New (to me) E320
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 413
Likes: 3
2003 E320
New (to me) E320
I have purchased an off lease 2003 320 E with few options (heated seats and sunroof). I paid full retail for the car but it was immaculate and had 15,400 miles on the clock. I am an older driver (55) and I would rather take a beating than return to a dealer service dept. Nevertheless, the car has 8 months of warranty remaining and obviously, I will not exceed the mileage limit. I read about the 2003 and bought one anyway so I guess I can't claim ignorance. The car is a joy to drive and has no issues that I am aware of. I have read the oil change interval debates, the SBC debates, the right pull dilema, radio problems etc.
The car was "serviced" by the dealer prior to transfer to me. The FSS? says 8,000 miles till the next oil change which I probably will not hit before the warranty expires.
I ran a carfax report and learned the mfg date, import date and placed in service date but I have no idea how many recall items have been performed and no information on TSB that MIGHT have been done. As I understand it, recalls are mandatory but TSB are issued as a guide to repair on an as needed basis. I can/ will perform normal maintenance on the car after the warranty expires. Can I get any info from the dealer service dept. about the history of the car? It appears that "service" on the car is included for the duration of the warranty. Can I assume that consumables like brakes, wipers, oil changes, etc. are not covered?
And finally, this is a New York car. I am a southerner and not familar with underbody corrision. The exhaust has some surface rust that I would not expect in the South. Are these components SS? If so, the car must have been driven extensively in the salt. Nothing else about the finish would indicate the same. Any preventative suggestions? Thanks for any help
The car was "serviced" by the dealer prior to transfer to me. The FSS? says 8,000 miles till the next oil change which I probably will not hit before the warranty expires.
I ran a carfax report and learned the mfg date, import date and placed in service date but I have no idea how many recall items have been performed and no information on TSB that MIGHT have been done. As I understand it, recalls are mandatory but TSB are issued as a guide to repair on an as needed basis. I can/ will perform normal maintenance on the car after the warranty expires. Can I get any info from the dealer service dept. about the history of the car? It appears that "service" on the car is included for the duration of the warranty. Can I assume that consumables like brakes, wipers, oil changes, etc. are not covered?
And finally, this is a New York car. I am a southerner and not familar with underbody corrision. The exhaust has some surface rust that I would not expect in the South. Are these components SS? If so, the car must have been driven extensively in the salt. Nothing else about the finish would indicate the same. Any preventative suggestions? Thanks for any help
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,636
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
I have purchased an off lease 2003 320 E with few options (heated seats and sunroof). I paid full retail for the car but it was immaculate and had 15,400 miles on the clock. I am an older driver (55) and I would rather take a beating than return to a dealer service dept. Nevertheless, the car has 8 months of warranty remaining and obviously, I will not exceed the mileage limit. I read about the 2003 and bought one anyway so I guess I can't claim ignorance. The car is a joy to drive and has no issues that I am aware of. I have read the oil change interval debates, the SBC debates, the right pull dilema, radio problems etc.
The car was "serviced" by the dealer prior to transfer to me. The FSS? says 8,000 miles till the next oil change which I probably will not hit before the warranty expires.
I ran a carfax report and learned the mfg date, import date and placed in service date but I have no idea how many recall items have been performed and no information on TSB that MIGHT have been done. As I understand it, recalls are mandatory but TSB are issued as a guide to repair on an as needed basis. I can/ will perform normal maintenance on the car after the warranty expires. Can I get any info from the dealer service dept. about the history of the car? It appears that "service" on the car is included for the duration of the warranty. Can I assume that consumables like brakes, wipers, oil changes, etc. are not covered?
And finally, this is a New York car. I am a southerner and not familar with underbody corrision. The exhaust has some surface rust that I would not expect in the South. Are these components SS? If so, the car must have been driven extensively in the salt. Nothing else about the finish would indicate the same. Any preventative suggestions? Thanks for any help
The car was "serviced" by the dealer prior to transfer to me. The FSS? says 8,000 miles till the next oil change which I probably will not hit before the warranty expires.
I ran a carfax report and learned the mfg date, import date and placed in service date but I have no idea how many recall items have been performed and no information on TSB that MIGHT have been done. As I understand it, recalls are mandatory but TSB are issued as a guide to repair on an as needed basis. I can/ will perform normal maintenance on the car after the warranty expires. Can I get any info from the dealer service dept. about the history of the car? It appears that "service" on the car is included for the duration of the warranty. Can I assume that consumables like brakes, wipers, oil changes, etc. are not covered?
And finally, this is a New York car. I am a southerner and not familar with underbody corrision. The exhaust has some surface rust that I would not expect in the South. Are these components SS? If so, the car must have been driven extensively in the salt. Nothing else about the finish would indicate the same. Any preventative suggestions? Thanks for any help
Congratulations and best of luck.
