C32 buying advice - a couple of 2004s ...

[AlanD]

Well finally, some 2004 models have come on the market, with wildly different prices!

This one, to be honest, makes me so angry with the crap quality of the add that I'm not sure I could be bothered even calling about it! Apparently it has a front armrest and rear seatbelts!! Terrible lack of detail in the description and rubbish pictures (all 2 of them). It's also a bit overpriced IMO:
2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS C32 4dr Auto Amg Saloon

This one on the other hand, is nearby so I'm going to go and have a look (just rang about it).
2004 MERCEDES-BENZ C32


26k vs. 60k miles between the two cars. 2nd, 60k one has the auto climate and Command panel by the look of the picture. Price is actually a bit lower than I expected from a dealer.

Would love any thoughts on them and things to look out for in terms of potentially buying from an indy dealer. Also, wrt Command - what are the options on the C32? Is it just a way of displaying CD/radio or does it always include Satnav and/or TV?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Take a look at this: http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/75507-c32-amg-buying-advice-please.html

Options: COMAND, COMAND with TV, parking sensors, sunroof, digital heater controls, and that's about it.

COMAND comes with satnave, inbuilt CD, CD-changer controller, radio, and with aux-in for MP3 as standard. TV tuner is extra. All have the TV button though, but without the tuner, it won't do much!!

 

[AlanD]

Thanks ... knew about the others, but unsure on the COMAND bit. I guess if it were new tech it might have USB/bluetooth input and some video decoders

Regardless of the function, I think the COMAND screen looks nicer than the tape loader anyway, so no harm there. The auto climate is also nicer looking than the standard one.

Not fussed about front sensors .. I think rear parktronic is standard anyway?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

No rear is an option too I'm afraid.

If you find the car, which doesn't have rear sensors, but you want them, then I have a much more attractive solution...

...buy an original AMG boot spoiler - it's just a lip spoiler, but it enables you to see the trailing edge of your boot, and so reverse with more confidence.

Looks nicer than 4 holes in the bumper too!!

 

[AlanD]

OK, just been to see this one:
It has COMAND with SatNav and front and rear Parktronic as extras. Incredibly clean inside and has almost new Contis on each corner. Front discs not lipped at all; rears slightly. A service done 500 miles ago and MOT will be done when sold to give a year. Tax due in May. FMBSH.

Now, with that in mind, MB didn't stamp the last service and didn't fill in the miles for the one prior to that, however he says he'll get them to do that so hopefully a non-issue. The engine didn't sound quite as smooth as another C32 I've seen and was quite dirty and cosmetically corroded under the hood. Seemed to drive quite well, but hard to tell on crowded roads.

There is one thing that bothers me a fair bit - some/most of the car appears to have been re-sprayed. I can find evidence of overspray onto seals on both sides and the odd poor spot of finish. The nearside rear door in particular was not blended towards the cabin, so when you open it the sudden line of paint is quite obvious. This was plainly a cheap paint job (something I know all too much about from bitter experience!).

He claims that it's not been in any accidents and is completely HPI clear. It's only one owner and was serviced up in MB Milton Keynes, so I'm going to ring them and ask them about its history on Monday.

What do you think? Run a mile? Worth sticking with? The price seems lower than it might otherwise be from a non-private sale.

Anyone else with experience with a C32 live near Richmond and fancy having a look? Anyone with a C32 that's well looked after near Ruislip fancy meeting up and showing me what a good one should be like!?

 

[tpwuk]

Bad paint job could have been a scratch repair executed poorly. Either way, I would walk.

 

[BenzedUP]

I like the first C32 with 26k on the clock, looks really in good condition and it's the type of car that you probably won't need to spend on.

If you could get the price down then it's the one I'd go for as it's likely to be less hassle than a cheap one with bad bits here and there etc...

Good luck, great cars the C32's

 

[AlanD]

I like the first C32 with 26k on the clock, looks really in good condition and it's the type of car that you probably won't need to spend on.

If you could get the price down then it's the one I'd go for as it's likely to be less hassle than a cheap one with bad bits here and there etc...

Good luck, great cars the C32's

Yeah, I might give him a ring and find out which 164 mile away end of the country he lives in! Still annoys me that someone could be so frickin lazy with an advert as that!!

 

[BenzedUP]

Yeah, I might give him a ring and find out which 164 mile away end of the country he lives in! Still annoys me that someone could be so frickin lazy with an advert as that!!

Yes, worth a ring...

I agree advert looks very lazy, pictures are very bad, no interior pictures etc...

 

[trainer]

If that is a genuine 26k car then it is probably very rare in terms of mileage. Comand would not cost a lot to fit and you could have an excellent low mileage car