alex540m

Hey guys,

I'm thinking about purchasing a flood damaged S55. The water (fresh) was a few inches over the floorboard and came into the passenger cabin. It seems the TelAid module is damaged (TeleAid Dash Error) along with the oxygen sensors (Check Engine). All other funtions work properly (Inluding all electronics) and other than the mentioned issues the car looks, drives and feels like a new car. It's an 05 with about 25K miles and I'm looking at about 39K. I know it's a gamble, do you think the risk is worth the reward (39K S55)? How much of a discount do flood damaged cars typically get off retail?


Opinions please - Thanks, Alex

sprins

AFAIK this car will start to exhibit more and more problems electrical and in the moving parts over time. This car should have beeen totalled.

My advise would be: Look for something else to spend your 39K.

Tyler Durden

Personally, no way in holy hell would I consider a flood damaged vehicle, especially with the potential for future problems and the extraordinary cost associated with repairing it. If it's a salvage title that's even worse and if the factory/standard warranty is voided it may not even be eligible for an aftermarket warranty. The salvage title will affect it's insurability, which would be seriously compromised as far as physical damage coverages are concerned, especially in the event of a total loss, if your insurance company would even write a policy for it to begin with. I'd be more careful considering that car than I would on a hot date with Pam Anderson...and no condoms!

ndabunka

Do NOT pay that for a salvage vehicle! There is an '05 on eBay from a known salvage dealer, Straight Line right now you can get for $35K. It has frame damage but doesn't have the $4K of electrical problems your looking at for the flood damaged car. That and the fact that salvage cars have NO WARRANTY means that everything you spend on it will come out of your pocket. IMHO Salvage vehicles are only worth about 50% of the current market price. You can buy a CLEAN 2003 S55 with 28K miles for $40K right now. I've found a 2004 with 41K miles and 1.4 years of warranty left for $41K

Heck, I've even got a line on a Government seized 2003 745iL with 28K miles and a 100K warranty (like all 2003 7-series) with the bidding starting @ $18K coming up shortly. I expect it to go for less than $30K and it doesn't have any salvage issues, only ownership paperwork to futz with).

Here is a high mileage one that is on eBay with no reserve. As long as this isn't "shil bid", you should see this go for around $35K and would not have the problems at a later resale time that the salvaged vehicle WILL have.

http://http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220162398032&fromMakeT rack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:us

erdocslx2

I would not touch a flood damaged car. The electrical system will start rotting from the inside out. There are plenty of deals out there to stay away from those kind of headaches.

SSM AMG

Don't do it. A benz gives problems as is. I could just see the amount of problems you will get with a flood damaged car.

OBXTucker

I agree - DON'T DO IT! Along with the additional "gremlins" that WILL arise, insuring & reselling a Salvage Title is a PITA. I tried this once many years ago as a kid (bought a beater car that was flooded during Hurrican Agnes). Biggest mistake I ever made. Fortunately, I only paid $600 for the car (a fortune to a 17 year old at the time) - but a cheap Life Lesson......

TECHNICIAN

$4k is being very nice. I'd bet its closer to $10-12k

JRAMGV8

Hey Alex

I pretty much agree with everyone here, I wouldn't do it either....

carsnob

Are you crazy? Good luck selling it!
Just pony up the $ and get the real deal. No headaches.