1994 E420 on Ebay
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1994-Mercedes-Benz-E420-BLACK-TAN-RARE-MINT_W0QQitemZ230024837545QQihZ013QQcategoryZ6335QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thoughts on this one? I have a few:

1. I'd never but never purchase from Fleabay without a thorough in-person inspection, same as I'd do for any used vehicle.

2. Private feedback is a major-league red flag. Anyone dealt with this seller before? Anyone know why feedback is negative?

3. Standard questions I'd ask seller - how many owners, service records available, any accidents, any paint and/or body work? Evap replaced or is it original?

4. Rust? Not "is there any rust" but "where are any rusty areas?" I would be very suspicious if it is claimed to be a rust-free car in Chicago.

Location of this one is not the best as I'd prefer a nice example from the west coast or southeast where I have less concern about rust.

I welcome anyone's thoughts on this one. Color combo is nice - I love the darker tan leather.

E420 on Ebay
 

I notice the front passenger headlight lens cracked and the seats are not in mint condition. I also notice that they post no photos of the trunk interior. Remember the seller claim that this vehicle is in mint condition but they do not post one photo of trunk interior out of 30 photos.

Over all the car look okay, but like you suggested earlier the vehicle need to be inspected in person. Check the VIN with Carfax. In addition, the seller is choosing to keep the sell private with a 96.3% feedback. That throws up red flags for me.:(

There is crud in the corners of the console (where the trans. selector is at).
A good detailer would've gotten that out of there.

I think your concern about Chicago is well taken. If you're going to go to the hassle of buying a car in a far away place there are better places than Chicago, unless of course the history shows it's from somewhere else. I would also avoid Ebay user ID private - it's like a sham on top of a sham.

<<I also notice that they post no photos of the trunk interior. >>

.. that's cuz Chicago Vinnie is in da trunk, believe me what I tell ya.. Bing-a-Bang.

Certainly a black '94 E420 with those miles on it and that color interior is tempting, but Mercedes even with myriads of problems do frespond VERY well to a good detailing...

The seller has had 8 negative feedbacks in the last year, though, and even while there is two sides to every story, it looks like he has now chosen a private sale so the bidders can't investigate the nature of those complaints, and buying a car should be able to be done with confidence.

I agree the car needs to be inspected, and the questions about rust, especially on a car offered in Chicago, repaint, and whether there are books and records with the car are VERY important, this car could have been through 5 owners and 10 dealer auctions for all you know, maybe a reposession or insurance salvage, it is offered without license plates, many questions need to be cleared up. In his disclaimer the seller blithely states that manuals and records are often missing, on his sales but still he is claiming the car is in mint condition and expects top dollar for it.

Too bad you can't get a MB Vehicle Master Inquiry or a CARFAX before deciding to bid or buy. I'd want the car inspected first, because it does come "as is with all faults" to the buyer and the private sale with some bad feedbacks is a matter of concern, so you should proceed with caution.

If you are interested (and the 420E is a GREAT car!) you could email your questions to the seller and see what happens. There is room for optimism too, but in this particular situation the exercise of utmost caution probably makes a lot of sense.

Each of your concerns are spot on, obviously you are a VERY informed Mercedes buyer and all your questions are the right ones, you need to have all issues addressed. It could still turn out to be a really nice car.

But the older the car is, the higher chance is it's been through multiple owners, 3rd and 4th tier ones less likely to be compulsive about service and maintenance, and less chance that books and records will be available for the car.