I normally don't say what I paid for things, but... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TylerH860 · #1 06-09-2012, 05:30 PM

I had to boast with this one, especially since I'll be hanging onto it for a while.

A dealer auction I rarely attend due to its shady-ness (they're all shady but this one is really bad), had a 2002 E430 sport. Someone took it to one of those cash for titles places and got in trouble. Then we had a hail storm; and I'm sure the title business milked their insurance company for all its worth despite the minimal damage. Damage was not bad enough to brand the title Turned out to be the perfect storm for me.

Other than the slight hail, it had alot of dings and scratches. 2 small rust bubbles on on 2 quarters. The interior was nasty nasty nasty. Car had been sitting for a long time before coming to the auction. The valve covers had leaked alot onto the exhaust manifolds causing smoke to billow up from under the hood. The fan clutch was loose and making an alarming knocking noise. Tires were worn to drag slicks

As bad as it all sounded, it scared everyone away from it. I was able to drive the car (130k) and it felt perfect. No check lights, if you could drive with your eyes closed you couldn't tell the difference from a perfect one.

With the knocking noise, only the junkers were willing to touch it. I was expecting to go much higher, but came out on top at $1700.

Put 100 trouble free miles on it before getting the interior detailed and dropping it off at the mechanic, who confirmed everything looks solid. The detail brought the inside back to life, and looks great.

I'm going to have the whole car painted just because there's too many little things to make individual spot repair. I'm thinking rather than the stock silver, going with the SL500 Silver arrow special edition silver. Has more metallic and some pearl, but not different enough to where anyone can tell the difference when you open the hood, door jambs, etc.

Here's a before photo:

Jorn · #2 06-09-2012, 06:10 PM

Good job!

Aquaticedge · #3 06-09-2012, 06:36 PM

Nice Catch!

davidlee · #4 06-10-2012, 02:55 AM

That was a good find, nice millage too, Im an Oregon Dealer, sucks about the rust, we dont see much of that out west here, and I know exactly what you're talking about, about scaring everyone away NoBody wants a V8 Mercedes with what sounds like major problems, and looks abused hard, I find that the Higher HP models usually are the ones that have been drove harder.

Hey, a little off topic, but, How are you and Miguel coming on the Land Cruiser that is going to be doing the Pan Am run?

Jim B. · #5 06-10-2012, 06:13 AM

Back in 1996 I got a ride in a new w210 when the San Francisco Mercedes Benz dealer service department had my SEC in for some work; I lived worked and was married there in SF back then...

It was to me a beautiful spaceship, that new car. And so spacious and fresh looking inside. Once you get it sorted, it may be a wonderful ride for you today.

Glad you parsed out correctly all that was wrong and nabbed it so cheap. And things came out well.

But..

Anyone desparate enough to take out a car title loan must be at the very end of their financial tether, and out of money o live on, practically, and in that case, would have NO money lerft over in heir budget to properly take care of a Mercedes Benz like this.

And worse, to let it get repossessed. As you know the repo cars are in the worst condition, generally.

You might wish to swap the license plate at the DMV for a new one; it's been known to happen that when people see the car they used to have on the street, taken away from them, like this, they occasionally get mad enough to shoot at it with a gun.

JB3 · #6 06-10-2012, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Back in 1996 I got a ride in a new w210 when the San Francisco Mercedes Benz dealer service department had my SEC in for some work; I lived worked and was married there in SF back then...

It was to me a beautiful spaceship, that new car. And so spacious and fresh looking inside. Once you get it sorted, it may be a wonderful ride for you today.

Glad you parsed out correctly all that was wrong and nabbed it so cheap. And things came out well.

But..

Anyone desparate enough to take out a car title loan must be at the very end of their financial tether, and out of money o live on, practically, and in that case, would have NO money lerft over in heir budget to properly take care of a Mercedes Benz like this.

And worse, to let it get repossessed. As you know the repo cars are in the worst condition, generally.

You might wish to swap the license plate at the DMV for a new one; it's been known to happen that when people see the car they used to have on the street, taken away from them, like this, they occasionally get mad enough to shoot at it with a gun.

I don't know, my impression was that those payday/title loan places are crazy common in the midwest. When I lived in southern missouri for 2 years, the first thing that struck me was the amount of those places in town, seemed like every other block there was another one. Id never even seen one in new england.
The owner might have been less at their end of a financial tether than you or I would guess

panZZer · #7 06-11-2012, 12:32 PM

I just gor a 1998 gmc g3500 cab and chassis cut away van without the high cube box for $2000 with dead motor. It has the last yr of the original/vortec chevy 350. Im gonna take the advise from the op and instead of going duramax-- get a--around 2005 5.3 ls motor and harness/computer for it.

Air&Road · #8 06-11-2012, 12:38 PM

Good show Tyler! You're obviously getting the hang of the auction thing, so you worked yourself into position to be in the right place at the right time.

Tell you what.... I'll give you $1,725 for it!

I never want to see anyone go without a profit!

Seriously though, I hope you do well on it.