Vito53

Hello all, I'm a newbie to mercedes (Hoping to buy a e430), and have been looking for a while. One has came up about 90 miles today, and I went and looked at it. The pictures of course made it look a lot better than it was, but its definitely in salvagable condition, and I'm fairly handy overall. A few issues though. It has a tps code, and I could clear it to get the engine to run at full power for a bit (confirmed tps wasn't working correctly by checking on throttle % while driving), and it had a check engine light, but I cleared it (only way I could make it run like it didn't have 20hp). Apparently it needs struts (they felt fine to me), and tires as well. Also, it would rattle around 1000 rpm specifically. Price is 3400 currently with 120k on the clock, but they're willing to haggle. Oh, and unsurpringly, a broken window regulator, and rust is surprisingly minor all things considered. Based on everything I've described, pass, or haggle, and if so, what are the issues that the car might have?

raymond g-

Well, if we're theorizing on the condition of a 20 year old car, just how accurate would it be over the keyboard and
sight unseen....which would be a meaningful assessment? Just about zero. It'll depend on the care the car
received during that duration. So, just like you would for any as-is, used car, get it in for a thorough pre-purchase
inspection. Having a 38 pin code reader which is MB compliant would be good as well.

Mercedessource is a good source of videos on Youtube and he excels on used, older MBs
https://mercedessource.com/problems

Vito53

Well I've physically looked at the car, and it seems like it's been an issue with other cars as well. I wasn't expecting a definitive answer, but more of a narrowed down list of possible issues that other forum members may have delt with

raymond g-

If it is, as you say, severely neglected, all bets are off anyway and only hands and eyes on assessment, assisted by SDS diagnotics would be the priority. The $3500 is ridiculously overpriced based on your description alone. Read up on the Technical Service Bulletins for the year/model. The problematic issues can be deal breakers. The transmission and engine can be solid designs but again, care and neglect will make/break the transaction. At best, it's a parts car.

https://www.benzworld.org/threads/0-...order.1720154/

chassis

@Vito53 Why do you want this car? For daily use or a hobby car?

Vito53

Those are some service records from the first owner. Unfortunately it seemed like the ding dong second owner was more rough on the car

Vito53

Mainly as a second daily car/hobby car. I've always loved the e430 since I drove one, and they're hard to find close by unfortunately

Vito53

Transmission was flushed around 40k (so at least once thankfully) and valve covers were most recently changed around 45k, as were the spark plugs then

E55Greasemonkey

It's a $200 to $1500 car.

Vito53

Have you seen the car personally? It's in Chantilly VA

E55Greasemonkey

No, just basing that on your description. Post some interior and exterior pics for us.

Vito53

https://www.audichantilly.com/used/M...9b9bb079fa.htm
There's the link for it, I should've taken photos as their photos do it more justice than it deserves

190Efan

I agree with raymond g- that a pre purchase inspection is crucial because there's nothing more expensive than a cheap MB.

Vito53

The funny thing, is they're right next to a Mercedes dealership (audi dealer)

chassis

Offer $300 and walk away if they don't say yes.

They are trying to sell you on a detail job. Looks washed, possibly waxed and the wheels look buffed. Other than that it is a bucket of bolts.

Sits crooked (might be the struts as you mentioned)
headlamps mismatched and fogged
front passenger door window out
trunk ornament cracked
very tired interior
plus the stuff you mentioned
plus the stuff you don't know about yet

E55Greasemonkey

Thanks for posting the link. It's a $500 car at best. It will cost more to fix than it's worth. Just the title transfer and registration fees alone will be money wasted. Add to that the $700 "dealer fee" they're gonna bang you with.....

Vito53

Well that's scathing enough for me haha. I really want one of these cars, sucks the only ones that come up are grossly overpriced, or severely neglected. Are the w211s as reliable other than the air struts possibly going out?

E55Greasemonkey

Which specific 211 model will you be looking at? Each one has it's own quirks, problems, and certain model years to avoid.

Vito53

As a second car, most likely just an e500 (as the e550s that would be in my price range would be clapped out I'm sure). I'd prefer a v8 as I currently have an inline 6 s80, and want something a bit more exciting

190Efan

I've also been reading in recent months that the newer 63 AMGs are less reliable and more expensive to fix than their older 55 AMG counterparts are. I don't know if or how that might apply to 211s in general. I will also say that the automotive press has never been a fan of the W210 either but there are owners in various MB forums who've put hundreds of thousands of miles on them and absolutely love them. I guess the bottom line in purchasing any multi-owner car is "buyer beware".

chassis

All the recent AMG V8s have problems that can lead to engine grenade:

6.2L NA M156 head bolts
5.5L TT M157 and M278 cylinder scoring/scuffing and valve guides
4.0L TT M177 unsolved misfires

W211 and W212 used the M156, M157 and M278 engines.

Wassaby

I agree. That's a $500 car.

illest

Not associated with these sellers at all but

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...3661076137146/

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...7685529108974/