A little help checking out cars out of state
 

I'm searching around for a nice 93 300D and I'm seeing a few here and there. How do people check them out from other states before they fly out ? Last time, I bought one in CA and relied on photos. The owner was willing to take more pics and brought it to a mechanic after I saw the photos.

This time it might be a nicer car and I want some eyes on it before I figure out if its a real potential. So here are the questions:

- does other forum members ever volunteer to check it out ? What's the etiquette for that ?
- is there a reliable car checker service to use ?

The intent would be to check it out visually up close and then I'll send the car to a mechanic for inspection.

There's a general willingness as long as it's nearby.

BTW there's a nice 91 (same as what you're looking for) on the Cape Cod CL....although the guy lives in Vermont. He's been hugging his high price for quite some time....perhaps he's ready to come down.

1991 300D MERCEDES-BENZ, GREAT CONDITION!

Or you can buy my 95! :D

I wonder if we could create a list of people around the country who would be willing to check out vehicles for members? I'd be willing to be put down for Northeastern MA/Southern NH. I might be able to travel further if someone paid for fuel ;).

Sure, paying for fuel would be fine. If I had the time, I think it would be kinda fun.

If anybody ever wanted to see something in Minneapolis, MN ....

1991 300D MERCEDES-BENZ, GREAT CONDITION!

I saw this ad this weekend. What do you think of that price ? I guess it depends on the history and condition.

Wonder if there is some one out on that direction ....

2 thoughts
 

If you haven't already, do a search on Pelican to compare prices from forum members selling their cars to the Craigslist ad price. You also mentioned if there was a reliable car checker service. Wasn't sure if you meant Carfax.com or something else. Carfax will give you 5 reports for $35. So if you amortize it, that's $7 a report. I've probably used it three times this year and believe me, that $7 saved me a bunch of money, either by helping me not buy or negotiate a lower price.

I wasn't saying there is a reliable source. I was asking if any knows of one. I do not know any.

Has anyone used that eBay car inspection service called Inspect My Ride ? It's $129 for an inspection.

As they say......
 

....you learn something new everyday. I didn't know eBay offered that service. Sounds like a great idea. Most MB's I've had inspected usually cost about $150. If you're considering buying out of state I think purchasing al Carfax report is a must.

I'm all for the Carfax ! Did it on my last purchase and will use again.

I can't tell anything from those pictures other than it's a quarter to three and the designation badges are higher on the trunk lid than they should be. $5700 should buy you the best maintained 2.5 in the country.

Sixto
87 300D

Car fax and similar isn't the end all to be all. About all it is good for is a mileage trail / where the car was registered. If someone pays for body damage out of pocket it won't show up on the report. Nor will it show someone running the car out of oil and damaging the motor.

Their body damage rating was inaccurate in my cars case. My 97 SL320 showed moderate rear damage, you would be reasonable to think rear bumper, bumper bar, tail light panel, tail lights, trunk lid.

I had owned the car for a few months had been over it pretty thoroughly and did see a small dent in the rear of the spare tire well. Looking at this area again after reading the Car fax report I did see evidence of the rear bumper cover being replaced and NO damage to the bumper bar. I'd hardly consider this "moderate damage"

I don't like the strategy Car fax uses to scare consumers in to thinking their reports are better than a physical inspection and if a car dealer that does not offer the report for free they are hiding something. Shaming car lots into offering the service is unethical.

There is a growing Federal VIN database instituted to prevent VIN cloning and title washing.

I could look at cars in the SE NC area as long as my fuel gets covered. I live in Wilmington (about 65 miles North of Myrtle Beach, SC) and almost exactly 100 miles from Raleigh. I have limited M-B experience but many decades of general car experience and worked in the automotive field for virtually my whole life.

After owning a couple of 123's I know where the rust likes to hide.

Let me know if I can help.

Request a PPI, maybe someone will offer to help, fuel costs are pretty much the norm.

Dan Stokes- are you any where near Boone ? I have a potential car there.

Never mind. I just mapped it out. No where close.

What's a PPI?

Pre Purchase Inspection.