I found a 1996 C180 today and it is the best I have ever seen in any used car dealer's yard. However, the mileage is 215,000kms and have been adviced by many that its too high to consider because its going a lot higher after I buy it and the value will drop like a rock. Its an Esprit C class, almost showroom condition inside and outside, but the rear door inside panels covering the rear wheels have a 4mm band of raised paint along the curved edges like there has been an overspray due to maybe serious rear body-damage work. What do you think? Apart from this, I cannot see any other defects. I am tempted to buy it , but for the high mileage and this overspray. I have seen newer cars, even 1998 models and others of the same year or earlier with lower mileage and therefore blown up prices, but their condition is no where near this one. What should I do? Take it for a test drive? Take it for an independent assessment for which I have to pay at least A$200 plus the towtruck to and from charges and this depends on whether the yard is willing to let me do this. Thanks.

I'm not familiar with Australian market conditions, but the mileage alone wouldn't necessarily deter me. However, the possiblity of collision damage is a large red flag, and I wouldn't proceed further without getting a reliable answer to that question.

Most important is the inspection issue. Your laws may differ, but here in the US I've been offered the chance to take a car to a mechanic of my choice for inspection, and even had a dealer offer to get the car there himself; I assume that your reference to a tow truck relates to legal requirements you face. Having said that, my key point is that I would NEVER (screaming caps intended ) buy the car you're looking at without a professional inspection. Assume you pay $400 total for the process, then think of the ways that you could be hit for substantially more than that for repair of one problem only, and rate the odds. In fifteen seconds, I've thought of at least five ways you could spend over $1000. As has been oft repeated, "There's no more expensive car than a cheap Mercedes."

__________________
Craig Bethune

'97 SL500, 40th anniversary edition

'04 Olds Bravada (SWMBO's)
'06 Lexus ES330
'89 560SL (sold)


SL--Anything else is just a Mercedes.
(Kudos to whoever said it first)