Pre Purchase Inspection
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 516
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From: Iowa
'03 G500, '11 S550 4Matic, '12 SL63 AMG, '13 ML350, '16 AMG GTS Ed. 1
Pre Purchase Inspection
I have found an 01 CLK55 I'm seriously considering to replace my 430. It is located a few hours from me and I would like to have a PPI done prior to looking at it, but I have never had this done before.
Can anyone give any insight as the best way to approach this. The owners of the car have offer to set one up for me, which I thought was a good sign, but then thought, maybe they know the guy. I just want to make sure it is objective and impartial. Any help is appreciated.
Thank you!
Can anyone give any insight as the best way to approach this. The owners of the car have offer to set one up for me, which I thought was a good sign, but then thought, maybe they know the guy. I just want to make sure it is objective and impartial. Any help is appreciated.
Thank you!
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 290
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From: SF Bay Area
'05 E55
I'd avoid someone they recommend. I'd have someone objective do it. Unless you're willing to spend more than $150, you might not get much of an inspection either. You might also consider a MBZ dealership, especially if its still under warranty.
Post where the car is located and maybe someone can recommend a shop near by.
Post where the car is located and maybe someone can recommend a shop near by.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
'03 G500, '11 S550 4Matic, '12 SL63 AMG, '13 ML350, '16 AMG GTS Ed. 1
In your experiences, can you simply call the dealer ahead of time to schedule a PPI? I live a few hours away and wanted this done PRIOR to looking at the car. Don't mind spending more than $150, if it can save me $$ in the long run and a series of headaches. Small price to pay for prevention.
The car is located in Fishers, Indiana. If anyone has any knowledge of dealers or indy shops, I would be greatly apprciative! There is still waranty until at least 04/04/05. The owners also said they are taking it in to have the instrument cluster replaced as some of the "dots" in the panel no longer light up.
They sent me 13 pictures and it looks very clean, but you can only tell so much from pictures.
Thanks for the help!
The car is located in Fishers, Indiana. If anyone has any knowledge of dealers or indy shops, I would be greatly apprciative! There is still waranty until at least 04/04/05. The owners also said they are taking it in to have the instrument cluster replaced as some of the "dots" in the panel no longer light up.
They sent me 13 pictures and it looks very clean, but you can only tell so much from pictures.
Thanks for the help!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 516
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From: Iowa
'03 G500, '11 S550 4Matic, '12 SL63 AMG, '13 ML350, '16 AMG GTS Ed. 1
Got ahold of Euro Motorworks and they are doing it Monday morning. They are, oddly enough, located .7 miles form the car and they do not know the owners. Their website shows a very nice facility, so I am going with them after a good conversation over the phone. It is costing $225 for the inspection, but should be worth every penny. They said if they had the car by 10am, they would have it back by the end of the day...that's one hell of an inspection! The gentleman will email me a copy of what they found, or fax, and will then call me to discuss each item, line by line, on the report. They sounded very competent and thorough...at least over the phone!
Their website is www.euromotorworks.com if anyone ever has the need as I did. I have no affiliation with them in any way.
Tuesday morning, it will travel to the dealer for warranty work. Will the dealer simply "fix/repair" items from the PPI list, or will they fight me on some of the items? I have never had warranty work done in this exact situation and am wondering what I might be in for.
Thanks for everyone's help!
Their website is www.euromotorworks.com if anyone ever has the need as I did. I have no affiliation with them in any way.
Tuesday morning, it will travel to the dealer for warranty work. Will the dealer simply "fix/repair" items from the PPI list, or will they fight me on some of the items? I have never had warranty work done in this exact situation and am wondering what I might be in for.
Thanks for everyone's help!
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 290
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From: SF Bay Area
'05 E55
Depends on the dealer and what problems exist. At some point before the warranty expires, I'd suggest taking it in and have them check out the major components and known problems with the W208. Do a search here and you'll find the most common ones. See if you're suffering from them and have them addressed.I'd also do that research before you go see the car. Might give you more bargining power. If you have a good relationship with a particular dealer they might do a thorough check out of the car for you. Of course I'd do this all at a dealer near you. Don't want things discovered several hours from home.
