I bought my E300TD, sight unseen, on ebay in Feb. The car is awesome. I wanted a southern vehicle because I live in Chicago. I had the vehicle inspected twice before "buying it now". One inspection was by ebay, which I found to be ineffective. Never use the ebay inspection service. Those people are idiots. The guy selling me the vehicle told me that the inspector did not do a thorough job of checking the mechanical parts. The cosmetics were only checked. Then I found out from our board where to get a reputable indy in north Virginia. I had the seller bring the vehicle to W.B. motors and they thoroughly inspected it. Nothing was wrong mechanically with the vehicle. I had the seller touch up the paint and pull a few "door dings" out. The car is very clean and no one believes it has 95,000 miles. I drove it from Virginia to Chicago non-stop and it ran great.

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Ed
-1984 Mercedes 190D 2.2 5-speed gray market(bought@30,000 miles) (Sold back to original owner@170,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes E300DT (245,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes S500 Grand Edition (80,000 miles)

I would only buy from eBay if I could go see the car myself, or if I had a trusted friend I could send to evaluate the car. There is too much you can't determine from pictures on a computer screen. There's nothing to prevent you from searching for cars that are in your state or neighboring states, then actually making the time to go see cars that are especially interesting and that meet your criteria. My friend who does sell cars on eBay for a living says that almost no one ever comes to see the car in advance, and it really puzzles me how many people will make a fairly major cash outley on a car sight unseen. I'm not trusting enough to do it myself.

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http://webwench.net/albums/new83-300...1700.thumb.jpg
1983 300D-T
348,000 miles

I would buy a car on Ebay, but it would have to be close by or just exactly what I wanted at a price I cannot ignore.

Seems to me that Ebay's prices make it a buyers market, and a good place to purchase. Most of what I see on Ebay goes for about 1500 more when it's listed on Autotrader or in the paper. I am in the market for an older Cherokee, and one of my resources is Ebay. If the right one comes along I wouldn't hesitate.

Had some friends just buy a mid-80's land cruiser on Ebay with the specification that it had to pass emissions or the PO would pay to have whatever it needed done. They bought it, shipped it from Jersey (to Denver), and it cost just north of a grand to fix it. The seller never blinked an eye. Payed for everything.

The secret (I imagine) is in the fine print, get that right and it might be the best place in the world to buy a car.

Paul X.

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Pxland

2001 Honda Accord

1995 Jeep Cherokee

1973 MB 280SEL 4.5

Think about it, used car salesman are known the world over as vultures and are known to hide defects to cars that people can physically see.

Imagine what negatives can be ommited to buyers who can't test drive or see a car.

Very big chance to take if you can't see it!

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Enough about me, how are you doing?

Bought my 1993 500SL on e-bay. It had many photos and a carfax report. Had many conversations with the seller (Florida dealer). I never saw the car in person, but when it arrived, it was every bit as sharp as the photos indicated. Passed Pa. State inspection with no problems. Took it to a dealer to have all the fluids, belts, etc. checked. All OK. Seller had installed new struts and brakes. Now that I'm in MB club, etc., I've learned that there are more local cars for sale than I'd thought, so my next one I'd probably look at in person if it was local. But........e-bay was OK with me! If I were looking at a car from an individual vs a dealer, I think I'd have someone check it out.

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Bill in Pittsburgh
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1993 500SL

I bought a $500 85 Ford Club Wagon on ebay. Looked rough, ran great. I bought it on ebay sight unseen. I regret selling it.

Months before i almost bought an 83 Cadillac Seville on ebay, i won the auction, but when i got to the car it was junk really and wouldnt stay running. Now i know for 600 bucks you cant expect a great car.........but he said it ran. The car would start but died when you let go of the accelerator. I dont call that running. I was nice, i told him to keep the 106 bucks that i gave him for the deposit and i left.

All i can say to you is, i would never buy something more than 1000 bucks without seeing it or having it inspected by a 3rd party, too much of a gamble.

I just came home with my Ebay purchase. Details inside. Enjoy the read.

I finally pick up my first Benz.

Yes

Buyer faxing all documentation he claims to have and me traveling to see car before bidding/buying.

I bought my E320 last May from Ebay and it was great... after 2-3 ovp's , and 1-2 fuel pressure regulators, finding source of problem, and am happy with the purchase. These items could've happened even if I had bought the car from the corner dealer... I am very happy and would do ebay again. It all depends on the SELLER and the CAR being sold..

You are going to go see the car before bidding, no? Or bid ON CONDITION of inspection...

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1995 E320 smoke silver / parchment