titans99

As the title states, I am about to test the waters and put my car on the market. It is a 2009 C63 with 108K miles. I am the 2nd owner, and it has been dealer maintained since new. I have every single receipt for everything that has been done to the car, all performed at a Mercedes Benz dealer. All oil changes have been done at half intervals, and other services on time and per the recommended schedules, including diff service, tranny service, brake flush, coolant flush, etc. I know the first question is always "have the headbolts been replaced?". They have not, but considering the mileage and service history, should this truly be a concern? It seems as though the true numbers of headbolt failures are in the 3-5% range, and it seems to happen on cars that sit a lot (low mileage queens) and allow the bolts to corrode, and not really that high of a failure rate on the higher mileage cars. So, with all that said, should I get an Indy to do a "one at a time" replacement of the headbolts before I sell it, or is the issue not enough of a worry on this car to be worth doing it before listing? The car has been one of the best cars I have ever owned, and I'm truly torn on moving on, but I have other Bucket List cars that still need to be checked off the list and I can't keep it forever.

The Machinist

If you want an easy sale, replace the bolts.

regardless of the low failure rate or the regular use theory, these engines that have the old head bolts all suffer from the same stigma failed or not.

hachiroku

all head bolts fail if they are of the previous design...any buyer will be deterred by that.

can't imagine what bucket list of cars you plan to find better. if you do sell, good luck with sale.

roadkillrob

If I was looking, I would just take anything you are asking, reduce the price by 5k for headbolts, but 90% of the world doesn't even know headbolts are an issue or would know to ask, only if you find a buyer on this forum will anyone ask you.

roadkillrob

Browser double posted for some reason ignore.

AMG6.3

R8 V10 Plus
992 Porsche
M5C

These are the three cars next on my list.

Jasonoff

Can't be unseen...

titans99

”All head bolts fail” is a pretty bold statement. Any that are changed preventatively don’t fail, all the cars that may suffer some other catastrophic failure might not fail. I guess if nothing else fails on the car, then at some point they are likely, but I would refrain from saying they all fail. Sorry, I just had to say that.

Regarding the bucket list, as someone has already stated some of the same cars, R8, 911, AMG GT, and possibly others are on that list. I will say the C63 is an amazing car, and if I can come up with some more garage space, I will keep it.

hachiroku

no, its an absolute fact...all previous design head studs WILL FAIL. it is only a matter of time before the coolant corrodes the material for the metal to give way. replying with, if it was changed prior to failure means it didn't fail is really just trying to dig an argument when one doesn't exist. the response was in terms of in service parts.

titans99

honestly not trying to argue. Just saying there are many other things that could happen and in all honesty, at some point all mechanical items WILL FAIL. I appreciate your comment and knowledge and by no means was I trying to argue. I guess the tricky part is you never know when it could happen.