2002 C320 w 130k on it, should I buy it?

[SpecialDelivery]

I am considering buying this car. Any thoughts? I know the seat modules drain the batteries and the HVAC flaps go bad. Seller says he's had the car serviced by an inde (and has records) as he quit going to the dealer after his extended warranty ran out. Says he just replaced the "entire" AC system.

Planning on going to look at it tomorrow.

Anything specific I should look for?

Should I consider it or steer clear? Car is clean (looking) and ask is 3500 which is 500 over the book, but if it's got a new AC that is more fair.

[paul roberts]

He's asking 3500 or 3500 over book? Out here on the west coast through my shop, I see this same year in good shape with lower miles sell between 3000 and 5000 all day long. Depending on a repair, it doesn't necessarily increase the value of the car, but it will make it easier to sell.

[SpecialDelivery]

Originally Posted by paul roberts

He's asking 3500 or 3500 over book? Out here on the west coast through my shop, I see this same year in good shape with lower miles sell between 3000 and 5000 all day long. Depending on a repair, it doesn't necessarily increase the value of the car, but it will make it easier to sell.

sorry I corrected my post, the asking is $500 over book.

PSS - funny thing is I asked him this morning "what is wrong with the car" he told me something about the gas pedal he was going to fix. later on today he called me to tell me he was bringing the car to a local Benz inde, I told him I read about that model and had some concerns, he asked about what I told him the seat control modules draining the battery and he says "oh yeah this car has that problem, I've got them unplugged. "no one else would have known to ask about that but you did, I would have told you any way" I was like...the modules are $200. He said he's going to see if his inde buddy has them and will install them for him.

We got off the phone and I sent him a text asking why he didnt tell me about that when I asked what was wrong with the car and what else was wrong with the car....he didn't write back but did call me. I didn't take the call as I was at dinner with friends. We will see what tomorrow brings but I am less than comfortable because of the omission, which of course could have been an over sight.

I'm betting the modules will be plugged back in and I will be told they were replaced...annnnnnnnnnd so does anyone know if there's a revised part number? are there aftermarkets available or is it a dealer only part?


EDIT - I found this...So I guess there are revised part numbers...

https://www.amazon.com/GENUINE-Mercedes-CONTROL-MODULE-MEMORY/dp/B00D348T08

[anziani]

I would find an "indie" of my own and take the car to him. Look in the "General Discussion" of this forum for recommendations if you need an indie. A friendly stop at the local Benz dealer service department might get you some more info. And what about that particular forum on the Benz forum group? It might cost a couple of bills but it might save you a lot.
Anziani
'97 CL600 66K

[anziani]

Take a look here and if you join, you can use their "search' section and start finding answers.
W203 C-Class - Mercedes-Benz Forum
Anziani
'97 CL600 66K

[97 SL320]

Did he provide the VMI report or did you get it? ( The VMI is a internal MB confidential document so don't tell the dealer or MB you have it. )

It shows a AC evaporator being changed in 2008 at ~ 60 k miles . I would not call that the entire AC system. And, . . the car is now at 130K.

Did he buy the car new?

How long has he had it? ( then ask to see the title just before the deal goes through to see if the story matches. )

Was the car always driven in Florida? If it made regular trips to salty areas that is just as bad as a Northern car that made trips to the South. ( look at the underhood aluminum, if fluffy white, dull it has seen salt. )

Try to find out the name of the dealer is was purchased from. ( dealer # 15309 )

Run his contact info through Google and see if any other cars for sale pop up. ( This weeds out unlicensed dealers posing as owners )

[oldsinner111]

go to Carsurvey.org - Car Reviews anytime you want to buy a car,wrote by people not bought by companies.

[97 SL320]

Also look at the "owner" listed in the VMI then find it here.

https://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/bulletins/2016/090616.pdf

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

If you're still considering buying this car; along with the other members suggestions; make sure that you get a full PPI report done on it by a reputable MB mechanic. Best of luck!

Happy Holidays.


-Dmitry

[SpecialDelivery]

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

Also look at the "owner" listed in the VMI then find it here.

https://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/bulletins/2016/090616.pdf

Very good info in this and your previous post. Craiglist is a bucket of ****ery for sure. I'll have to go see the car and check it out. Curious as to why his license is suspended and how this will help me negotiate the price. He's got a ton of cars posted in the by owner section of CL, now I know why. He claims this car is his mothers car for the last three years. Personally I don't believe a thing he says.

Where/how can I find out which dealer is 15309?

I know the dealer didn't install the HVAC system, I saw the evap from 2008, seller said he replaced the radiator, condenser, compressor and refrig lines with OEM equivalent parts....we'll see.

The VMI was provided to me by the dealer when I gave them the VIN. I won't have a dealer work on the car anyway, they're WAY too expensive.

The indies round these parts say the engine and trans are solid, that they cars have electrical and window problems. Fortunately for me I've got a good, no a great indie (though not a benz specialist) on my side. I'll likely take the car to him for a shakedown.

Seller told me he's moved the car to Benz Connection on Davis Road who is a friend of his, to install something with the accelerator pedal, so using them for a PPI is out.

At the end of the day, I like the car, but I'm not going to over pay for it and this seller has been less than honest with me from the getgo, (didnt tell me about the seats, so I presume he was going to plug the modules back in before I arrived) so we'll see what else I can find out.

Really good info about his license being suspended so we'll see how bad he wants to sell this car on Monday.

Thanks for all your support everyone and have a great holiday!

[SpecialDelivery]

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

Also look at the "owner" listed in the VMI then find it here.

https://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/bulletins/2016/090616.pdf

I found how to search FLHSMV.gov.... the license was revoked and reinstated 6 days later.

[97 SL320]

He's got a ton of cars posted in the by owner section of CL, now I know why. He claims this car is his mothers car for the last three years. Personally I don't believe a thing he says.

Run away, find a car from a real " for sale by owner". When a dealer / flipper posts in "by owner" to circumvent paying fees to Craigslist / hide that they are a dealer, they are off my list immediately. If they are willing to lie right from the start when posting the ad, they are bound to be willing to be less than truthful about the car.

The owner listed on the VMI is probably from 2008 so I we can't be sure it is the same guy unless you have other info.

As a side note, my 97 SL320 was sold new in Cape Coral at dealer 14302 . In the past I found a number to dealer listing but can't find it now.

[atikovi]

Originally Posted by SpecialDelivery

I told him I read about that model and had some concerns, he asked about what I told him the seat control modules draining the battery and he says "oh yeah this car has that problem, I've got them unplugged. "no one else would have known to ask about that but you did, I would have told you any way" I was like...the modules are $200. He said he's going to see if his inde buddy has them and will install them for him.

We got off the phone and I sent him a text asking why he didnt tell me about that when I asked what was wrong with the car and what else was wrong with the car....he didn't write back but did call me.

When you're buying a 15 year old Mercedes, seat modules should be the least of your concerns. Engine, transmission and climate control would be my primary focus. Unless you have multiple drivers, wouldn't you leave the seat in the same position anyway? If you did have to move it, just plug it in for a minute. And looking up the NADA price, it shows $5,500 with those miles.

Originally Posted by SpecialDelivery

He's got a ton of cars posted in the by owner section of CL, now I know why. He claims this car is his mothers car for the last three years. Personally I don't believe a thing he says.

If you get a PPI, you won't have to believe a thing he says. Generally I wouldn't believe anything a seller on CL says anyway, be it a dealer or private listing.

[SpecialDelivery]

I did find this...

08-03-2013
77,676 mi.
Gulf Atlantic Motors
Listing Price : $9,950
Vehicle Mileage : 77,676 miles

on https://www.vehiclehistory.com

Interesting....it's a month after the last visit to the service department at the Benz dealership.

Seller told me the service advisor "Andre" at Naples MB has been his guy and knows all about the car. They're who I got the VMI from ... a guy named Luke...and he told me...in the FIVE years since he's been there (drumroll) there IS NO ANDRE working there.

Seller is like most used car dealers only telling half the truth. Too bad he's buddy with the guy who owns Benz Connection on Davis road, that would be the place to go for a PPI. Good thing my friend Josh owns a shop and has a Solus, so a LONG test drive I will take....see if that drive shaft is a vibrating!

[tyl604]

And you continue to be interested in this car???