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  #1  
Old 01-11-2009, 04:09 PM
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Question How Important Are Books and Service Records?

When buying a used Mercedes-Benz, or any vehicle for that matter?

For instance, which is more important to have books, records on......an in-factory warranty 2-year old AMG Mercedes-Benz, or, a 9 year old MB diesel with 60K miles on it?

I contend neither to be very important. It either is or isn't what you want when you test drive it, for X amount of dollars. I've not been burnt (yet) by buying a used Mercedes-Benz or a used diesel-motorcoach without books, records. A few small surprises? Yes, but nothing of significance to merit being a deal breaker, or a regretful purchase. It is what I thought it was when agreeing to a price on it.

Are you the type of buyer that will not purchase a pre-owned car without books, records?

If buying an MB from a private owner without books, records, will MB dealers provide service records to the new owner, if it is out-of-warranty?

I just cannot believe that books and records on any age Mercedes-Benz, are nearly as pertinent as the all important touchy-feely test drive and viewing.

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  #2  
Old 01-11-2009, 04:17 PM
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I think books and records are pretty important. I would not consider buying a car especially something over ten years old. I certainly would not have bought the SDL without records showing the timing chain being replaced, the vacuum pump being replaced, regular oil changes, etc.
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  #3  
Old 01-11-2009, 04:26 PM
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... and regular oil changes.
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  #4  
Old 01-11-2009, 04:30 PM
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Short of being in a major accident, I don't really care. Almost every car I buy I see as a project anyway. The exception is with the daily car. With the Audi, I got it from an Audi dealer, basically "certified pre-owned". The next sort-of-new car I buy, leaning towards Miata or RX-8, will be the same thing, from a dealer. Whatever causes the fewest headaches since it'll be the one car I have that runs. Old stuff? If it breaks, it's a good time to upgrade or enhance it anyway.
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  #5  
Old 01-11-2009, 04:31 PM
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The experience I have is that the more times a car is sold, subsequent owners that have a lower price of entry tend to equate that with less money spent on maintenance, when infact the inverse is true. The older a car gets, the more maintenance costs are going to be since the replacement parts are going to be more expensive than merely filters, fluids, pads, rotors and tires.

As with buying any big ticket item which you lack sufficient expertise, whether it's a car, real estate, boat . . . just get an appraisal done by a trusted professional.
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  #6  
Old 01-11-2009, 04:59 PM
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... and regular oil changes.
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  #7  
Old 01-11-2009, 05:13 PM
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Bot, are those checks from Exxon/Mobil monthly or quarterly?
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  #8  
Old 01-11-2009, 05:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MTI View Post
Bot, are those checks from Exxon/Mobil monthly or quarterly?
Checks? What checks?

OOohhhh .... those ......

It's a REFUND! Yeah, that's the ticket.

They overcharged me for gas the past 45 years and are making installment reimbursement.

Yeah. They OWED it to me. heh.
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  #9  
Old 01-11-2009, 05:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Botnst View Post
Checks? What checks?

OOohhhh .... those ......

It's a REFUND! Yeah, that's the ticket.

They overcharged me for gas the past 45 years and are making installment reimbursement.

Yeah. They OWED it to me. heh.
You do get a check though don't you?
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  #10  
Old 01-11-2009, 05:40 PM
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They are good to have. I have a binder for all the cars.






IMHO, the feeling you get when you drive it is more important. You can tell if it has been abused by the way it drives, rides, etc.
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  #11  
Old 01-11-2009, 05:43 PM
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I have to amend my post...

I have bought cars with no records --the Corvair, the Nomad, and the GTO.
The Nomad had 65000 miles on it and was bought from a friend of mine. It appraised at $5000 more than I paid for it. The others were cheap (under 3 grand) and not daily drivers.

If I am looking for a project to work on I don't care.If I want reliability I want records from the dealer.
I bought my '96 Impala SS after it was gone over by a professional appraiser and PP inspector.

---------------------
For Bot:
...and regular oil changes!
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"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"

Current
Monika '74 450 SL
BrownHilda '79 280SL
FoxyCleopatra '99 Chevy Suburban
Scarlett 2014 Jeep Cherokee
Krystal 2004 Volvo S60
Gone
'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
Rudolf ‘86 300SDL
Bruno '81 300SD
Fritzi '84 BMW
'92 Subaru
'96 Impala SS
'71 Buick GS conv
'67 GTO conv
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'57 Nomad
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  #12  
Old 01-11-2009, 05:44 PM
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Take the attitude that "Buyer Beware" and you'll never loose.

Assume an "average" owner maintenance schedule...

I, however, will change all the fluids right away, including filters if they're required...

When I bought "Fausta" - she just happened to be at the mechanic's garage where she was being serviced since the lady got into town 5 years previous...

He showed me EVERYTHING he did on it and pointed out items that MIGHT need attention...

I asked about the tranny, filters and such...he had just done that bit of work about a year previous and he even had the shop's repair-order ticket still in the office...showed me the ROT and it even had the check #, that she paid the bill with, written on it...

Now, if I hadn't seen that, I would have gone for the tranny fluid change and related servicing...but no need...

I think what is more important...do you trust paper or do you trust your feelings and gut instints? Paper can be doctored to make crap look like gold...getting the work verified, or done, is better than gold...it's peace of mind.
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  #13  
Old 01-11-2009, 05:53 PM
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You do get a check though don't you?
Guilty!
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  #14  
Old 01-11-2009, 05:56 PM
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AS the car gets older the records matter less, but if you are buying a car touted as low mileage the records are essential to prove its mileage, therefore never pay a premium for low miles without records.

if its simply an old used car which you are planning to fix up anyway it matters much less.

It matters on a one or two year old car too.

Here's why.

I had a tenant who gave the appearance of being a car saavy enthusiast who bought a new Audi a few years ago, after about a year and a half he told me that it had unfortunately blown its engine. He was honked off that the dealer was not wanting to warrant it.

It turned out he had about 20K miles on it and had NEVER, repeat NEVER changed or checked the oil. It ran out.

(My opinoin of him dropped several degrees at that point).

Audi eventually gave him a pretty sweet deal to trade it in on a new one.
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  #15  
Old 01-11-2009, 10:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iwrock View Post
They are good to have. I have a binder for all the cars.





Same here. Verified unarguable proof of fastidious maintenance by or better than the book, from new, ALWAYS helps on resale, AND for reference when you own the cars themselves.


And this is a REPOST. I almost came to blows for Matt in Atlanta over this, a couple of years ago, and I still think he is wrong about this.

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