W222 Experts -- thanks in advance for your advice. We are in the market for a used S560. Currently looking at a 2019 with 27K miles. Have heard rumors that perhaps there had been metal shavings in the oil pan on a previous oil change. We have no details, pictures, or intel on the extent or severity; nor does the dealer have any info. Is this a hard red flag or is there a path forward that could make this a reasonable risk? The car is clean, lines are straight, it's well equipped, and otherwise in great shape for a 2019. If we bought it, we'd spring for an accelerated oil change at three months to assess the oil. If it's clear, presumably the rumors were wrong and we just have to move ahead wisely/cautiously. If there are shavings, is there a course of action to determine if it's piston, cam shaft, bearings, gasket, etc. and get them replaced under warranty; or is the damage at 27K miles likely too far gone or the risk too great? Have a great weekend!

 

DHutt, is this a MB dealer? Have you seen any documentation on the car?

 

Most dealers change the oil from the top of the engine, so how would they know about shavings in the pan?

If you like the car, see if the dealer will allow you to inspect the filter for metal bits.

 

Hard pass. When there is doubt, get out.

 

Unfortunately, not an MB dealer. Any idea if an Indy shop can pull the VMI, or just a MB dealer? The selling dealership has no info or documentation on the car. If the oil and filter have already been changed as part of the dealer's process to prep for sale, don't believe a current oil change with show anything?

 

If there are metal shavings at 27K miles-run as fast and as far as possible.

 

This is weird. Rumors that perhaps… from where?

 

Sorry that it may seem weird. I trust where I got the information (and thus also trust the info); I'm trying to keep this anonymous in case anyone on here could put 2 + 2 together to protect my sources.

 

If you trust the info then why, even for a picosecond, consider getting that car?

 

Just don't do it.

 

We would still consider getting the car because I have absolutely zero mechanical or maintenance skills, and therefore have zero idea if this is a red flag or something that is actually common and can be diagnosed/repaired. It sounds like a a red flag, so we will keep shopping. Thanks for the insight!

 

These are very complicated, very sophisticated cars that can be mind boggling expensive to repair. I would strongly suggest that you not buy one PERIOD, without a solid warranty. Honestly, rather than roll the dice on a used MB from a non-authorized dealer, without a solid warranty accepted by MB dealers, I’d rather have a new Toyota.

 

Metal in the oil is a red flag with any engine. It's worse for a MBZ due to the cost of a replacement engine. If you trust the source of the information about the metal in the oil then you would be best served by looking for a different car to purchase.

 

It took me 60 trillion picoseconds to figure out what a picosecond is...

 

I take it that you knew the previous owner who traded it in, ended up at auction and the Indy dealer picked it up. If you know it has had metal shavings in the oil, then steer clear. Every used car will have this risk, we don’t know the full history. In this case, you know 100%.. it’s not taking a risk, but diving head first into the consequences.

 

That's the redest of red flags, if you trust the info there is no reason to consider the car.
There are no circumstances where shavings in the oil pan are not a major problem, a new engine will be needed shortly.

 

Metal shavings in the oil are bad...if you believe the source you should not even consider the car.

I would question the source though, it would be very odd to have metal shavings in the oil in a car of that mileage. Was the oil changed regularly?

 

The replaced my entire engine because of this 3 months after I got my 560.

 

Did they tell you what the source of the metal was?

 

No. They were very hush hush about the details but the cylinder walls were getting scored. New engine was a $95k warranty replacement and took 4 months.

 

A picosecond is the time it takes light to travel 1/1,000 th of a foot.

 

Did you buy it? You moved on, right?

 

I would have taken less than a femtosecond to look for a different ride.

 

YES, I have a tendency to try to stay away from being harsh, but there are obviously several reasons to NOT to consider purchasing that are so severe that a forum discussion is not even warranted.
(unless you are a diy'er or garage PLANNING FOR THE REMEDY - which should have been noted in the original post)