W210 e220cdi advice

[mikejbry]

Hey there, just looking for a little advice regarding a 2002 W210 Mercedes E220cdi Elegance I have viewed.

Mechanically:
Its an 80k example with 6 stamps (3 Mercedes, 3 local) with 1 owner from new, owned by an older lady. It has 12 months MOT with an advisory for a front ball joint, both front discs worn and rusted brake pipes. So nothing too major. Engine sounds great (for a diesel), no untoward noises and it drove very smoothly. 4 good matching bridgestones with 5mm tread.

Interior:
Interior looks immaculate, passenger window doesn't fully close, but a cheap breakers motor should sort that. pristine black leather, cruise, heated seats etc.

Recent work includes in 2012 the ignition barrell being replaced at a cost of £900. On the back of this, I discussed with the owner about the key situation, in which they told me that the second key hasn't worked for a while, even prior to the barrell. Putting it into the ignition makes a noise, but doesn't allow the key to turn. A new key found on google can be made in Birmingham at a cost of £160 and coded to the car.

Exterior wise, it's not so great. Passenger side is the worst, rear arch has visible rust that has broken the paint in one corner, the front is less bad, but starting to appear from the outside in one corner, all 4 archs have the inside edge starting to wrinkle with rust appearing. One minor dent in rear door and a patch of silver paint came off the rear bumper during pressure washing it prior to my arrival. Also a scuff on the drivers rear corner.

Excuse the poor quality photo, its a zoom from the advertisement. but here is the worst of the rust, the rear arch.




Now, my question goes as follows, what would you say this is worth?
The second key in my opinion is a must, due to my findings that the keys failing isn't irregular and I'll need a spare.
The rust bothers me, how long is it likely to last before the car is a complete shed and ill need panels?

It's tempting to buy it and just run it until it falls apart on me. For anyone interested, i do 110 miles a day for work (70miles motorway, 40 mixed A and B road) and I need something economical and comfortable for the journey.

Before I went and discovered the whole situation with the rust and the second key, I had thought £1700 seemed a good offer, but now I'm not sure.

Any advice for or against this car would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

edit: it's also just had a new genuine MAF sensor fitted at cost of £184 on monday.

Edited by mikejbry on Saturday 7th February 16:41

Edited by mikejbry on Saturday 7th February 16:42

[mikejbry]

Thanks for the reply, I'm guessing once the rust takes hold these cars don't last too long?

[anonymous-user]

mikejbry said:

Thanks for the reply, I'm guessing once the rust takes hold these cars don't last too long?

You'll fix the rust and it will come back again. That era Merc is shocking really. Mechanicals are very good however.

[mikejbry]

Thanks for the replies, shame really, was lovely mechanically and inside!

[Sheepshanks]

Which brake pipes are rusty? If it's the ones over the rear axle then they take quite a bit of time to replace, so worth bearing in mind if you'll be paying someone to change them.

[mikejbry]

2 brake lines and a brake pipe I believe, could not tell you though if they were front or rear.

Thanks for the info, though I don't think I'm going to be bothering. He has the car up for £2k, so offering in the region of £1200 wouldn't get me anywhere.

[PlayersNo6]

Sounds like all four arches need doing before they get worse (I had to do both rears on mine). That work is going to cost a least 1k so I'd say the car is worth no more than 1k as is - only due to it being a low mileage diesel - which are seen as desirable in the market.

PS - They are lovely cars to drive