Big Merc V12 Horror Story-The ugly side of bargain barges
Discussion
Having just read a few thread on here about people buying big old Mercs and running them without major issues I decided to have a mooch for myself. So armed with a large glass of red I started to thumb the pages of e-bay classifieds when I came accross this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-MERCEDES-BENZ-CL600...
Whilst the buyer should take some blame for not being thorough, its also a stark reminder that not all bargain barges are bargains and all that glitters is a long way from being anything like gold.
P
Whilst the buyer should take some blame for not being thorough, its also a stark reminder that not all bargain barges are bargains and all that glitters is a long way from being anything like gold.
P
Indeed. Ive been hankering over a CL500 looking at prices now.
But from what i gather...
Air suspension systems always go
Some kind of Nikasil like problem on the V8s
Gearboxes none too reliable.
A top end car from Mercs 'bad period' run on a shoestring budget isnt going to end well.
Its a pity they didnt do a regular suspension one like the lesser S-classes and 3.2 litre ones like the SLs, for paupers like me.
But from what i gather...
Air suspension systems always go
Some kind of Nikasil like problem on the V8s
Gearboxes none too reliable.
A top end car from Mercs 'bad period' run on a shoestring budget isnt going to end well.
Its a pity they didnt do a regular suspension one like the lesser S-classes and 3.2 litre ones like the SLs, for paupers like me.
As per others, heart over head = almost every buying mistake in the book and potentially a big loss 
As always, if it's a complicated, expensive car, get it inspected by somebody who knows THAT make and model, a couple of hundred pounds on an inspection, would have saved this chap thousands
As always, if it's a complicated, expensive car, get it inspected by somebody who knows THAT make and model, a couple of hundred pounds on an inspection, would have saved this chap thousands
You never buy a complicated V12 without at least having a bit of a clue, nevermind a merc of that age with a big complicated V12. If you don't have a clue then get a friend or mechanic who does to check it out.
Its also very important that with a car like this you check the previous mots online to check what problems have been mentioned and check what has been done or what needs doing about them.
You have to understand that alot of cars at this bracket are purchased when work is overdue and needs to be done and the new owners cannot afford to fix them properly never mind feed the petrol addiction they have.
You need someone level headed with you holding your money when you buy a car like this.
Its also very important that with a car like this you check the previous mots online to check what problems have been mentioned and check what has been done or what needs doing about them.
You have to understand that alot of cars at this bracket are purchased when work is overdue and needs to be done and the new owners cannot afford to fix them properly never mind feed the petrol addiction they have.
You need someone level headed with you holding your money when you buy a car like this.
Even though the seller offered him a full refund prior to him trailering it home? I'm not mechanically minded at all, but even from those photos of the underside I can see that 'something isn't quite right here...'. An expensive lesson and I don't see the previous seller at fault to be honest.
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