bcbudd

Hi everyone! So I am selling my 370Z soon and will be purchasing a used 2009 C63 AMG at $21,000~

It has 98,000 miles and is clean title.

Anything I should ask him about that happen at around >~100,000 miles on these motors? Thanks!

Also, how much do the iPE exhausts go for from a 3rd party seller?

Farooq_63

If you do some research, you will find that headbolts will be your major concern

bcbudd

Jesus.. just read about it.. $10k for a rebuild on it from a shop, and 42k from dealership?

That's ridiculous.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...ne-repair.html

Farooq_63

Best to find a 2012+ model

bhamg

Market cost these days depending upon who does it and by which method runs between $3k and $5.5k.

bcbudd

Not too bad then.

Would a pre-caution error pop up when running a carfax if it were to need a replacement?

bhamg

What's a quarter going for these days?

bhamg

No. For most here it's a pre-emptive strike.

Farooq_63

you can run the VIN on here with a member and he can tell you if its infected . I just cant remember the members name

bcbudd

Think you could try and remember by chance? Or if any other member recognizes him?

BLKROKT

It doesn't matter. ALL 2009 are affected.

bcbudd

I understand, but it'd be nice to know if it was replaced or not.

BLKROKT

The only way you could know for sure is to look at them. See if the seller will let you take off the valve covers.

Or if the seller (assuming it's the original owner) has a receipt to show that they were replaced. Or MB dealer has a record of it.

Every single 09 came out of the factory with bad headbolts, and virtually none were replaced preemptively. MB denies that it's even a problem.

bhamg

Just ask the seller.

bcbudd

The seller is in California, I am in Arizona. Would I be able to call an MB dealer and give them the VIN and find out if they were replaced?

I asked the seller, and he said "I believe so." as he's the second owner, which doesn't help. I asked him to look through receipts and let me know.

BLKROKT

A VIN search will only tell you if MB has a record of doing it themselves, and I can't remember hearing of anyone getting theirs done preemptively by a dealer. You're more likely to find an engine replacement than a preemptive headbolt replacement. Most go and get it done at an indy because they're the only ones who will take on the job with the heads in place (the "one at a time" method).

C63fora2w1

I'd like to try and give you some helpful and friendly advise. That 09 C63 with 98,000 miles is probably not your best buy. I understand that your probably looking to get into a C63 for less money but you have to factor in many things that i'm sure you haven't thought of yet.

1. This has been stated but Head bolts.. all cars 2011 (some exceptions apply) and older have this problem and its not a matter of IF but When. The salvage value on an m156 motor is 18k and a transmission is around 8k.

2. Mercedes are awesome cars and the C63 is pretty reliable but you really don't want to own one of these cars without a warranty especially if a 3-5k repair bill would break your bank. Repairs on a Mercedes are thousands not hundreds like your Nissan. Mercedes parts are very expensive.

3. Maintenance costs.. you can expect to spend 800-1000 a year on service. Then you have to factor in tires.. my last set of tires lasted 6k miles and a replacement set is 800-1k. Then there is gas and insurance..something that I forgot to factor in before I purchased my car. I'm currently paying $260/mo for the C63 and a Honda civic. Gas runs me about 40-50 a week.

So to summarize your much better buying a 2012+ or newer car that does not have any head bolt issues and will more than likely have a warranty. The best option is a Certified Pre-Owned car if you can find one. You can find a 2012 in the mid to low 30's depending on options just look on auto trader. If your patient and willing to travel and wait for the right car you will find a deal. In the mean time save your money for a good down payment. These cars were 80-90k new so take that into consideration. Best of luck in your search.

bcbudd

Thank you for the notes! My 370Z definitely wasn't cheap due to me purchasing it as salvaged, so I definitely do spend a large amount on maintenance, but definitely does not compare to a C63.

Anyways, I just ran a VIN check on it, if anyone cares to take a look at them?

bcbudd

He told me that replacements for it would be at around 130,000 miles, and it would cost about $1500 (1000$ for parts and $500 for labor)

Just wondering if he's telling me factual information, or false?

BLKROKT

False on all of it. Unless he can tell the future, there's no way of knowing until they snap. And it's at least triple that cost to replace preemptively, much more if they let go.

bcbudd

Thank you for that. Definitely don't want to deal with a seller who lies about information to get rid of the car.

C63fora2w1

During my search I called my Mercedes dealership and gave them the VIN # of a car I was looking at. I asked them how much to change head bolts. They worked up a quote and called me back... the estimate was $6500..

So BLKROKT is absolutely correct.

bcbudd

Were they able to identify through the VIN if they did the replacement already?

C63fora2w1

In this particular case no but if ot had been done at a MB dealership there would have been a record. If its done at an indy shop all bets are off unless they have documentation.

QWKSNKE

No disrespect, but outside of #1, there is a lot of false info there.
I have owned my car for 3 years and I have had only 1 repair bill and it was $800 which included the repair (ignition switch replacement) and oil change.
If you drive the car as much as I drive mine (around 10k miles/yr) you are guaranteed to replace rear tires twice a year. I run Michelin pilot super sports and use the mileage warranty they offer to get replacements from $140 to $200 total.

If you find a car that has had the head bolts replaced and you have the least bit of mechanical ability, warranty is a waste of money