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CARFAX report concern on possible purchase—plz help!
Looking for ASAP replies as this vehicle has been a hard one to find, given that it has Active Body Control and not too far from me. In the CARFAX report there are more tire issues than I would expect with at least 2 replaced by 10-12K miles, another tire “mounted”, “wheel(s) repaired” twice, front brake pads replaced, and “headlight(s) replaced” at 16k. Dunno what tires were used but it currently is wearing the Continental ContiSportContacts that I believe were often OEM; I have read that the wear on those tires was absurdly fast for many owners who described replacements by 10k miles, along with being a pretty harsh ride. Any flags raised? I will be getting more details from the dealership but am wondering what y’all think.
As this was the first owner in Monterey CA, I’m thinking it was driven hard under a lease. Maybe that would explain the brakes and tires, but it’s just a guess. Headlight(s) replaced at 16K by the 2nd dealership for resale? Maybe a cosmetic issue?
The car is really loaded and can’t get much better. I’ve been looking for an ABC 550 for months. Is there anything that I can do to know that the ABC system has been well maintained and won’t become a disaster?
I wouldn’t be too concerned about the tires. They are runflats, so any nail would require replacement. I would try to find out what repairs were done to the wheels. My guess is edge burring from scraping a curb. If the owner had the wheel & tire warranty, they would have fixed that.
Headlight could be a rock chip? I really don’t see any issues mechanically other than brake pads needing to be replaced at very early mileage.
With the ABC, I Would definitely get an extended warranty for this car.
If it has the 19” wheels with runflat tires, it’s possible the wheels were replaced or repaired due to pot hole damage.
Could also be an alignment issue (or damage as per KJohnston). Front brake pad replacement with such little mileage could be noise (brake squeal) related complaint.
Last edited by crconsulting; Jul 9, 2022 at 01:14 PM.
We had AMG wheels. Hit a pothole ... and NOT a big one either ... cracked the wheel. Replacing wheel and replacing runflats.. we found another wheel that had been cracked and welded. They don't suit me as far as the reliability and issues I read about them with runflats. And I hated the runflat ride. The expense of new wheels was ridiculous.
We replaced the tires with Michelin non runflats and replaced the wheels with Mandrus wheels. I would not worry about the wheel/tire history. Runflats suck...in my opinion, and the wheels are way overpriced for something as fragile - my opinion there too. Picture with the Mandrus wheels and Michelins. Your SL you found sounds fine and you will like it.
By the way...the wheel "repairs" could have been welded cracks in the wheel. Sometimes we drive this car fast and I did not want welded cracks in the wheels. Maybe it would have been fine, but it would have always been in the back of my mind.
Also, I would not have ABC without some type of warranty on it....and one the dealer accepted that would pay for sure if ABC gave you trouble.... or make sure you can afford the risk of repairs. Ouch.
If it has the 19” wheels with runflat tires, it’s possible the wheels were replaced or repaired due to pot hole damage.
Could also be an alignment issue (or damage as per KJohnston). Front brake pad replacement with such little mileage could be noise (brake squeal) related complaint.
The VIN says 752 AMG 19" SPOKED WHEELS WITH MIXED TIRES, which sounds great to me. I am looking for a soft cruiser so prefer the smaller wheels. And the brake squeal certainly sounds possible.
Thanks so much for the thoughts folks! I’ll be speaking with the dealership soon. I really dislike how runflats ride and as I mentioned above I’m looking for more of a “bruiser cruiser”, so 19” wheels that can be replaced with something more agreeable than the Continental ContiSportContacts and everything negative that I have read about them sounds great. For that matter, I wonder if a new set of non-runflats could be negotiated in the purchase…..hmmmm.
Regarding everyone’s comments about an extended warranty—it is an MCO with 12 months from the date of purchase and I’d definitely extend that if I can. Is that typically through the dealer or 3rd party? Another thing I’d like to mention is that this isn’t being sold by my local dealership, this car is about 1.5 hours from me. As I understand my local MB would take over any CPO work——I do NOT intend to continue with a distant dealership except for the purchase. And I’m in FL now but may start bringing the car north to upstate NY for snowbirding summers as well. Would any of that change any warranty advice?
LOL! Literally had an email come in the moment I posted the info above, re: a twin 2017 ABC SL550 ( in Dolomite Brown Metallic Finish!!) with less miles also not too far for me. Canadian origin but overall identical features. Honestly the colors are a bit too grandpa for me but still a looker, and might help some with negotiating the first one as they know the ABC thing was #1 on my list. I’ll share the love with the links to both below; the 1st is the one I’m most interested in, the 2nd is the one that just came in.
As others said, the previous owner likely just lived in an area with horribly maintained roads. I suppose that could have stressed the suspension a little more than normal, but I wouldn't worry about it much.
Outside color is a big deal. When we saw a brilliant blue one in person... we started looking for one.
I would buy the blue one too. It stands out.
I agree. I am in Florida and it seems like 80% of the cars are white, black, or silver. In parking lots it looks like a nightmare to find your car sometimes. Also I’ve had three gray or silver cars in my life and a red one, So this would be my first blue. Unfortunately they are closed on Sunday but I am going to check it out on Monday. Wish me luck! This would be my first Benz-
Where are you in Florida? I know of an exceptional indy dealer down there on the Atlantic coast. You might want it looked at. We know people that drive across the state for their service. We use them as well, we have a second home there.
Shouldn’t every be a problem finding your car. A simple button push on the key fob as soon as you are entering the parking lot will have the car announce where it is.
Originally Posted by HighPercentile
I agree. I am in Florida and it seems like 80% of the cars are white, black, or silver. In parking lots it looks like a nightmare to find your car sometimes. Also I’ve had three gray or silver cars in my life and a red one, So this would be my first blue. Unfortunately they are closed on Sunday but I am going to check it out on Monday. Wish me luck! This would be my first Benz-
Last edited by ThatsMyDawg; Jul 10, 2022 at 12:09 PM.
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