Thinking about buying 2000 S430 with 150,000 for $5500
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 34
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From: Paterson, NJ
97 MB E420 Sport
Thinking about buying 2000 S430 with 150,000 for $5500
Im thinking about buying S430 with 150,000 for 150,000 can anyone please tell me what to look out for or if its a good idea. I know its a good price but I dont want it to be a headache after I purchase so please give me your thoughts.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,949
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
If you don't want a headache, you are looking at the wrong car.
What to look out for is well covered if you look at the stickies in the benzworld 220 section and the info in the stickies here.
What to look out for is well covered if you look at the stickies in the benzworld 220 section and the info in the stickies here.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 960
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From: Long Island, NY & SE England
A Mercedes obviously!
I once read on here that "A cheap Mercedes is the most expensive car you'll ever own".
If you want a W220 start by looking at '03s at the very earliest, '04s are little better yet. The later W220s are much more reliable and even with the slightly higher purchase price will cost you less in the long run.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 769
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From: New York
Mercedes S55 AMG
Be prepared to spend some money on maintenance, that $5,500 car will turn into a $10,000+ car very quickly.
The suspension can go, and various other wear and tear items at that mileage.
The suspension can go, and various other wear and tear items at that mileage.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,150
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Mercedes
if it runs good, get it and drive it like its stolen. Forget about maintenance, or fixing things...this is going to end up as a parts car the first time something major goes out. Just keep driving it till its time to part it out. the parts value on that car is over $5000.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,949
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
not everybody has the time, skill or inclination to part a car out, and then he has a useless junker sitting in his driveway.
I'd just say buy a better car to begin with.
I'd just say buy a better car to begin with.
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
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C350 Elegance
Different goals for different purposes: a car to drive is not a car for parts, and also is not a business investment for a mechanic or a junk yard operator.
I'd like to think, since you need third party opinions to make up your mind, that you cannot evaluate by yourself the condition the car is, and therefore you will not be able to diagnose and fix the unavoidable. So find something proven more reliable, such as an '06, or an '04 in good condition and with a decent maintenance history.
Oliverk is right, you don't wish to have a junker sitting on your driveway or garage, but a Mercedes. So, reaching a certain level of car condition is essential to have something worth of the name to be seen into.
Cheers, JV
Member
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Brandon FL
2001 S500
Is it a daily driver or a project car? Anything can be fixed if you have enough money. If it's a second car...go for it, but get an inspection.
What to look for if you don't want to pay dealer for inspection?
Water damage (rear seat, trunk, front passenger floor)
Soft close feature not working
Trunk open (soft close)
Airmatic/top seals installed
Control arms-do they look old (year 2000)
Leaking motor oil/rear axle leaking
Motor mounts (engine wobble)
Transmission mounts
That's my $.02
What to look for if you don't want to pay dealer for inspection?
Water damage (rear seat, trunk, front passenger floor)
Soft close feature not working
Trunk open (soft close)
Airmatic/top seals installed
Control arms-do they look old (year 2000)
Leaking motor oil/rear axle leaking
Motor mounts (engine wobble)
Transmission mounts
That's my $.02
