PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

joegolden · #1 08-13-2019, 08:29 PM

I wasn’t real sure where to list this. So I just thought I’d put it right here. Feel free to move it if necessary of course.

As a small Tennessee dealer I’ll probably buy 20 cars a year at auction. Very small. Mostly newer cars that I have sold. But every now and then something will catch my eye as a little project.

So at today’s auction I found a 2000 e430 with 163,000 miles. It’s had four owners so it has been passed around a little bit. It was certified Star Mark or preowned after the first owner. The second owner only kept it about three months. Third and fourth owners were fairly long term owners with the last owner taking it to Rbm Mercedes in Atlanta for service on the regular. Actually the only service records showing on the Carfax were from the last owner and where they took it to Rbm of Atlanta.

I bought the car sight unseen but the pictures look pretty good. White with tan interior It has a matching set of Pirelli tires. That have good tread left. The interior photos showed no unusual wear but the headliner is drooping in the back. All the trim and seats look good with the exception of the radio needing the code but I know how to get that. It comes with 2 keys so this is a HUGE and very unusual bonus.

Now....the fun part....hoping that Manheim was honest with the condition report. The car scored a 2.4 points out of 5 Which is not great. But not at all unusual for the age of the car. Most of the negative has to do with the exterior. It does have some hail damage to roof and trunk lid. Car spent some time in OK. There are deductions due to headliner droop and staining. Interior handle wear a crack in the bumper. The radio code. A bunch of small stuff. Usually if there are any warning lights on, the air-conditioning doesn’t work or anything mechanical wrong with the car IT will be listed in the notes They Even make notes if it’s low on fuel. There were no additional comments. Said title was here and ready to go.

So I bought it for $1560 after auction fees. I will go get it this weekend. Fingers crossed. Always an adventure going downtown Atlanta and fishing your bought car out of the sold lot with 1000 cars sitting in it Hoping no one has vandalized it or stolen something off of it. It happens. I bought a Honda Odyssey 2 yrs ago and someone managed to steal half of the dash board. Lol
Maybe not this time.

I shall return with a verdict soon