Advice

[Roadie]

Hi all, very nice forum btw. I'm looking to enter the world of MB for the first time by buying a 1998-1999 CLK 230 or a 320 as the insurance is oddly cheaper but as expected for that year the mileage can be reasonably high. Being a non mechanically minded person i've asked around for advice from friends etc and get mixed results some saying as long as you got FMBSH you should be fine for many many miles while others say only the new models under warranty are worth bothering with. Is there a do's and don'ts with regards to buying a merc?

I'm currently looking at a 1998, 230 with 78,000 miles on the clock with the last service at 75,000 miles.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[BlackC55]

A good history is a must.

Get a competant mechanic/specialist to look over it for you.

 

[Roadie]

The nearest I could get to a competant mechanic would be to pay RAC £250 to look it over as I don't know any mechanics in the area.

 

[greybowman]

Is the car you are considering from a dealer or a private sale? Check the dealer stamps on the service history, you should be able to contact the relevant dealers to confirm that the service history agrees with their records.
Also, if you have the chassis number and an MPT test number from a previous MOT you can log into www.motinfo.gov.uk where you can see the test history - good for spotting any time off road etc.
Finally, on your choice of car - go for the 320 post late 1998 if you can, this will get you the lightweight V6 engine rather than the 4-cyl.
I assume you've searched the internet for your new car - you should be able to find lower mileage examples than the 78,000 miles.

 

[Roadie]

The cars i'm looking at are likely to be all private sales due to cost implications so gathering MOT number would probably depend on how nice the seller is.
Checking internet everyday on 230, and 320s.

 

[GRAV888]

78,000 miles is not even run in

 

[crockers]

Dealer stamped log books are ok...but I would want to see all invoices too

 

[BlackC55]

Ask on here to see if there are any specialists in your area.

 

[GRAV888]

Dealer stamped log books are ok...but I would want to see all invoices too

I can never find my invoices. Some end up in the bin as I leave them in the car and then bribe the kids to clean the inside out
All services are logged at MB though, so I don't see a problem with having no invoices to hand.

 

[Flyer]

78,000 miles is not even run in

Yep, mine's just hit 90k

 

[crockers]

I can never find my invoices. Some end up in the bin as I leave them in the car and then bribe the kids to clean the inside out
All services are logged at MB though, so I don't see a problem with having no invoices to hand.

Fair point -- all I know is that when I sold my wife's Honda - I went to the dealer and got copies -- makes a nice presentation of a file full of invoices with MOTs etc...helps install some confidence.....

 

[greybowman]

gathering MOT number would probably depend on how nice the seller is.

If they are not willing to show you at least one MOT cert - walk away.

 

[Roadie]

Went to look at the motor this evening and took it for a spin... ooh ooh very nice first Merc i've ever driven.
He had 3 old MOT and a fully stamped book although he did admit that the latest stamp was from his mate who works for the local Merc garage and used the stamp.
No stamp in 2006 the year he bought the car just the recent one in 2007.
No receipts at all inc the last service as it was a cash in hand job but says he had all new pads and disks done by his mate and the service was £550 does that seem right even with a mate doing the work.
Walk away or spend money getting it looked at?
Got another one to ring up about, again a 230 with 20k less miles and a 99 plate but a little more expensive.

 

[greybowman]

....although he did admit that the latest stamp was from his mate who works for the local Merc garage and used the stamp.

...says he had all new pads and disks done by his mate and the service was £550 does that seem right even with a mate doing the work.

...Got another one to ring up about, again a 230 with 20k less miles and a 99 plate but a little more expensive.

Having a stamp in the service booklet is one thing, but this service would not show on MB's computer system - plus the fact that use of a dealer stamp like this is fraudulent.

Service plus pads and disks at £550 is very cheap - similar service on my ML was just under £1000.

Finally, don't buy a 230 until you have at least driven a 320.

 

[Roadie]

use of a dealer stamp like this is fraudulent.

Service plus pads and disks at £550 is very cheap - similar service on my ML was just under £1000.

Finally, don't buy a 230 until you have at least driven a 320.

Yea thats what I thought and if he would do that then what else isn't he telling me... think i'll walk from this one, real shame cos it had a lovely set of 17" on it

Hopefully going to look at a 320 this week, similar cost and mileage... and cheaper insurance which makes no sense. The only thing i'm worried about on a 320 is fuel costs compared to the 230

I was like a boy with a new toy while driving it last night so can't wait to see what the 320 is like

 

[Roadie]

Is there a free way of checking a registration plate?

I've found a lovely motor but it seems too good to be true so wondered what info i could find out.

 

[tintin]

This site tells you what model it is (you have tp pay if you want anything more). I'm not sure if there is a way of finding anything further on other sites.

https://www.mycarcheck.com/