khaiser

Hello,
I had a 2000 ML 430, but a tree fell on it during a storm, and caused some damage. Mostly small dents/scratches, otherwise the car held up well.

I am thinking of getting a 2000 E 430 4matic. I have located one that has 39k miles. What kind of things should I look out for.

Overall, would anyone here advise against buying this particular year/make/model?

Thanks for any help.
Khaiser

thebenzbar

I'm sure others will chime in to give their suggestions too, but at least the 2000 model year will have the facelifted look already if that's what you're looking for. Check service and maintenance records & documentation... especially oil & filter changes, trans fluid & filter changed yet?, MAF replaced?, rust & corrosion, and check all the power accessories to see if they work as they should. Do a search and you'll see plenty of threads on these topics... Get a PPI, it's worth it too. The engine is a workhorse and should last a long time if maintained and not neglected or abused. Good luck!

Ozcan

You should have no worries as it has only 39K if it has been properly maintained. As thebenzbar writes you should check the service and maintenance records. Even if they claim that oil+filter changed I would also change the oil and filter as soon as possible with Mobil 1 synthetic 0w-40 ($6.50 Wal-Mart) and fleece filter ($16.00) and very easy DIY.

khaiser

Ok, Thanks. This might sound stupid, but pardon my ignorance...

How can I get the service and maintenance records? Can I just call a MB dealer and get it, cause I don't think the dealer that I am buying from has them.

Thanks for all your help and input.

Khaiser

Musikmann

Not stupid at all and it has been asked before. Try to contact the dealer who did the maintenance for the original owner during the warranty period. That's what I did and they made me a copy of everything they did.

There is something called a VMI (vehicle master inquiry) that all MB dealers can access and will tell you quite a bit. However, some people encounter problems getting them from certain dealers who use a privacy excuse.

khaiser

Thanks, I will call my dealer on Monday and ask for the VMI.

Musikmann

You're welcome and good luck.

One more thing: if the previous owner paid out-of-pocket for some things, those might not appear on the VMI, or so I was told by that same dealer's service department. Ask them for a complete report, which I did, and they were more than happy to give me that too.

ohlord

getting this from a dealer?You are paying to much.You have insurance money,find a well maintained ,inspected private owner car and pay cash.
Where do you live? do you really need a 4 matic.
Low mile 2000 can be found in the 9g range,so shop around.

lkchris

All that appears on VMI is recalls performed and warranty work done. This is still good information.

Best thing to get from a dealer is a PPI, i.e. pre-purchase inspection.

Agree this car should cost you less, especially since it's a V8.

khaiser

9G's? Man, I have not seen any 2000 E430 4matics for 9G's I live in peoria, IL, but travel a bit to the Indiana, Ohio and Missouri area. I need either AWD or FWD, but I really don't like FWD.
The only place I have looked is auto trader.

patrick_y

Once you acquire the car, be sure to change the front and rear differential fluids, these are sometimes overlooked.

thebenzbar

True that. It's hard to find a good low-priced deal given the logistics... not every area will have a no-brainer deal laying around. And it's obvious most dealers are still pricing theirs at a high pricepoint and continuous wheelin-dealin' can be a tiring stressful process for some buyers out there. A 2000 E430 4matic is still a very nice car so hopefully this low mileage example you found will be a joy to own...

ohlord

quite a few 4matics 99-00 in 80k mile range in the 9g price range
99' e320 4matic benz sedan - $8500 85k miles
do you need a 430?
lots of nice 4matic wagons
ohlord

pvel

you didn't say how much you are getting this e430 for. It has pretty low miles, so that is a plus.

khaiser

Thanks for all the info. 80k miles is double the miles compared to the one I am getting. I don't mind paying a few extra G's for low mileage.
I am getting it for $15700, and it includes a 4yr/48k warranty, that covers all major components. The warranty is through Auto Services Warranty company.
The car has 39k miles. I am planning on picking it up the week after next. Just mailed a deposit to the dealer.

Khaiser

Musikmann

If that is a good warranty it is worth up to $6000 list price. I just paid about $3200 for 3 years/36,000 and 4/48,000 would have been $4200. However I have 71,000 miles on a 2001 car so it's hard to compare. I was told these prices were at about a 30% discount (different aftermarket company). Good Luck!

ohlord

that a member just picked up an 02 with under 40 k miles that is why I suggested you shop around.40k miles on a well maintained 00 is not reason to overpay 5 g.If it has been maintained you will never see 5 g of work done on it in ten years of proper maint.

Musikmann

Not arguing with you ohlord but,

1) khaiser does not yet know how it was maintained and may never know.

2) Figuring on dealer parts/labor it doesn't take much to drop $1000.

3) Presumably, if the dealer is selling the warranty, they accept what they pay, less any decuctibles.

ohlord

inspected private party cars have always been the best bet in my opinion,get to know the owner,you can weed out the bs'rs from the real admirers and find out much more about the car and its history.I understand people find comfort in dealer cars but they were all private party cars before being traded in and the dealers are notorious for not really caring what is turned in and I hate to see people driving away upside down on a deal.40k or 80 k maintained will both be the same car just more broken in

Musikmann

Agreed ohlord, and I think you'll agree we are on opposite ends of the DIY vs. buy a warranty and let a dealer do it debate.

I don't think most people can get to know the owner well enough during a bargain with him/her to tell how well they took care of the car. You know cars very well and probably can. Sure there are exceptions, like the person who offers you a manila folder of service receipts; or the relative or close friend you can just trust.

I also agree with you about what most of the dealers are selling. Used cars to them is just raw meat they need to sell at some level of profit, nothing more. And I also concede that to be upside down on a deal is a bad thing.

khaiser

I agree about the private party cars to some extent. I think in IL you actually pay less sales tax on a private party car. Since my car is totaled, and the insurance company will be sending me a check this week, I don't have alot of time. Also, this car is one of my top color choices, white/light gray leather interior. I also like the fact that it is a one owner car. I still need to get the VMI on monday. I just have not found anything better online.

One other thing, how difficult is it to hook up an IPOD to this car?
I could not get it done in my 2000 ML430

Thanks, and pics will follow when I get the car. Also, if anyone has wheels they want to sell, please let me know.

Musikmann

I think that might depend on which head unit you have. Try a search on the Audio & Electronics forum to see what's there.