C32 AMG estate: yes or no?

[ronniewolff]

Hello -- this is my first (hopefully of many) post. I'm seeking the thoughts of those with knowledge deeper than mine -- I've had VWs, BMWs, Mazdas and Saabs and am now drawn (and how) to a C32 estate for sale close to my house in Glasgow.

I'm swithering though. It's not mint. But it's £4700 ...

This is the ad:
MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS Estate for sale in Glasgow | Auto Trader

Cosmetically, it's missing the bonnet badge (replaced by a flat AMG badge) and side "V6 Kompressor" front wing badges. The n/s wing mirror has been in a fight and needs secured but it's not scuffed. The rear arches have a tiny amount of bubbling (nowt compared to my Saab Viggen). And the central locking doesn't work on the driver's door. The last is the greatest worry. I hate dodgy electrics. They give me the willies and nightmares of colossal bills with negligible positives.

Everything else looks decent -- bodywork, interior, tyres etc.

When I inserted the key a repetitive click came from behind the glove compartment, which the dealer said was the heater matrix starting up. Is this credible? The engine sounded good and the AC and stereo worked. Other than these observations, I haven't much more to say. I wasn't in the car for long and spent ages poring over the service book and V5.

I should add that I haven't driven the car. I merely had a good sniff around it while my sister completed a deal on another of the dealer's cars. The service book stamps look legit up to at least 97k (MB dealer) but there's no other significant history. The dealer has paperwork to support the spark plugs being changed in Nov. The car has had eight owners, which is in itself a worry. The MOT is up in April, I think, possibly sooner ...

The C32 ticks all the boxes for me -- relatively cheap to buy and sporadically expensive to run, practical, subtle and faster than Usain Bolt. Also, so inconspicuous as not to warrant unnecessary attention while parked on the street. And I've always wanted a MB.

Over to you, AMG people: what should I look out for? Is there a good independent MB man in Glasgow who might inspect the car for a small sum? More importantly, is there any point in looking at the car in the first place? Does it look kosher?

My pal, who's a mechanic, reckons it's trouble. But he's been known to be wrong.

Thanks in advance from an honest car nut!

 

[merc85]

Sounds a headache, and i dont like the panel gaps on that bonnet nor the rust. i think there's better ones out there.

There's always a fault you dont see until after youve bought the car, and you have already spotted a few pre purchase

 

[ronniewolff]

You mean the gaps above the headlamps?
As for faults, from what I've researched the faults on a car as demanding as a C32 can be eyewatering. I can change a stalk on an old Saab for £3 but knacked central locking on a 13yo AMG? I'm guessing hundreds.

 

[C36fan]

Sounds a headache, and i dont like the panel gaps on that bonnet nor the rust. i think there's better ones out there. There's always a fault you dont see until after youve bought the car, and you have already spotted a few pre purchase

I echo Gav !

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[ronniewolff]

As for the rust, it seems to be a common issue. Am I right in thinking MB will only fix free of charge if you have full dealer history?

 

[HB]

Hi Ronnie and welcome.
My friend has a mint black C32 saloon which may be for sale shortly also in Glasgow. Keep posting here if you are interested and I'll have a wee chat with him.

 

[Neil Mackay]

Clicking behind the dash is likely to be a broken stepper arm on a heating flap, no V6 Kompressor badges I would suggest means the wings have been treated for rust or replaced at sometime! As for expense, yep very! This year mines gone through an intercooler (circa £1500) just about to have a charge cooler pump replaced, ac display decided to pixilate (ebay is your friend for bits like this). Regardless of the initial cost set aside about £3k a year as a car fund for running it (and I only work 4 miles from home!)

 

[Pitts Pilot]

AMG models have a higher servicing cost and are generally more expensive to run.

The example you have raised could turn out to be a money pit, so I would definitely get a Pre Purchase Inspection, preferably by a local Independent Mercedes Specialist before proceeding, or putting down a deposit.

I realise its another hoop to jump through, but the £300 you spend on the PPI could save you from buying a car that needs £1,000's spent on it in the next 6 months. Money you will never recoup.

"If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is" comes to mind.


Having thoroughly soaked your idea with cold water (!), I would still be inclined to move forward cautiously, starting with an 'Indie' PPI.

If the dealer resists this idea, then walk away, he knows something you don't!

I'm in London so I don't know of a good Indie in the Glasgow area, but I'm sure others will.

Cheers

Robert.

 

[H20 MRV]

Sounds like trouble to me, I would only buy it if I wanted a project car that was cheap, and bear in mind that's exactly the time when the mercs were rusting.

 

[ronniewolff]

Hi Ronnie and welcome.
My friend has a mint black C32 saloon which may be for sale shortly also in Glasgow. Keep posting here if you are interested and I'll have a wee chat with him.

I'd be grateful if you can keep me in the loop. A solid example is more important than estate v saloon. Many thanks.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I bought a C32 that needed a few bits sorting and ended up spending circa £5,000 on it...

Sad thing was that I actually really liked the car, really rapid and a great Q-Car, but the potential problems that these cars have are frightening.

Obvious cliche but buy one in the absolute best condition you can; a fixer-upper could ruin your wallet.

 

[Dave Barlow]

Is this engine a chain breaker at high miles, or is the AMG version strengthened?

 

[jmb1966]

I'd say something unpleasant has happened at the front judging by fitment round the headlights? Combined with missing wing badges has it had a front end crash?

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[HarpreetSingh]

I mirror what most of these guys say, proceed with caution. A better one will come up which will save you some of the hassle soon I'm sure!

 

[Neiltodd]

Mine has cost very little annually except sorting the rust on the wheel arches.

 

[nb_racing]

IMO you're better off waiting and buying one private from a person who you take to when you meet them. Dealers throw away any paper work and they no nothing about the car's history. They generally only care about making £££, especially a generic dealer. Specialist dealers are much better.
A good private seller will have all that paperwork and be able to tell you more about the car.
But, when ever you buy any car, there'll always be something needing attention.

 

[french]

I echo Neil, mine has been very reliable & cheap.
I fitted a smaller pulley as the old one was rattling, it had a service in May when I bought it.

Admittedly it does need the alloys refurbed & the arches etc sorted but I knew this when I bought it, mechanically its spot on.
This car has grown on me, it is a nice all rounder, smooth ,fast & fun !

 

[brucemillar]

Not to concerned about the bonnet headlight gaps. If it's like the C55 they have twin catches the O/S often gets lazy and holds the bonnet up slightly. Worth a look.

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[John]

Just fixed this for you:

As for the rust, it seems to be a common issue. Am I right in thinking MB will never fix free of charge if you have full dealer history or not?

Correct!

 

[Spin_bowler]

I bought a C32 that needed a few bits sorting and ended up spending circa £5,000 on it...

Sad thing was that I actually really liked the car, really rapid and a great Q-Car, but the potential problems that these cars have are frightening.

Obvious cliche but buy one in the absolute best condition you can; a fixer-upper could ruin your wallet.

Yeah, and I bought it off him and spent another £3K in 11 months (not saying that was a problem, I went in with my eyes wide open) and could easily have kept going. These are not cheap cars to run if you want them to go well. Their ability to rust, almost in front of your eyes, could make a grown man weep.

On the plus side, they are intoxicatingly rapid and I never tired of surprising much more exotic machinery with it's acceleration.

On balance, I'm glad I owned it but am equally glad it's not sitting on the drive threatening to empty my bank account.