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Recently I've been looking for a new car, and was really keen on getting an E55 or CLS55. However, they are so overpriced at the moment, and with my family tradition of buying cars from the salvage auction, I realized that CLS 550 would be marginally cheaper with more features, about the same speed, and way less miles and way newer.
So here I am, CLS 550 in the garage. 74k miles, smoker owned, and with some minor exterior damage on the quarter panel. No biggie, all the drive systems work flawlessly AFAIK. However, there a few things I've noticed that I'm not sure of.
1. After my first test drive around the block, when you let off the gas after a mid-full throttle pull, it still continues accelerating for about 0.5 second. Is it supposed to do that, or is it something with my throttle body or throttle pedal?
2. The hood on the left side is sitting about 1/4 inch too high, and the gap between the bumper and hood is about 5/8 inch. I looked at the cars history and there were no accidents on the record aside from the quarter panel damage I bought the car for. Possible hit and run that wasn't reported? Not sure.
3. My car has keyless entry, but no Push Start button. IIRC keyless entry and push to start go hand in hand, yes? Is there a way to check if I'm just missing the button?
4. Is there any way to view fuel remaining range or just a readout of how many gallons are left in the tank?
Most likely the car has been doctored up. I personally hate Copart. They allow this to happen. Most unfortunate part is that paid YouTubers keep perpetuating the problem showing how they found a gem there. Yeah, right. With just a quarter panel damage, this car would not be sitting on Copart or IAAI unless you got it with clean title? But then again, why would a clean title be listed there? Start with googling the VIN number. Or better yet, purchase a copart/ iaai report. for $4 I used to be buying carfax/iaai... reports from vinfaxcar.ru but am not sure if you can use them now due to the war.
1) It probably shouldn't. Any idea if there is a ECU tune on it?
2) Prior to finding the car I bought, every CLS I looked at, about 6, had hood/bumper alignment issues. Are you sure the left side hood latch is engaging? It being hit, or it hitting something, doesn't mean a report is generated. Best of luck getting that QP sorted.
3) Don't know if KLE and PTS come together or are separate options, but does seem logical they'd be packaged together. You should be able to contact Mercedes NA, provide the VIN, and have them generate the build sheet for the car.
4) I don't think so, but to be honest I've never really checked.
Most likely the car has been doctored up. I personally hate Copart. They allow this to happen. Most unfortunate part is that paid YouTubers keep perpetuating the problem showing how they found a gem there. Yeah, right. With just a quarter panel damage, this car would not be sitting on Copart or IAAI unless you got it with clean title? But then again, why would a clean title be listed there? Start with googling the VIN number. Or better yet, purchase a copart/ iaai report. for $4 I used to be buying carfax/iaai... reports from vinfaxcar.ru but am not sure if you can use them now due to the war.
I've seen plenty of cars that have been partially fixed up to make a quick buck, only to have plenty of issues on the inside. They all have previous auction history, someone bought the car with an insane amount of damage, straightened it out mostly, and now is reauctioning it expecting to make a few quick grand from an unsuspecting auction newbie. All that from just a little bit of time on the frame machine. I've looked on every vincheck I know and this car doesn't have any previous damage or salvage history aside from the auction I bought it from. (IAA btw) Also, I did find that it actually has more damage, but still not a big deal. The right side A-pillar looks like a tree fell on it or something, there are scratches going from the front of the hood all the way to the mid-roof area. Either something fell on the car or previous owner drove into a closing garage or something. From a professional insurance standpoint, I see how repainting almost half the car and replacing BOTH entire quarter panels could make it a total loss. However for me, it's a $1500 repair at most. A proper repair mind you, not a "just fill it with bondo" job.
Originally Posted by ss3964spd
1) It probably shouldn't. Any idea if there is a ECU tune on it?
2) Prior to finding the car I bought, every CLS I looked at, about 6, had hood/bumper alignment issues. Are you sure the left side hood latch is engaging? It being hit, or it hitting something, doesn't mean a report is generated. Best of luck getting that QP sorted.
3) Don't know if KLE and PTS come together or are separate options, but does seem logical they'd be packaged together. You should be able to contact Mercedes NA, provide the VIN, and have them generate the build sheet for the car.
4) I don't think so, but to be honest I've never really checked.
Not sure if there is an ECU tune, I don't really know how to check. Aside from the painted wheels and calipers it seems completely stock. It's possible the latch isn't engaging, the hood moves pretty freely on that side. Not a pressing issue so whatever, I'm gonna go to a MB dealer and ask if they can see any current or previous frame damage. If the answer to the latter is no, then I'm not bothered.
Originally Posted by Ryan B.
Use this VIN look up site. It provides the car's order deets by options. Quite helpful.
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