citruspilot

1997 E420, 155,000 miles, one owner, NC vehicle since new. I bought this car in October 2006. I dont use it as I thought and I am selling it for lack of use. I am an airline pilot and dont drive it enough to justify keeping it. I have a 2005 Mustang GT and 2002 Ford Explorer so paying for insurance on a car I dont drive is really silly. I bought it on impulse.

I had some computer issues and spent over $600.00 on labor and parts tracking down the problem. After taking the car to MB for a diagnosis they suggested I flush the motor. The problem was nothing that a few cans of SeaFoam could'nt fix. I guess some of the emission probes were dirty. The engine code light has never come on again. I have driven the car about 900 miles since then. I needed to get the car inspected and it passed with no problems after that.

This car is in very good condition. There are no accidents noted on the Carfax that I pulled. I have it for inspection. The car options work as they should. I have replaced the radiator, a coil and spark plug and trunk emblem. I even purchased a servicable ECM for the car during my computer escapade. It is included.

The car is white with grey interior. The trunk switch/mirror switch console unit needs to be replaced. The mirror switch knob broke off and the remote trunk button is missing. This part was priced on Ebay for $117.00. I just didnt replace it. Other than that the 420 is a good 8 out of 10. The paint is excellent. I believe that parts of the car have been repainted. The paint work is of very high quality with no runs or spots. As I mentioned there is no history of accidents or anything derogatory on the Carfax from Oct 2006.

I have the car in Charlotte, N.C. I have the title. I am asking a fair $8,700 for this beautiful car. I wont take much less as I am losing money at this point. Not your problem, its mine. This car is just too nice to be worth much less.

If your interested give me a call. (704) 661-2764. My name is Jeff. I have a photo but it wont upload, too large. I will gladly take as many shots of this car and email them to anyone who is interested.

Thanks for your time and consideration.

citruspilot

HHHmmm? Maybe $8,700 is too high? Maybe the miles are too high? If so lets hear some price suggestions, I just may let this go at the right amount......

Jeff

citruspilot

OK, lets try this approach. I would like to sell this car. Its very, very nice. What would you offer? Not an ebay style auction just looking for some interest.

PS: The computer problem mentioned above "HAS BEEN FIXED" and there are no more issues. That was a few months ago so if thats worrysome to you its not an issue. The car has nothing wrong. Also the a/c compressor has recently been changed because it looks like new. The car has a clean carfax. There have been no accidents reported and its a one owner car until I bought it. So hope this clears-up any questions.

Jeff

citruspilot

TTT

Jeff

hubert

Pic. would help a lot, and if the car is in great condition i dont think you asking too much, those cars run forever.

citruspilot

It "is" a great looking car. Finally I took some pics yesterday in the sunlight. Here are some exterior shots............

I'll post some of the interior in the next post..........

Jeff

citruspilot

Heres the interior.

The interior appears to have a discolored brownish tint in these photos. It doesnt. The camera did this. Its a very clean and well cared for car!

Jeff

citruspilot

And others.............

citruspilot

Still more. Now no one can say I didnt post enough pictures of it.

OK, I'll stop now!!



Jeff

citruspilot

Ok, if I dont sell the car I'll just keep it.

I need some good wheels for this baby. Anybody want to sell some wheels? Actually I'd like to trade the car and cash for a 1999/2000 E430. Thats what I really want.

Jeff

citruspilot

bump...............anybody wanta buy this car??

Jeff

ProV1

what is your absolute bottom line price? if it's reasonable, you might want to bite the bullet and list it on ebay with no reserve. if you take tons of pics and give a good description, you might get $7000. if i sell my 97 E420 i'll list it on ebay w/ no reserve.

citruspilot

Actually, I was hoping for more than $7,000. I bought it from a dealer auction in October and paid $7,700. I have spent about $800.00 on it since not including sales tax and tag transfer. I just spent another $100.00 on it today for a new console window/mirror switch.

I've replaced the radiator and antifreeze, changed the oil, installed two coils and the plugs, new oil dip stick, new trunk emblem, bought a servicable ECM which it didnt need, have had the car diagnosed at the local MB dealership at the cost of $225.00, had the car inspected and its as clean as a whistle. I believe that $7,000 is a low figure. But hey, what do I know?

I'll entertain an offer in the low $8,000's.............

If it doesnt sell thats OK too. Im not in a hurry. I'll just spend more money on it, invest in newer style larger wheels and drive it till the paint falls off. At least thats what my wife told me to do!!

Jeff

boylston

It's a good thing you are not in a hurry, but the car isn't going to go up in value either. No offense, but you seem to be talking to yourself in this thread, not a lot of interest in your E.

I speak from experience. I have a beautiful 1997 S320 with 70,000 miles. I've tried to get $9,500 (I paid over $50,000 when almost new) and I can't even get anyone to look at the pics!

citruspilot

Thats what the wife says. She tells me I am always talking to myself.......

Hey, I resemble that remark!

End of subject............

Jeff

ProV1

pilot, listen to your wife..

besides, i don't see much benefit in upgrading from you 97 E420 to 99-01 E430 sport b/c there will be very little differences.

if your E420 is running well, you should "freshen" up the car a bit, ala getting new 17 or 18" wheels, tires, and also consider getting new wood/leather steering wheel and shift knob. Also, get a top quality professional detail job. it'll feel like a new car.

my E420 has 110k miles, run perfect but has rust problems. it's probably worth only $6500-7000 so i'm going to drive the car for 3 more years.