franklyfresh

Background
I have the opportunity to pickup a 2011 C63 with 90k miles for $14k but I am nervous due to the spotty history and modifications. The owner's first language is not English so there may be some things lost in translation. My experience with these cars is severely lacking so I hope to solicit the knowledge of this community to determine if this is a bad decision or not.

Update: Bought CarFax and is attached.

Mods Listed by Owner

• "Adjustable AMG Sport Shocks" - no idea what this means, is this concerning?
• "Brembo Brake System" - is this better than stock?
• "Vossen 20" Rims"
• "Eurocharged Tune and Straight Pipe"
• "Like 560hp, the car has extras cost like $13k"

Vehicle History

• Purchased from auction stock for $17k at 88k miles.
• Says he bought it from his dad's dealership.
• Rebuilt title due to front bumper damage after accidents.
• No airbags deployed or framework.
• Selling due to moving back home in another state, was in area for school.

Concerns

• Spotty history of car & lack of maintenance records or mod receipts.
• Owner doesn't seem like an enthusiast and has not put a lot of miles on it since purchase.
• Mods like the rear diffuser and rear quarter panel are questionable.
• High miles.

How much would it cost to get this car back to stock?

If you can identify additional red flags, please do so. What should I look for / ask for when I go out to see the car? What negotiated price do you think would be a good deal given all the above? Should I just walk away from this? Appreciate any and all help here!

roadkillrob

I would be pretty afraid of that car, seems like lots of BS in that ad.

Brembo's come on the car, unless he replaced the excellent stock brakes with basically the same, but guessing he is just listing stock brakes. No idea what AMG sport suspension is but it is low as ****, so that ain't stock and isn't anything from AMG.

Rear fenders are hacked up and molded as is the rear bumper - not stock and requires cutting out the stock sheet metal, who knows how well it was done and if before or after this person owned it. Front bumper is missing the tow hook cover and headlight washers. Lots of other little mods I can see from the pictures.

560HP is a bold lie with just straight pipes and a EC tune, it is likely more like 400 and change at the wheels, eurocharged claims like 520 crank I think and straight pipes might add a couple.

If it is rebuilt some insurance company decided it had damage that exceeded the value of the car, so it wasn't minor bumper damage, it was like 20 or 25k of front end damage that seems to not be fully repaired. If it was bought at auction for 17k and he put 2k on it and is selling it for 2k less (and if he fixed it in there - not sure if it was fixed before the auction or if he bought for 17k fixed and and then is selling for 15K) that reeks of it being a problem and he is trying to unload it.

It looks like a problem car to me that has a lot of mods, high miles, was crashed and is being unloaded - these cars are expensive when perfect to keep running and the price isn't really that good (but not sure where you are exactly), I would walk away and look for an unmolested car.

BLKROKT

What’s wrong with all the new people looking for reasons to buy problem cars? Are WE the problem for modding every one in existence?

If you like fixing stuff, yeah that’s a great car to have as a permanent garage decoration.

franklyfresh

Thank you my man! I was hoping someone who actually knows their ish could point out additional details for me to ask the seller. The main reason I am hopeful about this car is the seller does genuinely seem trustworthy and his lack of knowledge regarding the details seems innocent but I could be very wrong here.

I just sent him a few questions after your post and he said:

• The rear fender/bumper fabrication was done by Eurocharged in Houston (I shot them an email to check)
• He also said the suspension is stock and adjustable to go up or down.
• He also provided this video:

Anything else you think I should ask him?


I didn't mean to imply this community is the source of poor modding, sorry if that is how I came across. I came here because I know it's where knowledgeable people would be able to provide some insight into the car and deal. I've wanted a C63 since I was in highschool and still can't afford one that doesn't have some trade-offs so I just wanted to conduct some due diligence. It wasn't obvious to me that this is a "problem car" so I definitely was not looking for reasons to pull the trigger despite that. The new members making similar posts to this are probably just hoping they found a good deal on a car they've wanted to own for a while and I can empathize with that position. I am young and can't afford any AMG new or even slightly used but I don't mind having to put in work and take on some smart risk to own what was once my dream car.

Apologies if this isn't great content for the community at large. I think the discussion may help the less knowledgeable learn but probably repetitive for experienced members.

roadkillrob

The c63 never had suspension that was adjustable to go up and down, either is is on adjustable aftermarket coilovers or airbags I would guess.

franklyfresh

Thanks for all the help. I'll be sure to get a PPI at a dealership prior to anything but I am starting to see the light on avoiding this all together.

roadkillrob

Your carfax says this car has been crashed 4 separate times also no service history since 2014 and only 5k miles put on it since 2014 which means it took a long time to fix it or it hasn't been able to be driven due to problems I would guess, the light is pretty easy to see and for a couple grand more you can get a care that has been loved it's whole life and properly services and never in an accident. If you can't afford a couple more thousand to buy a good one then you really can't afford a bad one.

This is not to even mention the common headbolt failure issue with these early cars, if that has not been addressed on this one, that can be another 4-5k in repairs to address.

Maybe go look for something more like this https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

franklyfresh

I am going to walk away from this deal. Even at $13k its not worth it to your point. Thanks for all the guidance, really appreciate you helping me avoid a potential disaster.

ZephyrAMG

You have what was once a ~$75k nice put together high performance car now reaching the **** conditions at about $8k-$15k. These are the cars just purely **** on and you have high school kids able to afford them now. Just the nature of the times.

The price bracket has obviously come down and now every Tom, Dick and Harry can get into one finally...but usually these are totally beat on and the interiors look like vomit. Anyone even considering a c63 at $15k or so price range with high miles that has been modded is basically getting a ticking time bomb. But that’s their budget and they are hoping to get a cherry car at that price....just doesn’t pencil.

Adi-Benz

Avoid!

roadkillrob

I think that is a good decision, good luck looking for another one - you really can get into a nice one for not much more money, 18-22k will get you a mint low miles one, totally worth the extra money and if you can't come up with 5 grand, you probably should not consider this car as you will find a way to spend 5 grand on these cars pretty quickly as they age.

Yuille36

Save your money and look for something else. It's just not worth the headaches, of getting a modded car with issues.

BITRBO

Yeah, HARD pass OP... Not to mention something is off with the front & rear bumper fitment and that rear wide (read: hack) body job is

TPete19

I'ma have to disagree with you on that. He tried to bolt out of the cockpit before showing that the CEL is lit up.

TPete19

Also from the video, the seats appear to have been reupholstered and already tearing again. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I've never seen that fabric in the center of the seats. Trunk and rear bumper (where it meets the LR fender) are both misaligned.

Max_AMG

hey! I need you to call me about this car. Shoot me an email ms426914@ohio.edu This car is for sale again and I want it as a parts car. I can’t get ahold of the previous owner and hoping you have his number still!! Please email me

CyanideRide

That's some eagle eyes you have there

Boughtittwice

Run as fast as you can, or, if you hate your money, buy it.

hyperion667