PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - W201 test drive (and fun and games trying to buy a car)

pj67coll · #24 07-07-2013, 02:28 PM

Glad to hear you've finally found a food one. After some incredible experiences I am of the same opinion as you. The ad, the pictures and the conversation with the seller mean nothing. Only an inspection in person means anything and then expect the worst.

I've seen some incredible things recently. A 300sd 116 that looked good in the pics and was advertised as a runner. When I went to see it it was hooked up to a battery charger but we were never able to get it to start. There was no air left in the front tires at all. The entire exhaust system was lying on the ground under the car in pieces and it looked as if a family of gerbils had inhabited the interior for a few years and tossed a couple of hand grenades into the cabin when they left.

Then there was the 123 300d that I went to see which seemed a lot better. The guy was using it as his daily driver and I arranged to meet him when he got back from work with it. So I figured this looked promising. But no. Looked like the car had been sprayed down with acid and the interior wasn't much better. It shook so badly I doubt there was anything left of any of the mountings on the car at all. But the best part was the oil pressure gauge didn't move at all. Remember he had just returned from work so it should have been fine. So when I looked at the dip stick it was bone dry. Not a hint of oil in the engine. Idiot feigned amazement but curiously just happened to have a a lot of bottles of oil on hand and we managed to get the gauge to register after putting several in.

Then there was the 240d looking great in the pics but stated as having a slight parking lot ding on the right side. Well apart from being quite incredibly badly trashed it looked as if someone had dropped cannon balls on the roof. I mean there were three dents about the size of cricket balls in the roof above the doors and the entire right side had been smashed in along the whole length of the car.

So I no longer have any expectation of honesty or frankly even common goddamm sense from these idiots when I go to look at a car and I try not to to have any hopeful expectations about it.

- Peter.