Buying an out of state Mercedes

[dproudfo]

Hey everyone,

I'm finally looking into purchasing a Mercedes for myself and I'm shopping out of state. I live in MN and am looking all over the country (rust free states) and I'm being as patient as possible and trying to take as many precautions as I can when it comes to shopping for a used vehicle. I suppose I'm just worried about how bad things can potentially go when buying a used vehicle. I also realize that at some point you're just going to have to take the plunge and hope that you did the proper research.

My question for the board is, because I'm not going to be able to inspect the car myself until I'm 99% committed to buying (on location), how should I go about having somebody qualified look at the car before I buy a plane ticket to pick the car up? Pre-purchase inspection from an authorized dealership? Inspection from a recommended independent (according to the forum of course)? I've also heard of people from the forum actually looking at a car for another member.

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thanks again!!

BTW: I'm looking for a W124. Either a Coupe from 92-95 or a 94-95 E420.

[sokoloff]

I'd ask for help from the members here when you think you've found one. I'd suggest you try to recruit a volunteer to give it a first going over for you. Then if it passes that test, ask them or someone for a recommendation of a place to get a PPI done. First see if the seller is willing to allow it. Could be a dealer or an independent, depending on the location.

[Jim B.]

I wouldn't worry.

What you are looking for is very doable.

There is a HUGE supply of rust free, wonderful cars in Southern California, and forum members down there who can help you with getting it inspected, finding a good mechanic or shop to give it the thumbs up, and help you get it shipped (or you could fly in, drive home.) Just get the $10 one way trip permit first.

Los Angeles is a true car culture, with owners who really care about their cars, and there are so many good ones, the abundance of mint ones drives the price down, (there is no snow, salt and rust to worry about) and the owners really love and care for their cars, and the shops, detailers, carwashes etc really cater to their owners, it is a serious business.

Look at this honey that just turned up, in Los Angeles, and one of our savvy members just nabbed.
1990 300CE Adoption Announcement

Look on your own, and know often the very best ones change hands on forums like this one, and are NOT advertised.

For example, Kevin ("Powerpig") back east, in Maryland has a collection that is pretty big, and is thinking about letting this honey of a 300CE go:
With the rare and coveted factory Sportline package, and a Remus exhaust,
it is a gem, if you enjoy the color.

Looking To Trade part of the Collection

And its owner, a very well liked and active forum member, has a sterling reputation.

The people here are REALLY friendly and helpful, when others seek aid buying a car out of state.

I was able to help a person who purchased a 1980 300SD from ebay, and lived in Chicago, get the car from San Francisco to her.

Helped with title and transfer, and setting up shipping, and some minor pre-shipping repairs were performed on the car.

Good luck!! This could be a lot easier than you think. It has been done and documented MANY times here.

[deanyel]

Jim B. makes this sound really easy. I personally have never been able to find cars in SoCal - too many miles, too much customization, too many big wheels/chrome wheels, etc. and if they're coastal cars they can be rusty. Buying a car long distance is just a rat's nest of potential problems but I nevertheless agree that you should look for a nice dry car. I think the formula is pictures, pictures, and more pictures, try to get some comfort one way or another that the car has been maintained, CarFax/Autocheck, then PPI, then just roll the dice - it's risky anyway you do it. BTW I would stick to 93-95 in a coupe to get the 3.2 motor.

[POS]

Texas also has a good supply - the cars to look for are the garaged ones. We don't have rust issues, but we can have sunburnt interior issues.

I've sold many cars to out-of-state buyers, and I think the most important thing is to talk to the Seller several times. Ask a few requests and see how he responds. Is he accomodating? Is he patient? Does he know what he's talking about? In short, you need to surmise if he's honest from several phone calls.

Asking someone from this site to look at it for you would be hugely beneficial, but also get Seller to take God-awful piles of high-res photos and send them to you.

[dproudfo]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Having been searching for a while now, a little confidence boost that I'll find the right car is much needed.

The more that I search for my car, I find that there really isn't anything anymore that suprises me with regard to what people try to sell and how they go about selling it. I'm always impressed by people that post listings and can't even spell things correctly, let alone have proper grammar. If I'm going to spend thousands of dollars on something, the person I'm buying it from better be able to write a coherent sentence. If the person is too lazy to proof read their listing then I'll assume they've probably been lazy with the way they treat their car as well. The ShopForum should have a section devoted to the most ridiculous listings people come across. (Very humorous sometimes)

What amazes me most are people that have cars with relatively low mileage on them (under 100,000) and they look like they have 500,000.

The last time I checked, a Mercedes wasn't just a throw away car like a Geo Metro. I just can't stand people that treat them that way. God forbid you wash the car more often than once every twelve years. (Especially when you're selling the damn thing) I came across a listing yesterday that showed pictures of the car for sale with McDonald's bags under the armrest. Apparently the selling point is, "it comes with fries too."

The hunt continues. (Maybe I should just ask Santa for my car )

[deanyel]

Agree - what makes it difficult to find one is that the vast majority of 124s, maybe 80 or 90 percent, are not well taken care of these days. I guess the market value just isn't there to justify proper maintenance and repair. And most of those people with crap cars misrepresent them either naively or intentionally. So you have to sort through a lot of bad cars and a lot of misrepresentation.

[anziani]

I live in the Palm Springs area which has more than their share of retirees. (I am one) The bulk of the used Mercedes here are in great shape. While desert cars can be faded most owners here are upscale and garage their cars.

I am the second owner of a '87 300E with 198K. The car has always been garaged and there is not a mark on it. In fact, I believe the wiper blade is the original.(Rain, what is that?) Everything has been replaced on the car and it has been meticuously maintained. I have records of close to $24K over the last 8 years. Expensive, yes, ridiculous, maybe, but I have a perfect 124 that still looks great and I would not be afraid to take off for the East Coast tomorrow. The car hasn't a single rattle and is as quiet at 80 as my '95 E420. The transmission has always been serviced and is smoother than my newer Benz.
Yes, there are good 124's out here. One just has to find them.

[outofspec]

I’m also an inhabitant of the frozen rust-belted North just across the river in Hudson Wisconsin. I drive older Mercedes, and like you, don’t like to deal with the rust issues up here. Additionally, this seems to be a relatively small market and the selection is limited. In the past six years I have purchased three Mercedes, long distance, over the internet; 1984 300SD, 1993 300E, and a 1989 300SEL. True, these cars are a little older then the ones you’re looking at, but I think the process and pitfalls are the same. Of the three purchases I was only happy with the 1993 300E. I have made a promise to myself never again to make a long distance car purchase. I really have no one to blame but myself for my discomfort and dissatisfaction with long distance car buying. I will tell you this though. It’s easy to get caught up in the process, excitement, and thrill of the hunt, to a point where you make bad decisions.
These are some of my observations of the long distance car buying process. Please keep in mind that all three of the cars I purchased were one owner, low mileage vehicles. Additionally, none of my cars cost over $7,000 dollars including shipping. I’m not a rich man, but I figure a $7,000 car purchase is not life and death. I was willing to take a bit of a gamble in the process if I felt good about the deal.

Pictures and People can be Deceiving
Almost any car can be made to look good in online photographs. In most of the photos that I’ve seen, cosmetic imperfections rarely show up. Additionally, descriptive terms of condition are so subjective that even a seller that is only stretching the truth a little bit can cause dissatisfaction with a purchase. If a seller (and many of them are) is blatantly misleading it can be a tragedy for the buyer.

Time and Travel are Money
I chose not to fly out to the buyer/car to make the final transaction/personal inspection and drive the car home. I just did not have the time or inclination. I reasoned that I felt comfortable enough with the information I had, and that by the time I got all the way out there only a major problem would stop the transaction. In hindsight this action may seem stupid, but you have to ask yourself, “How many plane tickets and full days do I want to spend kicking tires across the country? Additionally, if you choose to ship a car like I did rather then make the flight and drive plan on $1000 for shipping. On a $10,000 car that’s 10%. A significant amount.

What’s More Important a Good Car or a Good Deal?
I wanted both, and I think that’s almost impossible when buying long distance. Car guys are everywhere and we’re all looking for a good price on a good car. A local buyer will almost always get the best deal, or force you into a compromising situation to get it yourself. The logistics of a long distance car buy are not conducive to a good price. Inspections, money transfers, seller’s time involvement and commitment to the process, long distance seller doubt and hesitation, buyer long distance hesitation and doubt are all negative factors. Long distance car deals take time. If it’s a good car at a good price it will rarely wait for your due diligence.

Inspections are Vital and Costly and Time Consuming and a Hassle and can be Subjective and……
NEVER BUY A CAR LONG DISTANCE WITHOUT A FULL INSPECTION, MULTIPLE INSPECTIONS ARE EVEN BETTER. My mistake was that the inspection didn’t fit into my “Good car, Good price” requirement. I had to move fast to get the cars as buyer competition appeared stiff. I ran car faxes, studied lots of photographs, asked pointed and in depth questions of what I though were reasonable sellers, but to no avail. With the 300SD I actually had a good friend that I thought was a good car guy look the car over for me. He said good, when I got the car, I thought bad. What can you say it’s subjective in a lot of respects. An inspection once over may catch some glaring mechanical issues, but the cosmetic and mechanical wear issues are still subjective to a certain extent. I’m sure some shops are better then others at giving inspections and condition assessments, but how can you be sure you get the right guy to look at the car from 2000 miles away? A good inspection costs money. Again you have to ask yourself “How many inspections do I want to do and how do I know the car is even worthy of the inspection investment?

The Search for Perfection
I love cars, particularly Mercedes and I know the difference between a good one and a not so good one. The problem is that when I buy long distance my minds eye envisions the perfect car, one might say even an unreasonable car. It’s tough for any reality to live up to what I have brewing in my head, and leaves lots of room for disappointment. The long distance buying process also taut me that I am obsessive compulsive to a certain extent. With the whole country as my market and the internet as a tool I spent way way way too much time on the hunt. It actually started to affect my relationships and my work. It sounds crazy but it’s true. I always felt that as soon as I turned off the computer the perfect car would pop up on Craigslist San Diego or Autotrader and I’d miss it. In the end I needed to make a purchase just to take me out of my own misery.

Well that’s the end of mi diatribe. I’m sure a lot of you have had a great long distance buying experience. For me it was a challenge. I’ve been thinking about it and if I ever buy a car long distance again I’ve got a plan. I’m going to pick a sun belt city and turn the car buying experience into a vacation. Spend a few days looking, a few days playing, and a few days driving. In the end I think laying eyes on a car and comparing my choices in person is better then long distance relying on everyone else for their assessment.

Good luck with your search.

[Richard Wooldridge]

I also purchased a car on Ebay, a 1979 450SL, bright red. I suppose I did everything wrong according to the advice given here, but I think I lucked out. First, I live in Washington State, and the car's location was Miami, Florida - just about as far away as one can get and still be in the contiguous United States. Secondly, I bought the car from a used car dealer, which some people warn against. I think I got the car for a good price - 4K, and although the dealer told me the car had some rust, it was actually relatively rust-free, having been a Palm Desert, CA car until the year before it went to Florida. The used car dealer turned out to be a very honest guy (couple, actually), and had installed new belts, given it a tuneup, etc. before I arrived to pick it up. (I had some miles accrued, so I flew to Miami and drove it home.) I had some problems with the car on the drive home, but nothing I couldn't fix, and it was a very fun drive... The first problem was a bad outer wheel bearing on the left front wheel - I replaced it on the road with one from a Napa store. Second problem showed itself after about 4 hrs of driving - a distinctly acid smell, and checking the voltage showed the alternator was charging full bore all the time. I fixed it with a new regulator module. The third problem was a rattley speedometer cable, which I had to pull the steering wheel to fix, in the middle of Texas. That's where the 4th problem showed up, which was that the heater didn't work, a very common problem on that vintage car. I bought an electric heater at a truck stop and wired it in, which was enough to keep the car warm until I got home and replaced the servo unit with a digital replacement. I put the car up on the rack and inspected it very carefully when I got home - it was in amazingly good shape - new shocks, brakes, new front frame, NO rust anywhere that I could find. The problems it had were: a worn steering coupler, worn shifter bushings, wornout warmup regulator, the aforementioned bad servo along with some bad vacuum pods and a bad vacuum check valve, wornout seat covers, which I had replaced at a place in North Hollywood on the trip home, and - that's it! So I put about $2000 in it in repairs including new leather seats and new carpets, and I have a great looking car inside and out, that runs like a new car! The dealer did have at least 25 photos of the car online, which I looked at very carefully, and I had a free ticket and some time, which helped considerably. I drove from Augusta, GA to North Hollywood in 2 days, which says that the car was in real good driving condition, the aforementioned faults aside. I realize that this sort of purchase is NOT for everyone, but I really enjoyed the trip, all except for one very cold morning in Texas, until I bought that heater... I thought Texas was supposed to be WARM!

[Pete Geither]

Those are some great storys and advice. I for one appreciate all of your imput as I have been contemplating a long distance purchase. I need to start looking a bit closer, as I want/need to touch-see-feel, before I lay down the money.

[kchemers]

I have purchased 3 cars form out of state, 2 were from MBCA members and the 3rd was from Ebay, All 3 were just as they were represented, 1976 240D with 230,000 miles on it, I bought that from a guy in SAn Antonio, flew in and drove it home 1300 miles, 1989 300TE from a guy in Dallas, flew in and drove it home 1000 miles, 1987 560SL from a guy in Scottsdale flew in an drove it home 1800 miles. Finally sold the 240D after 3 years, 300TE is daily driver and the SL is for fun. Ask a lot of questions, and pictures, pictures, pictures, talk to the seller on the phone, if you don't like answers look someplace else.
I looked for the SL for almost 2 years until I found the one I bought

[dproudfo]

Thanks everyone for your input on the issue. It's always great to hear success stories. I also understand that I still need be patient as well as attentive to the many caveats that go with the hunt. I have another question with regards to a vehicle pre-inspection.

Where would be a good place to post a request for someone from the forum to take a look at a vehicle for me? Tech help?

Any other tips when posting the request? (ie; credibility, etc.)

Thanks once again!

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by dproudfo

Thanks everyone for your input on the issue. It's always great to hear success stories. I also understand that I still need be patient as well as attentive to the many caveats that go with the hunt. I have another question with regards to a vehicle pre-inspection.

Where would be a good place to post a request for someone from the forum to take a look at a vehicle for me? Tech help?

Any other tips when posting the request? (ie; credibility, etc.)

Thanks once again!

Tech help is good, but probably Diesel discussion. This is where the MOST site traffic is, and the most heavily loaded up with actual mechanics, shop tech, garage owners and SERIOUS DIYers. However, most of them know best about the pre-1996 cars, and like them.

It's a great help if you
are known to some of them as a contributing poster, too, who can and does give advice, and they know who you are, not some in and out n00b stranger. They are really great people and know their knowledge.

You might also try the model specific section on www.Benzworld.org , as the W123 and W126 sections, and others, are VERY heavily trafficked there also in model specific sections.

These people on these forums, know good shops, too, in their towns and areas, AND don't forget to try the "Good Shops" section either on this site.

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by outofspec

I’m also an inhabitant of the frozen rust-belted North just across the river in Hudson Wisconsin. I drive older Mercedes, and like you, don’t like to deal with the rust issues up here. Additionally, this seems to be a relatively small market and the selection is limited. In the past six years I have purchased three Mercedes, long distance, over the internet; 1984 300SD, 1993 300E, and a 1989 300SEL. True, these cars are a little older then the ones you’re looking at, but I think the process and pitfalls are the same. Of the three purchases I was only happy with the 1993 300E. I have made a promise to myself never again to make a long distance car purchase. I really have no one to blame but myself for my discomfort and dissatisfaction with long distance car buying. I will tell you this though. It’s easy to get caught up in the process, excitement, and thrill of the hunt, to a point where you make bad decisions.
These are some of my observations of the long distance car buying process. Please keep in mind that all three of the cars I purchased were one owner, low mileage vehicles. Additionally, none of my cars cost over $7,000 dollars including shipping. I’m not a rich man, but I figure a $7,000 car purchase is not life and death. I was willing to take a bit of a gamble in the process if I felt good about the deal.

Pictures and People can be Deceiving
Almost any car can be made to look good in online photographs. In most of the photos that I’ve seen, cosmetic imperfections rarely show up. Additionally, descriptive terms of condition are so subjective that even a seller that is only stretching the truth a little bit can cause dissatisfaction with a purchase. If a seller (and many of them are) is blatantly misleading it can be a tragedy for the buyer.

Time and Travel are Money
I chose not to fly out to the buyer/car to make the final transaction/personal inspection and drive the car home. I just did not have the time or inclination. I reasoned that I felt comfortable enough with the information I had, and that by the time I got all the way out there only a major problem would stop the transaction. In hindsight this action may seem stupid, but you have to ask yourself, “How many plane tickets and full days do I want to spend kicking tires across the country? Additionally, if you choose to ship a car like I did rather then make the flight and drive plan on $1000 for shipping. On a $10,000 car that’s 10%. A significant amount.

What’s More Important a Good Car or a Good Deal?
I wanted both, and I think that’s almost impossible when buying long distance. Car guys are everywhere and we’re all looking for a good price on a good car. A local buyer will almost always get the best deal, or force you into a compromising situation to get it yourself. The logistics of a long distance car buy are not conducive to a good price. Inspections, money transfers, seller’s time involvement and commitment to the process, long distance seller doubt and hesitation, buyer long distance hesitation and doubt are all negative factors. Long distance car deals take time. If it’s a good car at a good price it will rarely wait for your due diligence.

Inspections are Vital and Costly and Time Consuming and a Hassle and can be Subjective and……
NEVER BUY A CAR LONG DISTANCE WITHOUT A FULL INSPECTION, MULTIPLE INSPECTIONS ARE EVEN BETTER. My mistake was that the inspection didn’t fit into my “Good car, Good price” requirement. I had to move fast to get the cars as buyer competition appeared stiff. I ran car faxes, studied lots of photographs, asked pointed and in depth questions of what I though were reasonable sellers, but to no avail. With the 300SD I actually had a good friend that I thought was a good car guy look the car over for me. He said good, when I got the car, I thought bad. What can you say it’s subjective in a lot of respects. An inspection once over may catch some glaring mechanical issues, but the cosmetic and mechanical wear issues are still subjective to a certain extent. I’m sure some shops are better then others at giving inspections and condition assessments, but how can you be sure you get the right guy to look at the car from 2000 miles away? A good inspection costs money. Again you have to ask yourself “How many inspections do I want to do and how do I know the car is even worthy of the inspection investment?

The Search for Perfection
I love cars, particularly Mercedes and I know the difference between a good one and a not so good one. The problem is that when I buy long distance my minds eye envisions the perfect car, one might say even an unreasonable car. It’s tough for any reality to live up to what I have brewing in my head, and leaves lots of room for disappointment. The long distance buying process also taut me that I am obsessive compulsive to a certain extent. With the whole country as my market and the internet as a tool I spent way way way too much time on the hunt. It actually started to affect my relationships and my work. It sounds crazy but it’s true. I always felt that as soon as I turned off the computer the perfect car would pop up on Craigslist San Diego or Autotrader and I’d miss it. In the end I needed to make a purchase just to take me out of my own misery.

Well that’s the end of mi diatribe. I’m sure a lot of you have had a great long distance buying experience. For me it was a challenge. I’ve been thinking about it and if I ever buy a car long distance again I’ve got a plan. I’m going to pick a sun belt city and turn the car buying experience into a vacation. Spend a few days looking, a few days playing, and a few days driving. In the end I think laying eyes on a car and comparing my choices in person is better then long distance relying on everyone else for their assessment.

Good luck with your search.

That is probably the BEST discourse on the subject I have ever read, worthy of memorialization in a "sticky".

Excellent observations, well told.