Xk42

Found a rebuilt salvaged 2013 E350 for 9k at 80k miles
https://en.bidfax.info/mercedes-benz...9da729715.html
Originally I was going to buy a 2012 200k for 7k, however this seems to be a much better deal with the low mileage.

From the photos, it doesn't even look like it was from a crash. Looks like it's been vandalized or parts stolen.

They replaced the headlight and the grill, but I don't like the grill that they replaced with. It's the AMG one or the one that looks like a C class.

juanmor40

The bumper/grill combo is original.. See datacard attached.

It seems vandalism, but there is a good amount of $$$ parts missing up front. Once bought and installed, you may be close to 12K+ overall. How much is a used one with a similar package (simply optioned) and no work to be completed? worth the risk?

DFWdude

This car is already sold at $5,900 (with grille and headlights missing).

You must want to buy an MB really bad to grossly overpay for a car with a salvage receipt.

Xk42

They fixed it already and sold it for 9k. At 80k miles with only grille and headlight missing? Wouldn't it be a bargain? For something similar that isn't salvaged cost around 17k.

DFWdude

Check your link again. It says SOLD at last bid of $5,900.

And even that is TOO MUCH for a car without a clean, conventional title.

Xk42

That's the old link. Some guy purchased it, fixed it up and sold it within 4-5 hours. Plus he sold it for 10k since apparently there were multiple people interested.

juanmor40

Likely the purchaser had the original parts available at his fingertips? That car has different headlight options (halogen, Xenon), and if you get the wrong ones, you need further work to make them behave consistently. plus all the missing hardware in the front end.

One thing is the car looking OK, and the other is the car being OK. There is plenty of $$ in between.

DFWdude

Why did you post the old link? I couldn't find the final price link. I re-entered the VIN at the top and it returned SOLD at $5900.

If there is another link, I'd like to see it. Otherwise I will stick with all my previous remarks...

Xk42

They sold and deleted the post. It was on a facebook car selling group page.

Plus I wouldn't post an ad that is currently active because by chance someone could be around the area and flip it. In the last 2 weeks, I found two great deals that someone bought the car and relisted it for 1.5x the amount. I know chances are miniscule but it could happen. Just like that post that you commented on for the 200k e350, I didn't want to post the link for that too.

Oh and I'm sorry it might sounds like I'm being an ***. I really do appreciate you looking out for me and making sure I'm not paying more than I need to. I never bought a salvaged or a rebuilt car and I don't think I ever will. I was just curious to see what people thinks of the deal and it's a learning curve.

KEY08

Insuring any car with a salvage title is difficult unless you insure with a hack co.

AllPhonesAretap

NGL, I think this is to make it more difficult to keep older cars on the road. This forces people to buy cars the government has more control over. Soon they're going to make it that police disable your vehicle when you get pulled over. The government hates when people successfully run from them, it makes them look incompetent.

cetialpha5

Give up on trying to score a deal, if you do, it will probably turn out not to be a deal. I would use cargurus.com and search for a car in a 500 mile radius. Use the vin decoder to see what options a car really has. Don't bother with high mileage or salvage vehicles. There were a few extended warranties on the W211 but not on the W212 but if there were later, usually salvage isn't included in any extended warranty. Also cargurus will tell you how long the car has been listed. Ones that have been listed a long time are either scams or are already gone. If using facebook or craigslist, ask for the vin. There's also some guy on the forsale section that will do carfax for $6 or something like that. It's not definitive though, my carfax on one car was clean and the accident showed up on the autocheck. I drive in the city so minor accidents happen all the time and don't bother me.

https://www.lastvin.com/

And yeah, some people post the vin and some don't. Probably the market is too active right now to post a vin as someone might ****** it from under you as you try to negotiate some kind of deal.

juanmor40

No VIN, next.

Some people think that all MB in a class command the same price. They are targeting the newbie looking for an inexpensive MB. Price is based on features and mileage, not class number.

Even the scam with the E300 4 cylinder, the new ones into the brand think it is just a smaller engine than the previous year. Totally different cars, but too late to realize it

Update
----------
An example of a something must be going on : https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...339617592/NONE

Left Coast Geek

There's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedess.

DFWdude

Well noted.

eddieo45

I find myself pondering some salvage title cars, listed by a seller that's up front about that and claims to be a rebuild expert, with 100% positive feedback. One tool I found that could be helpful, even if title is NOT disclosed as salvage, in this auction history website. I bought my first 5 Benzes at an auction, and a couple of others I've owned may have been through an auction at one time or another. There are lots of used car lot sellers out there that are selling auction cars marked up $4000 or more. For $4 per report, wouldn't it be nice to know what the seller paid at the auction? And if you search a car that HASN'T been through an auction, they have no record of it and nothing to sell you.

https://autoauctionhistory.com/