Hi everyone. Hope your able to provide feedback. Point me in the right direction.

We currently have on 05 MK4 Jetta GLI w/Tiptronic (09A) with over 200k miles. Had it since new from the show room. I do all maintenance and repairs (Ross-Tech is a life saver). We keep our cars for 10+ years. Runs like a champ
.
First time shopping for MB. Never owned or driven one before. I'm nervous about owning one due to cost posted on certain repairs. After research for a while, I think I'm able to maintain one. Gonna have to look for ECU scanner.

Been searching the last couple of months for an E55. Wife wants a MB, I want a performance car.... It'll be her daily driver.

Seller was able to provide carfax and maintenance record from independent shop. Also currently trying to get records from dealer it was serviced at. Will also try to get VMI.

Per carfax, first owner corporate vehicle 8 months (until 06/06). Current owner purchase 07/06 till now.

Oil changes records start at 07/13. Not sure why none recorded earlier. Maybe DIY. Hope it was change during that time.

Main carfax entries:

03/02/2006
6,599 miles
Dealer
Transmission checked
Power steering fluid leak checked
Power steering pump replaced
Engine/powertrain computer/module reprogrammed
Valve body replaced

07/16/2010
67,348 miles
Dealer
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
Front strut bearing(s) replaced
Engine mount(s) replaced
Vehicle washed/detailed
Strut(s) replaced
Air suspension checked

01/04/2012
81,619 miles
Dealer
Fuel system checked
Evaporative emission system checked
Fuel system cleaned/serviced
Fuel tank drained and cleaned
Vehicle washed/detailed
Engine mount(s) replaced
Valve cover gasket(s) replaced


02/11/2012
83,116 miles
Dealer
Rear brake pads replaced
Front brake rotor(s) replaced
Front brake pads replaced

08/02/2012
88,578 miles
Dealer
Computer(s) checked
Front turn signal/parking bulb(s) replaced
Brake light switch replaced

07/18/2013
98,869 miles
Oil and filter changed (first entry)
Cabin air filter replaced/cleaned
Spark plug(s) replaced
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Vehicle washed/detailed
Air filter replaced

11/08/2013
101,700 miles
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
Thermostat replaced
Antifreeze/coolant check

05/20/2014
105,826 miles
Dealer
Maintenance inspection completed
Air filter replaced
Brakes checked
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Front strut(s) replaced
Battery replaced

03/30/2015
105,375 miles
Indy shop
Oil and filter changed
Transmission serviced
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Alignment performed
Fluids checked

2015, involved in a minor parking lot fender bender. Driver headlight needed to be replaced. (records show replaced by indy shop)

09/11/2015
116,699 miles
Indy shop
Control arm(s) replaced
Alignment performed
Noise checked

11/15
118,445 miles
Indy shop
replaced both lower ball joints

03/2016
121,782 miles
Dealer
Maintenance inspection completed
Front brake pads replaced
Rear brake pads replace

04/19/2016
122,929 miles
Indy shop
Oil and filter changed

04/05/2017
129,840 miles
Indy shop
Oil and filter changed

12/28/2017
134,542 miles
Indy shop
Differential checked
Oil and filter changed
Air filter replaced
Cabin air filter replaced/cleaned

05/29/2018
137,276 miles
Wiper(s) replaced
Battery/charging system checked
Oil and filter changed

No recalls that's I'm aware of.

If pre purchase inspection checks out good, no issues and based on info provided.

What do you think is a fair offer?
What would you offer?
Based on KBB, asking price seems high.

Thanks,

Joe

 

Transmission was first serviced at 105k? Run from that car as fast as you can.

There isn't nearly enough service records in there to be even remotely "accurate" with the amount of minor issues, and service work that should have been done to that car. At 130k plus miles, you're looking at a) transmission issues b) supercharger issues because it still has the original fluid c) likely replacement of main SBC unit d) fuel pumps/filter need to be replaced ($1200 in parts alone).

Also, valve body replaced at 6k? Run. No replacement of fluid on rear differential in 137k miles? run.

I could go on. Run.

Car is worth $8,000, max.

 

According to owner, rear end was replaced. He said how long ago, I don't remembernow.. Gonna ask for documents.

As for additional maintenance, I'm still waiting for documents from 2 dealers and 2 other independent shops.

Guess I'll have to wait for PPI, see what I could use as leverage to lower the price

As for VMI, could the dealership provide that with or without PPI? Could the seller request it? Without documents, I'm hesitant to move forward.

Thanks for your feedback.

 

The dealer won't give you a VMI most likely since it has customer information on it. Buy the nicest one that you can afford. I also wouldn't jump on the first one I looked at.

Are you willing to travel for the right car or are you only looking locally?

 

I'm willing to travel for the right one.

Called the dealership set up an appointment, nothing available till next week. Service advisor provide VMI details over the phone. Confirm AT service was completed at 105k mile, along with other carfax entries. No SBC though. IIRC, its over $2400 or $3400 to have it repaired.


Any additional input would be appreciated

The search continues.

 

If that's the first trans service at 105k I'd be leery of buying it.

 

Slowly getting dealer records.

These are just the major services completed. Seems to have had fuel issues. I don't know if that's common with these cars.

28k
OIL CHANGE

34k
B service

35k
BRAKE FLUSH

STATES FLUID LEAKING UNDER CAR. APPEARS TO BE TRANS FLUID...
611072 W ENG. COMPARTMENT
PANEL, BOTTOM - REAR PART, R & R
274980 W PILOT BUSHING ON THE ELECTROHYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT REMOVE/INSTALL/SEAL, REPLACE IF NECESSARY(AFTER CHECK)
271255 W OIL LEVEL- AUTO.
TRANS. (AFTER LEAK TEST),CHECK/CORRECT

STATES OIL LEAKING UNDER CAR
015012 W VALVE COVER - LEFT BANK, R & R / RESEAL
015100 W CRANKCASE VENTILATION
COVER FOR VALVE COVER - LEFT, R & R/ SEAL

REPLACED FRONT SBC BRAKE PADS
422731 CC BRAKE DISCS, FRONT - LEFT & RIGHT SIDE, R & R / REPL. (BRAKE PADS REMOVED)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2008020001 FUEL FILTER MODULE CAMPAIGN
025859 W 025859 (3/7/08)
CHECK SENSOR FOR FUEL
LEVEL INDICATOR. (D/C 09920318) M/I T3, U5, Y2

025860 W 025860 (3/7/08)
RETROFIT SLEEVE AFTER CHECK. (D/C 09920317)
M/I T3, U5, Y2

38k
FUEL LEVEL SENSOR
ONE, R & R/ REPLACE

STATES THAT THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL FROM VEHICLE.
CHECK AND ADVISE.
471000 W FUEL SYSTEM, CHECK FOR LEAKS
477040 W FUEL LEVEL SENSOR - ONE, R & R/ REPLACE

44k miles.
OIL CHANGE

AUTOTRANS-SERVICE (275) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SERVICE 722.6/9 - INCLUDES ROAD TEST, EVALUATION, INSPECTION, FLUID & FILTER/REPLACE, RESEAL TRANSMISSION PAN & SET FLUID LEVEL WITH SDS.
AUTOTRANS￾SERVICE

FUEL SYSTEM, CHECKFOR LEAKS
474000 W FUEL TANK, DRAIN / REFILL
611120 W UNDERFLOOR MOLDING REAR LEFT, R & R/REPLACE IF NEC.
611121 W UNDERFLOOR MOLDING REAR RIGHT, R & R/REPLACE IF NEC.
474600 W FUEL TANK, REPL.
474030 W FUEL TANK (DRAINED), PREPARE FOR STORAGING/DISCARDING

REARDIFF-SERVICE-AMG ($70) REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID SERVICE FOR AMG AND HIGH PERFORMANCE PASSENGER CARS OR LIGHT TRUCKS. INCLUDES ROAD TEST, INSPECTION AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID CHANGE.


54k
COOLANT-FLUSH (95) ENGINE COOLANT SERVICE. INCLUDES ENGINE COOLANT CHANGE, EVALUATE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE AND FAN OPERATIONS, PRESSURE TEST COOLING SYSTEM & CAP, BLEED AIR & TIGHTEN ACCESSIBLE HOSE CLAMPS.

56k
CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S) - IGNITION SYST., REPL. (AFTER TEST)

64k
A service

67k
STRUT ASSEMBLY - BOTH FRT AIR SUSPENSION
(AIRMATIC),REPLACED

75k
B service

81.5k
PERFORMED SDS TESTING AND FOUND CODE CURRENT FOR PURGE LEAK (P2075-002) AND STORED CODE FOR COOLANT THERMOSTAT. PERFORMED FUEL TANK LEAK TEST AND FOUND TEST TO FAIL. REPLACED GAS CAP AND TESTED, FOUND LEAK AT REPLACED PURGE VALVE, TESTED, LEAKS. REPLACED ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
CANISTER SHUT OFF VALVE, TESTED, FAILED. PERFORMED SMOKE TEST OF EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM AND UNABLE TO LOCATE SOURCE OF LEAK. PERFORMED VISUAL INSPECTION AND FOUND VERY SMALL CRACK IN TOP OF RIGHT SIDE FUEL SENDING UNIT. INSTALLED TAPE OVER
CRACK FOR TESTING PURPOSES, TESTED TANK, NO LEAKS FOUND. VEHICLE NEEDS RIGHT SIDE FUEL SENDING UNIT. SEE REPAIRS ON
LINE BELOW.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
R&R AND REPLACED RIGHT SIDE FUEL SENDING UNIT.
INSTALLED ALL PARTS AND PERFORMED TESTING. UNABLE TO CONFIRM REPAIRS DUE TO FUEL PUMP EXPORT NECK ON LEFT SIDE FUEL SENDING UNIT DEVELOPING A CRACK AND BREAKING DURING REPAIRS.
NEC. TO R&R AND REPLACE LEFT SIDE FUEL SENDING UNIT.
PERFORMED EVAPORATIVE LEAK TEST VIA SDS AND FOUND SYSTEM TO PASS. INSTALLED ORIGINAL FUEL CAP AND CHARCOAL CANISTER SHUT OFF VALVE AND TESTED, FOUND NO LEAKS. INSTALLED ORIGINAL PURGE VALVE AND TESTED, FAILED TEST. REINSTALLED NEW VALVE
AND TESTED, FOUND NO LEAKS. FOUND RIGHT SIDE SENDING UNIT AND PURGE VALVE LEAKING TO BE CAUSE OF CEL. FILLED FUEL TANK TO TEST INTEGRITY OF SEALS ON SENDING UNITS AND FOUND GOOD. ERASED ALL CODES AND RE-TESTED AFTER DRIVE, NO CODES FOUND.
DONE.
~~~~~~~~~~


R&R AND RESEALED RIGHT SIDE VALVE COVER. DONE.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
R&R AND REPLACED ALL THREE MOTOR MOUNTS. DONE.

83k
Front/Rear Brake pads & rotors

88.5k
A service
ELECTRICAL FAULT STOP LAMP SWITCH 150 ROAD TEST VEHICLE, VERIFY CLIENT CONCERN// SDS TO CHECK FOR CODES, STORED FAULT SBC CONTROL MODULE C1200 STOP LAMP SWITCH PLAUSIBILITY// DETERMINE ELECTRICAL FAULT STOP LAMP SWITCH// REPLACE STOP LAMP SWITCH PER CLIENT AUTH// ROAD TEST VEHICLE
AFTER REPAIRS// NO BRAKE WARNING DISPLAYS IN CLUSTER AT THISTIME// *** NOTES *** SOLD 1.0 DIAGNOSIS, 0.5 STOP LAMP
SWITCH REPLACEMENT//
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

105k
B service
RIGHT FRONT STRUT LEAKING/ REPLACED 360 USE SDS TO CHECK FOR CODES, FOUND CODES 5500 AND 5501 CRITICAL VEHICLE LEVELS AT FRONT AND REAR AXLES. PERFORM FURTHER GUIDED TEST AND CHECK

AUTOTRANS-SERVICE.6 (331) -AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SERVICE 722.6. INCLUDES ROAD TEST, EVALUATION, INSPECTION, FLUID + FILTER REPLACEMENT, RESEAL TRANSMISSION PAN AND RESET FLUID LEVEL WITH
SDS

PERFORM SBC BRAKE FLUSH.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~


Looking better. No as neglected as I though.

Waiting for more records.

What do you guys think now?

 

The first purchase should be a SDS, especially since you turn your own wrenches. (I got my VCDS (Rosstec) for my TDI right away but that car was new, like your Vdub). If you scan the car, you can check how many cycles the SBC has. Also can check the trans, Barry has posted on both of these I believe. IMO.....Missing too many service records for the asking price. Not happy with the indy changing control arms and 2k later doing lower ball joints Without a scan and PPI ??$

I missed the update while posting... Trans service record still missing at least one (for me anyway) conflicting story on rear diff, owner says replaced dealer says serviced? Like I said...SDS

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...unt-reset.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...rmination.html

 

It's about 4 hour drive to see the car. Gonna make a day trip out if it. Also going to take some tools, USB ODB2 adapter use Torque app, see if it has any codes.

Dealer has no opening for PPI until next week. Cost $285. Is the going rate?

Was planning to locate a German shop that specializes in Mercedes. To late in the day to find one going to check tomorrow morning.

I just skimmed over dealer records and one independent shop. Tough opening up PDF and copy/paste from the phone. Will go over them calmly tonight.

 

Good luck! Just to let you know, I paid 12k for mine a year ago with tick over 100k, spotless in and out, many service records, not bragging(actually thought it was still high after negotiating from 15.5) just talking you off the ledge, look closely before you jump

 

FWIW, there is an extended warranty for the fuel tanks on these cars due to them leaking. It's good for 15 years from the build date (I believe) and a lot of us have had it done. That's nothing to worry about.

There are a lot of posts on here about it if you do a search.

 

To me, at cold start up, the supercharger whine sound like a power steering pump about to go out. After warm up, it went away.. Is that normal?

Car was in mint condition.

Exterior: No ding, scrapes, scratches. Clean and shine. Rims have minor rash. Nothing serious.

Interior: Clean, no stains, no funky smell, looked like new. During testing, lumbar controls, in front of seats did not work - driver and passenger. (not sure if it's a fuse or something more serious)

Engine: strong, (no code using bluetooth app) no abnormal sound. Idle smooth. No visible leaks. No funky sounds or smells.

Drive test: Engine smooth, no hesitaion, shift smooth in comfort and sport. Power comes strong when you get on it.
Suspension - smooth, no creaking, clacking.

Have to wait for PPI. Will to go down to 12k before PPI. Close to KBB and NADA. Without inspection, not sure if that's a good price.

Your thoughs...

Joe

 

 

You're paying double what the car's worth with that kind of mileage. OBD codes are routinely cleared before you come down to look at a car at any dealer. You'll be all in for $25,000 by the time you get done with repairs.

 

The whine is normal. It's the oil pump. It takes 2 seconds to pull the SC belt off and spin / wiggle the supercharger. Parts are available. 17mm 12 point socket on a breaker bar to hold the tensioner. The front cover just pulls off. Work it from the back sides first, and put some oil or grease on the clips for next time. Sometimes they pull off the cover instead.

 

I'm going to wait it out. I've been searching, others at lower price and mileage. This one was close, had to check it out.

Seems others are also going to view the car this week. If it doesn't sell at or near asking price, maybe seller will realize it's not worth his price.

If it sells, oh well, the hunt continues.

Thanks again,

Joe

 

Just remembered, was going through photos. . It had one message on the dash.

SOS Tele Aid Malfunction. (Drive to workshop.)
Is this a serious trouble?

2 things wrong with the car.
-D/P lumbar (Will have PPI shop provide estimate, worst case scenario - what so you guys think repair will cost? Is it diy-able?)

-SOE message (Is this costly to repair?)

These are the ones I'm aware of, could have others.

 

PM sent.. Thanks.

 

Damn how many people are trying to get you not to buy it? As a tech, nothing stands out that would keep me from buying it depending on actual condition of vehicle since you didn't post pics.

 

I would be interested to know what repairs are needed on this car for $13k just from reading what he has posted, unless I missed something

 

Will make final decision once PPI has been completed.

 

Love that color. Did you find a shop for PPI? Where is the car located? I know a few shops in florida

 

It's located in Georgia. Planning on having PPI done today.

I've been writing a list if things to check based on input from others on the forum and different YouTube channels.

Maybe the shop will have these by default when they complete an inspection, I don't know.

So far, it seems SBC has never been replaced. This is probably my biggest concern.

Here my list. Let me know if I'm missing something or should be added.

Check

(Oberved before test drive)
•Drive/passenger seats lumbar adjuster. Not working when tested.
•SOS Tele Aid malfunction
•Front brake rotor uneven wear? Due to replace?
•Rear tire tread left. Seemed to have little left.

Please check the following.
•Fuel recall? Confirm this VIN was not part of it recall campaign. Pump, relay, filter, tank....

•Scan ECM (Any stored codes)

•Brake fluid test?

•Has brake SBC module/hydraulic unit replaced?
Any SBC code in the ECU?
Does it need to be replaced?
Number of actuations?
Is it near replacement?
Cost to replace SBC?

•Fluid leaks: Valve cover, rear main seal, transmission, power steering, front crank?

•Engine mount condition/need replacement?

•Air suspension /airmatic: fully functional? Any leaks?

•Coolant/antifreeze test

•Transmission fluid condition? fresh red or dirty black
•Transmission fluid level correct?

•Uneven tire wear

 

Solid list so far. When we do PPI we check for any signs of body/paint work that may not have been disclosed. How does the car actually drive. Transmission adaptations, they can print a control unit log that has all these values. Values near acceptable limits can indicate wear in the transmission. I think the biggest thing is finding a shop that is very familiar with these vehicles that can detect small things that are out of place. Even if they have all these service records from an indy you want to know it was done right. You may not be able to tell but if you start seeing missing under panel screws, panels held in with aftermarket clips, missing clips, incorrect drain plug crush washers, orange silicone oozing out of places, you may be ok with it but I would see it as perhaps the persons maintaining the car may not have proper knowledge of the car. No good MB tech uses orange silicone and they will make sure all the proper screws, clips, etc. is used.

 

The test drive was good. Solid ride. Test drove with radio off, no creaking, clacking, thumping, or other weird sounds. Pano roof opens smooth. Windows, door locks work vorrectly.

Drove it for about 45 minutes. Smooth road, slightly rough road, over speed bump, in stop/go traffic. All was good. A/C blows cold.

Really impressed for a car that old.

Now waiting for PPI to be completed. I've emailed my list to them. Don't know if some of those items are on there already.