buying advice

[Tedswagon]

Hi all, I'm new here and looking for some direction.

I've agreed to purchase a 2005 petrol c class estate next weekend. I love the shape and keen to see how it fairs on the drive home from London to Edinburgh.

Is there a buyers beware section on this forum? Known problems which should always be checked before handing over hard earned?

I've had loads of different estate cars in past an know rear wipers can become seized. Is that an issue with MB C classes?

Any tips greatly appreciated.

 

[Tedswagon]

Oh, it's a V6 petrol.

 

[rifiki]

I have 2005 CLk V6 and love it. Go thru the service history, gear box oil change etc.
If it has timeing chains rattle walk away. Electro plate in gear box can give problems, around £500 repair bill.

 

[martyz]

I agree,nice looking cars but,keep £1500+ aside for a timing chain and cam sprockets
it will need changing,they go typically around the 100k miles mark,some earlier.I have
been offered a few at silly money,not in my opinion Mercedes finest.

 

[Tedswagon]

I have 2005 CLk V6 and love it. Go thru the service history, gear box oil change etc.
If it has timeing chains rattle walk away. Electro plate in gear box can give problems, around £500 repair bill.

Thanks for that, Rattle us easy enough to listen for, but how can I check for electro plate?

 

[Tedswagon]

I agree,nice looking cars but,keep £1500+ aside for a timing chain and cam sprockets
it will need changing,they go typically around the 100k miles mark,some earlier.I have
been offered a few at silly money,not in my opinion Mercedes finest.

Thanks for your response, this one is low mileage (80k) on a 2005 reg. Still reckon it's necessary??

 

[Codger49]

I thought timing chain issues were for the 4 cyl M271 engines. A 2005 V6 petrol is likely to be a M272 engine.

In which case you must read this thread:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/137229-complete-m272-engine-thread.html

Our US cousins now have some financial support for remedial action (not for long though), whereas we don't. It's likely to cost around £2500 to replace balance shafts, timing chain etc etc as the engine has to come out, and you need someone who knows what they are doing.

The 7g gearbox TCU issue is also quite common, mine cost (the dealer) around £700 to fix.

 

[Codger49]

Sorry, forgot to mention gearbox TCU symtoms. Usually manifests itself by a refusal to change up. It can be sidestepped simply by switching ignition off and then restarting. This kept my CLK going for a couple of years before I bought it.

However, the faults are stored and can be read, therefore I recommend you insist that your car is put on STAR, preferably at an independent MB technicians, and you are given the full DAS diagnostic printout before you accept the car.

 

[Tedswagon]

Wow, making my nervous now!

The seller had an independent inspection carried out before he bought it 2 years ago, I'll request his report first I think.

Thanks

 

[Tedswagon]

Had a look at the v5 and can see the engine number starts 272. It's a C350 so guess that ties up.

 

[rifiki]

At 55000 miles the electro plate was changed by indie, £560. Some times the box would change gear and other times it would stick in 2nd gear? about 15mph per 1000rpm. No dash lights, indie used star to find out the problem.

 

[rifiki]

Oh, I Agree with codger49