What do y'all think of this W210 turbo?
 

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=222888323&dealer_id=29680869&car_year=1998&model=&num_records=25&make2=&start_year=19 81&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=Diesel&awsp=false&search_type=both& distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=&make=MB&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchfo rm&min_price=9000&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&addres s=11771&advanced=y&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=14000&cardist=13

About 17 miles from me. I am crazy considering it, especially since I am basing my price opinion on research I did two years prior when I purchased my 190D, but looking at ebay they seem to go for about $15K. :confused: 60K miles could probably be dumped on it and still worth 9K as long as nothing major goes wrong. :confused:

Looks good to me...
 

If you want it go for it! It only has 109k on it so it should still be OK. I would ask to see the owner's manual and service records. If they are in the car and up to date it might be worth it. Or you can turn it around on ebay and make 3 grand...

From the pics, the body is not perfect, even the description calls the body "pretty good". Certainly not like some of the pristine looking ones on ebay. If anything I would offer $11K.

Looks like a reasonable example of a 98/99 turbo that is priced appropriately. I agree you might get it a lil bit cheaper.

Check if GP's have been R & R'd sometime in the past, that top of spring perches remain sealed up good with factory sealant/coating (no splits or tears) and that AC blows cold.

Those are the major issues with the W210; the rest of the 606.962 engine issues are generally easier DIY type repairs.

99 they offered rear head protection air bags; 98 had front seat only.

Just my 0.02, but I would avoid a car that's lived in CT for 10 years. My '91 Golf was only there for about 8 and that was enough to make many simple repairs challenging due to frozen hardware. In my book it's worth paying a premium to find a California or SW car.

I'd look it over and have an MB shop do a PDI with emphasis on the spring perches. If it is clean, I'd start with 10500.

Not bad. Not a perfect car but priced right. Go for it if you want it.

3rd rule of acquisition: Never pay more for an acquisition than you have to.
I'd start at 10500 and work my way up if you have to.

141st rule of acquisition: Only fools pay retail.
Find out what trade in is and work from there.

218th rule of acquisition: Always know what you're buying.
Know all the problems of the vehicle. Talk to MB and see their service records. Find as much fault as you can with it.

how old is the autotrader listing i ran the carfax and as of 02/05/2007 it had 110,024 miles

04/14/1998
Delaware
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Wilmington, DE
Registered as corporate vehicle

04/14/1998 11 Miles
Delaware
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Wilmington, DE
Title #00525761 Title or registration issued First owner reported

10/23/1998 8,598 Service Facility Vehicle serviced

02/03/1999 12,965 Service Facility Vehicle serviced Brakes serviced

04/19/2000 26,751 Service Facility Vehicle serviced Cooling system serviced
Air conditioning serviced Brakes serviced Engine serviced Suspension system serviced

07/01/2000 29,917 Service Facility Vehicle serviced Electrical system serviced

05/28/2001 39,232
Delaware
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Wilmington, DE
Title #00525761 Title or registration issued

07/02/2001 42,094 Service Facility Vehicle serviced Engine serviced

11/12/2001 50,105 Service Facility Vehicle serviced Electrical system serviced

06/25/2002 58,559 Service Facility Vehicle serviced Engine serviced

11/15/2002 62,983
Delaware
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Wilmington, DE
Title #00525761 Title or registration issued

09/13/2004 85,711
Delaware
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Wilmington, DE
Title #00525761 Title or registration issued

11/22/2004 88,471 Service Facility Vehicle serviced Suspension system serviced
Engine serviced Cooling system serviced Brakes serviced Electrical system serviced

02/05/2007 110,024
Delaware
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Wilmington, DE
Title #00525761 Title or registration issued

08/21/2007 Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc. No recalls open for repair

Blacksheep5 - thank you very much for the information. :cool:

I see DE all over that report, no mention of CT. :confused:

And how the heck does it have less mileage now than in Feb of this year? :puzzled:

BTW, do services have to be done at a MB dealer to be on the report?

alkim- getting a good deal is my primary objective in nearly any purchase especially since this is something I do not need.

Between the body imperfections, etc offering $10.5K sounds reasonable. What is the best way to put that after the test drive?

Will you take $10.5k cash?! Cash talks, excuses walk.:D

I'm in sales, DUH!:P:D

Probably you should act now if you are interested.
 

Maybe they are mistaken about the Conn. ownership? It is very possible the car may have been a company car licensed in Delaware, as Delaware is the state where many large corporations are registered, and due to the special tax and incorporation laws of Delaware which protect them, and make it so attractive to register their corporation, and maybe even their company cars.

Just a guess.

It sounds like an average or slightly above average car with average mileage for its year, with a slightly optimistic price.

If it is not far from you in NY, I would definately drive it and try to look at the books and records. If it is only the 2nd owner the dealer got it from, they might still be there.

It should be inspected for rust and the spring perch problem.

If you like it, and the price is reasonable, I would make the offer. They are in VERY high demand, these days, so the price won't be TOO soft. Try to portray yourself as viewing the car as a hunk of iron you need to purchase, with reluctance, but that you really DO need to buy one, and would do so today if a reasonable price could be reached. That will be a bit hard because good cars of this kind are in high demand.

Should you like the car, I wouldn't worry too much about paying a little bit high for the car. What you paid for the car today won't matter too much if you like the car and kept it for a number of years after you bought it
.
Sometimes it is said a fair deal was had if BOTH sides go away from the deal a little unhappy.

You should be able to nab this one. It should clean up really nicely, and the color is quite attractive.

Cars like this have been used from new as Taxis all over Europe, so they have to have some real toughness for that.

Sixto has been looking for a car like this in the San Francisco Bay Area for awhile, and reported that that they have been selling almost instantly when a nice one turned up.



Is there a service booklet with dealer or shop stamps in it, when you look at the car? With just two owners before this dealer got his hands on it, there is a good chance it would still be there, unless the dealer or the previous owner threw it out. It would tell whether the car lived in Ct. by the stamps in the booklet.

Getting the VMI would be helpful in that regard, for its location during its warranty was in effect, if any claims were made on it.

There, fixed it for you.
:)