Mercedes. Mine works on nothing but Mercedes and often has the local Mercedes dealer doing work for them. I personally would lean more toward the one with 92k miles. My advice is go the local route and have them inspected.