S Class, quarter of a million miles, £2k, stay away?

S Class, quarter of a million miles, £2k, stay away?

Author
Discussion

Ade07

Original Poster:

489 posts

168 months

Monday 5th March 2012
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Have been offered a 2002 S class, 320 Cdi with 250,000 on the clock for 2k. Disaster waiting to happen or worth taking a chance? So should I stay away or maybe take a risk at only 2k, if it only lasts a year then maybe break it and sell the parts?

Opinions sought!

dave_s13

13,816 posts

270 months

Monday 5th March 2012
quotequote all
What do similar age/spec cars for for that haven't been to the moon and back go for?

Are these model year mercs prone to rust?

My mate had this shape s320 cdi and it was bloody lovely.

Do it. Take pictures.

wackojacko

8,581 posts

191 months

Monday 5th March 2012
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Meh should be fine if you get it under 2 bags. Atleast it's sounds genuine, half the diesel s class's for sale have web clocked.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

199 months

Monday 5th March 2012
quotequote all
Well I'm a fan of the S class
Clearly it's not clocked and has done over 25k on average per year sounds like it's been well used.

You might want to change all the bushes and track rod ends to sharpe things up a bit plus all four wheel bearings.
Or of course don't do anything but routine servicing.

If it drives fine has all the history and a decent ticket length he'll why not.
Is it auto of manual? If auto I'd want to change the auto box oil probably never been done so lots of tiny bits of metal wear in the sump. Well worth s change.
Manual when was the pressure plate and clutch and flywheel last changed?

Suspension will be worn likewise the springs you might not be concerned about that but it will transform the ride.

Ade07

Original Poster:

489 posts

168 months

Monday 5th March 2012
quotequote all
Unfortunately no negotiation on price, got to be 2k and no offers below that figure. Car is not showing any signs of rust at the mo. Have researched prices and it's definitely the right money, have seen same year cars with 100 - 120k for 4500 - 5k ish.

Ade07

Original Poster:

489 posts

168 months

Monday 5th March 2012
quotequote all
Welshbeef said:
Well I'm a fan of the S class
Clearly it's not clocked and has done over 25k on average per year sounds like it's been well used.

You might want to change all the bushes and track rod ends to sharpe things up a bit plus all four wheel bearings.
Or of course don't do anything but routine servicing.

If it drives fine has all the history and a decent ticket length he'll why not.
Is it auto of manual? If auto I'd want to change the auto box oil probably never been done so lots of tiny bits of metal wear in the sump. Well worth s change.
Manual when was the pressure plate and clutch and flywheel last changed?

Suspension will be worn likewise the springs you might not be concerned about that but it will transform the ride.
It's an auto with 11 month's ticket and one month road tax left.

kodos

242 posts

152 months

Monday 5th March 2012
quotequote all
Go for it, even if it broke you could break it like you said.

To keep it going for that much mileage it's got to have been looked after. As long as it runs fine take a chance you could be pleasantly surprised!

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

199 months

Monday 5th March 2012
quotequote all
Ade07 said:
It's an auto with 11 month's ticket and one month road tax left.
Given you want S class do it and enjoy. Most cars lose that much easily in six months
It could break injectors or something else but given te milage it's been frequently used etc.

Why is he selling? Frankly if he owns it and it runs well why sell just run it into the ground.

benzito

1,060 posts

160 months

Monday 5th March 2012
quotequote all
I can't believe a 2002 (one of the bad yrs for merc engineering) merc car made it to 250k miles. Hence go for it as if it hasn't fallen apart by now then it probably never will!

Pentoman

4,814 posts

264 months

Monday 5th March 2012
quotequote all
benzito said:
I can't believe a 2002 (one of the bad yrs for merc engineering) merc car made it to 250k miles. Hence go for it as if it hasn't fallen apart by now then it probably never will!
Ha. No I think the mechanicals are usually good (as with most modern cars) for the miles.

OP a long time ago I drove a petrol 320 of this shape with 230k and the drive was great. You could only really tell from the interior - some of the interior was cracked and worn (these being from the Chrysler era when they price cut everything due to underestimating the liabilities of Chrysler). I would imagine the usual concerns around modern high-tech diesels also apply I.e. injectors and turbos. Both could practically reach 50% of your purchase cost. Hower in your shoes, if the car isn't blatantly dodgy then I would buy. And post pics/write up.

Ade07

Original Poster:

489 posts

168 months

Monday 5th March 2012
quotequote all
benzito said:
I can't believe a 2002 (one of the bad yrs for merc engineering) merc car made it to 250k miles. Hence go for it as if it hasn't fallen apart by now then it probably never will!
I have seen the same year and model cars reach 300 - 350k, if well looked after they will do lots of miles.

12gauge

1,274 posts

175 months

Monday 5th March 2012
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I saw one of these on the autotrader a couple of months back but with 70k up at £2,500. It was LHD though, so i didnt bite.

12gauge

1,274 posts

175 months

Monday 5th March 2012
quotequote all
benzito said:
I can't believe a 2002 (one of the bad yrs for merc engineering) merc car made it to 250k miles. Hence go for it as if it hasn't fallen apart by now then it probably never will!
I think the Merc diseasals are more reliable than the petrols of that vintage. Admittedly everything else is as 'variable'

Wacky Racer

38,237 posts

248 months

Monday 5th March 2012
quotequote all
Go for it.

If it only lasts a year and you scrap it, it will have cost you £40pw plus fuel, insurance etc.

Bear in mind though, if the gearbox etc packed up it could cost mega bucks though.

Are you feeling lucky???

fozzymandeus

1,046 posts

147 months

Monday 5th March 2012
quotequote all
There's nothing to suggest a merc of that vintage is less reliable, mechanically than other era mercs, they are just more cheaply put together and are more likely to develop trim rattles and rust.

If it's had lots of service history, go for it: it should at least last until MOT time - although it'll need bits and bobs done to the engine I imagine - expect usual diesel things like hoses and gas flow sensors of various sorts.

If it was a petrol engined one I'd be even more confident - tried and tested engines and the old 5 speed gearbox at that age.

Defcon5

6,193 posts

192 months

Monday 5th March 2012
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It doesnt have the airmatic suspension does it. Bet that is a fortune to fix if it goes wrong

Ade07

Original Poster:

489 posts

168 months

Monday 5th March 2012
quotequote all
Wacky Racer said:
Go for it.

If it only lasts a year and you scrap it, it will have cost you £40pw plus fuel, insurance etc.

Bear in mind though, if the gearbox etc packed up it could cost mega bucks though.

Are you feeling lucky???
Good advice. £40 pw?, good point of view, I hadn't looked at it like that!

Feeling very lucky as have received 2 great bits of news today already and it's only Monday.

fozzymandeus

1,046 posts

147 months

Monday 5th March 2012
quotequote all
Defcon5 said:
It doesnt have the airmatic suspension does it. Bet that is a fortune to fix if it goes wrong
This, too. I forgot about airmatic. In fact any adjustable suspension is a no-no - ABC on SL and CL classes too.

Hark

592 posts

181 months

Monday 5th March 2012
quotequote all
Bloody hell you lot are more optimistic than me. Not a chance I'd be spending £2k on something that's done 250k miles. Fair play I guess...

fozzymandeus

1,046 posts

147 months

Monday 5th March 2012
quotequote all
Hark said:
Bloody hell you lot are more optimistic than me. Not a chance I'd be spending £2k on something that's done 250k miles. Fair play I guess...
I know mercedes drivers with W140s with more than 400k.