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Friend of mine wants to get rid of a 2001 CL500 he got from his grandmother that's just taking up space. Has only 29500 miles with a full service history, minor scratches (missing passenger mirror glass) etc. Has been sitting for at least a year without running. Put in a new battery and seems to run alright. He's willing to sell it to me for $1500.
Question 1: Is it worth taking on? I would primarily use it for the occasional trip up and down I-95 and taking it out once a week to keep it in good shape. We have a primary daily driver ('15 taco), I'm comfortable doing small maintenance jobs (e.g. oil changes and various filters) on my own. But this would be my first benz purchase.
Question 2: Say it is worth taking on, what should I have a mechanic look at and change up (e.g., fluids etc.) before finalizing the purchase?
Friend of mine wants to get rid of a 2001 CL500 he got from his grandmother that's just taking up space. Has only 29500 miles with a full service history, minor scratches (missing passenger mirror glass) etc. Has been sitting for at least a year without running. Put in a new battery and seems to run alright. He's willing to sell it to me for $1500.
Question 1: Is it worth taking on? I would primarily use it for the occasional trip up and down I-95 and taking it out once a week to keep it in good shape. We have a primary daily driver ('15 taco), I'm comfortable doing small maintenance jobs (e.g. oil changes and various filters) on my own. But this would be my first benz purchase.
Question 2: Say it is worth taking on, what should I have a mechanic look at and change up (e.g., fluids etc.) before finalizing the purchase?
Thanks!
For $1500 I would not even take it to a mechanic first - Just buy it.....Then you can start getting things checked out and repaired if required...
For $1500 I would not even take it to a mechanic first - Just buy it.....Then you can start getting things checked out and repaired if required...
Yeah, thanks for this. Full-disclosure it'd be my future father-in-law selling it to me--hence the low-ball "deal." Of course, that means if I do take it on, I'm obliged to keep it up for a bit. Took it to a good local indy mechanic yesterday, says it's in good shape except for some weeping around the transmission sleeve and the valve covers. One thing I asked him to check was the condition of the ABC system, and I ideally wanted him to do a full system flush. He said that it's in great shape and "it'd be crime" to charge me to flush the fluids.
Long Story short: I'm buying it. The really question is when should I demand an ABC flush and change? In 15k miles? Sooner?
Yeah, thanks for this. Full-disclosure it'd be my future father-in-law selling it to me--hence the low-ball "deal." Of course, that means if I do take it on, I'm obliged to keep it up for a bit. Took it to a good local indy mechanic yesterday, says it's in good shape except for some weeping around the transmission sleeve and the valve covers. One thing I asked him to check was the condition of the ABC system, and I ideally wanted him to do a full system flush. He said that it's in great shape and "it'd be crime" to charge me to flush the fluids.
Long Story short: I'm buying it. The really question is when should I demand an ABC flush and change? In 15k miles? Sooner?
Keep checking the colour of the ABC oil. As long as it stays "light green" in clour I would not change it completely. From most comments from ABC owners: Change ABC filter , drain one or two liters of the ABC oil, and replace with fresh oil. No need to do a full flush. (Have been doing this for several years)
Keep checking the colour of the ABC oil. As long as it stays "light green" in clour I would not change it completely. From most comments from ABC owners: Change ABC filter , drain one or two liters of the ABC oil, and replace with fresh oil. No need to do a full flush. (Have been doing this for several years)
Thanks for this! One quick rookie question: Is there a link to a how-to guide for draining just a few litres of the ABC oil? I've seen more in depth walkthroughs for bleeding etc. Also, about how often do you drain and fill? Quarterly?
Thanks for this! One quick rookie question: Is there a link to a how-to guide for draining just a few litres of the ABC oil? I've seen more in depth walkthroughs for bleeding etc. Also, about how often do you drain and fill? Quarterly?
I use a small oil suction pump. Remove oil dip stick - and suck out approx. 1/2 liter - replace with fresh oil - suck out 1/2 liter again, etc. If you suck out too much at a time, you might get air in your system. Quarterly should do it - providing you don't drive 50.000 Miles in a quarter..
Jesus $1,500? Just buy it at that price. Worsts case the ABC is shot and you can replace it with coil overs from strut master. A good detail will buff out the small scratches. Have all the fluids changed and for sub $5,000 you have a perfect low mileage $12,000 car. Pics?
Sorry for the delay, ice-storm and all. In the end I did "buy" it, meaning it'll be something keep up to snuff for a while. As my FFinL said it's now my monkey and my circus to manage. Speaking of which, it looks like the ABC fluid is more than a bit old (less green and more brownish-green, like it's got sinusitis). So, first thing I've gotta do is find someone who can do a full flush on it. Otherwise, it just needs new tires and a decent once-over to buff out the scratches etc.
Anyhow, thanks to y'all for helping out with the decision. I'm sure I'll be back on here sooner than later! Pics attached.
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