Check Engine Electronics. Help!!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

iuecon99 · #1 10-01-2013, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

Before things get too far out of control, can you pay CASH for a new car? If not, can you finance for 2 years? If you are planning on a 7 year car loan you are beyond help as near the end of the loan you will be putting money into a car that isn't paid off. . . Don't substitute a actual bad decision for one you have made and perceived to be bad.

Next, was the car a private sale or dealer sale?

Did you get it checked out by a non seller mechanic _prior_ to purchase?

When you post repair prices, post _specific_ line items ( each part, labor, shop frees, tax ) , a general price doesn't mean much.

Where was the specific location of the rear end leak?

Lower outer bushing boots as in rear of car?

"" Also said "other than that it's in good shape for a car with 142000 miles." I do trust this shop which is worthwhile even if their prices are on the high side. ""

Why would you walk away from a car that is apparently decent condition?

For today, they showed the following:

LABOR
$95 to diagnose check engine light, finding EGR Valve needing to be replaced.
Replace EGR Valve 47.50
Clean out EGR Tube 47.50
Hazardous Materials 5.10

PARTS
EGR Valve 1121400060 $165
Gasket, EGR Valve $5
Shop supplies $5.70

For the recommendations, not much detail. Just says "Rear lower outer control arm bushings have broken boots. Estimate $390." And "The rear differential has a slight leak and should be resealed. Estimate $600."

I cannot pay cash for a new car. I could finance it over 2 years, would prefer 3 but I could swing 2.

So this will reveal how badly I went about this process- I did not take the car to my own mechanic. I was referred to this dealer by a couple of close friends who had good experiences there. The dealer said his mechanic had examined the car and it was in excellent condition. Car was sold as is, no warranty. For all I know the dealer didn't know it needed all this work, but I have no recourse anyway and it certainly is my fault for not insisting on going to my own mechanic. Live and learn.

As far as why I would walk away from the car, it's because I didn't have a good appreciation of how expensive these cars are to maintain when you aren't doing any of the work yourself. If I had confidence that another couple thousand dollars would get me through two years, that would be one thing, but given what's cropped up in only 2 months I have no confidence in it at all. I feel like every day I'll be just waiting for the check engine light to come on and boom, another several hundred dollars. I know people that have been in this same situation with used cars and just got deeper and deeper since they were more invested in it as time went on.