Buying a used W211

[mugstud]

Found a 2006 (facelift) e220 CDI estate, take it for a test drive and drives beautifully, is really clean inside and out and MOT history looks really good. Has 135k miles on the clock and is £2,200.
After the test drive the seller tells me about an issue they sometimes have with the key and how he has to give it a wiggle for it to register in the ignition before starting and occasionally it has cut out after starting. He also has a second key that locks/unlocks the car but when in the ignition isn't recognised and cannot start the car.
He said he has a replacement EIS which he shows me and tells me that he is happy to swap it over before the sale so I don't have the same issues. I question whether it's as simple as just swapping the unit as surely the keys are mapped to that, but he says no it's all done by the ECU. Also inflate tyres warning keeps popping up and he said he's tried to reset it but it doesn't clear.
I left it with him and said if he swaps the EIS and all works ok then I'll take it, but posting here as after advice if this is one to walk away from or not?

 

[DanE350cdi]

I would say let him try and fix the issues and if so go for it. I had a w211 and loved it. Great buses.

 

[mugstud]

Thanks, he's just come back to say that his mechanic looked at it and there was a loose connection and now the one key is working fine. Would still need to get the other programmed but that's not a big deal.

 

[W1ghty]

Thanks, he's just come back to say that his mechanic looked at it and there was a loose connection and now the one key is working fine. Would still need to get the other programmed but that's not a big deal.

Ideally the car will have had the gearbox oil/filter changed at the MB schedule of 37500k , it would also be nice to see another gearbox service after that .
Otherwise budget £250-300 for a box service when you buy it

 

[DSM10000]

Thanks, he's just come back to say that his mechanic looked at it and there was a loose connection and now the one key is working fine. Would still need to get the other programmed but that's not a big deal.

Usually the keys come programmed from Germany.

Unsure if they can be "reprogrammed"

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Usually the keys come programmed from Germany.

Unsure if they can be "reprogrammed"

Key specialists can make new ones. Not cheap but cheaper than main dealer

 

[Smiley]

Thanks, he's just come back to say that his mechanic looked at it and there was a loose connection and now the one key is working fine. Would still need to get the other programmed but that's not a big deal.

The cynic in me would say that the seller has found out that it is not a £50 fix and has decided to tell you this....after you buy the car it will become your problem as a private purchase. If the car is all good otherwise then buy it if you can get it for a price that gives you a few hundred £ in your pocket to sort niggles out - there are bound to be some on a 17 yr old car. It's a buyer's market for these cars atm so negotiate hard, you may get yourself a bargain.

 

[DSM10000]

Key specialists can make new ones. Not cheap but cheaper than main dealer

Indeed.
Not sure existing keys can be reprogrammed though?

 

[mugstud]

Thanks guys, the EIS is definitely better (I can only take his word for it that there was something loose), when I took it for a test drive the a couple of days ago, it wouldn't register the key at all until I gave it a wiggle. When I checked it yesterday before buying it was straight in and registered immediately and I tested it a few times to be sure.

I've sent a few emails out to auto locksmiths this morning to get a quote for a new key so that I've a spare. Here's a picture of my first Mercedes

.

 

[mugstud]

Got a new key fob, which I am using as my main key and the other will be kept as a spare as it's looking a bit tatty.
This forum has been super helpful, as when it was raining the other day I tried using the rear wiper and the light flashed on the dash but no movement from the wiper. A quick search on here and found a thread about spraying with lubricant and working it loose, so did exactly that and hey presto now my rear wiper is working like a charm.