Costly to put right?

[Jukie]

2001/Y MERCEDES E320 CDI AVANTGARDE AUTO ESTATE 7 SEATER SPARES AND REPAIRS | eBay

If, as the ad suggests, the problem is either camshaft, tappets or lifters, is this still a good price?

Or could the problem be something more sinister?

Rare colour, to me anyway. I like it.

 

[trapperjohn]

I have that on my watch list David.

Too good to scrap (I think) Going to be a few bob on top of the purchase price to have it looked at. I'm between a rock and a hard place with it.

No picture of the engine bay so unsure if it has an SBC unit. If it has I shall sprint away at a rate of knots.

 

[Rory]

If he's going to scrap it if not sold then it seems bonkers not to auction it, rather than have it as a classified listing.

 

[markjay]

Diesel estates are generally much sought after, so it might be worth it to put this one right.

The issue is not just parts, but labour - if you are able to carry out the work yourself, I am sure that forum members can point you in the direction of a good source for reasonable-priced parts. But if we are talking garage money, including labour at the going hourly rate plus VAT on top... this may not be viable.

On the other hand, if you have the physical space, the skills, tools, and patience to break it up and sell it part by part on eBay, it might fetch much more than its as-seen sale price.

 

[Jukie]

Any estimate of garage cost? Three or four figures? I'm no mechanic!

 

[fuzzer]

I have that on my watch list David.

Too good to scrap (I think) Going to be a few bob on top of the purchase price to have it looked at. I'm between a rock and a hard place with it.

No picture of the engine bay so unsure if it has an SBC unit. If it has I shall sprint away at a rate of knots.

The w210 didnt have SBC

 

[SilverSaloon]

looks clean but you'd need to hear the engine to make a decision. is it really that cheap though?

 

[ringway]

I spent a lot of money on my S210 to bring it up to my standards and although there are many other things that can go wrong with these cars, if the engine can be sorted and the bodywork is generally rust-free, it represents fantastic value for money.

At that age there's always the chance of parts failing which can happen on any car, but things such as the alternator, hp fuel pump and turbo are expensive items on the 210.

The OM613 really is a superb engine. I miss driving the one I had.

 

[Jukie]

I spent a lot of money on my S210 to bring it up to my standards and although there are many other things that can go wrong with these cars, if the engine can be sorted and the bodywork is generally rust-free, it represents fantastic value for money.

At that age there's always the chance of parts failing which can happen on any car, but things such as the alternator, hp fuel pump and turbo are expensive items on the 210.

The OM613 really is a superb engine. I miss driving the one I had.

I regret not buying yours when I had the chance

 

[ringway]

I regret not buying yours when I had the chance

I regret selling it!

It was far too good to use as an everday car and I rarely got the chance to use it.
If it had collected a few dents here and there I would have been less worried about parking it in a supermarket car park etc, but I'd spent a lot on the car and wouldn't risk spoiling it.
It has gone to a good home (prominent MB Club member) and I know the present owner enjoys driving it (even though he had to cough up a tidy sum to sort the dreaded air-con problem).

It's the only car I've owned that I have used for pleasure driving. A super machine.

 

[Jukie]

"Dreaded air-con problem"...???

 

[ringway]

"Dreaded air-con problem"...???

It's HERE!


I'd had varying opinions as to the cause of the air-con not blowing ice cold. A corroded pipe or the evaporator.

After being quoted £350 for the part and IIRC £1800-2000 for the labour at MB Macclesfield I decided to keep the windows down instead.
I never got a definite diagnosis, but made an allowance towards the repair when selling the car, which in hindsight, wasn't enough.

After viewing the ebay listings for these cars earlier today I noticed one for sale that stated "Air-con doesn't blow cold, I've been told it just needs regassing". Maybe that is true, maybe it isn't?

I'd say the major rule when buying a used Mercedes-Benz is to check that everything works. They are fine cars, but damn expensive to fix for certain items.

I bought the car from a non-MB dealer in Chester, and the air-con fault was evident then. Getting it regassed was one of my 'things to do'. If I'd have known the seriousness of the problem I'd have been within my rights to get the selling garage to remedy the problem if I'd taken the car back within a reasonable time (I think one gets three months grace when buying from a garage/dealer).

 

[Rory]

I notice the car in the OP says "Approximately a month ago, the vehicle was fitted with a brand new air con compressor by Mercedes Benz main dealer and also re gassed."

That must have cost a small fortune and then when the engine started rattling I bet the owner was suicidal! And that assuming the work on the a/c actually fixed the a/c!!

 

[John]

2001/Y MERCEDES E320 CDI AVANTGARDE AUTO ESTATE 7 SEATER SPARES AND REPAIRS | eBay

If, as the ad suggests, the problem is either camshaft, tappets or lifters, is this still a good price?

Or could the problem be something more sinister?

Rare colour, to me anyway. I like it.

I love the colour (I would say that... but I really do) - I think it suits the W210 really well actually.

 

[Tazz666]

if it was me I would buy it and get the spanners out, as it would make economical sense in the long run, but I understand that not everyone is mechanically minded ,but as said before ther is plenty of advice on the forum,I am sure no one would mind lending a hand to get it up and running again

 

[renault12ts]

I love the colour (I would say that... but I really do) - I think it suits the W210 really well actually.

I love it too...but then I would too...same as my own.

 

[Jukie]

'Phoned the seller at 8pm. Left a message. No reply as yet.

 

[Jukie]

Have now spoken with seller. Sounds like a genuine chap. Off to see it on Thursday morning.