From a W212 E63 to an S204 C150K

[AMGeed]

Struck lucky with the second car I viewed in 48hrs. After the debacle that was the car in Leeds, I found a really nice example closer to home in Swindon.

Only got one photo taken from the dealers website before he removed the advert. And it seems the photo cannot be displayed here due to security added by dealership.

Drove really nicely on the 15 minute trip back from the rail station to the premises. Not quite as underwhelming as I expected Possibly the nicest dealership I've ever seen. House valued a £1.5m. The owner took 2 calls enquiring about the car whilst I was doing the paperwork. Didn't get much knocked off the asking price due to the fact I know someone else would have bought it that day. He had 2 other bookings to view the car.
It's not particularly high spec, half leather, factory tints, Audio20 with CD. It seems I can't connect my Samsung Galaxy A5 to bluetooth in the car yet I deleted a Galaxy J model from the memory. Something to look into. Only fault raised is the light switch inside the car is stuck on Auto and the lights are on all the time. A new switch has been ordered and being posted to me when it arrives.

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Poured with rain on the way back so its filthy. Pics will be posted when I've had a chance to clean it. But very pleased. 33mpg on the way back something I haven't seen in 9 years of owning AMG's. Didn't want Obsidian black again, but I got one. The car was too nice to walk away from. Immaculate bodywork, freshly resprayed front bumper to repair the inevitable stone chips, Full main dealer history apart from two unknowns. Also had an oil/filter service last week and two ARB drop links fitted.

I'll visit my dealer this week and try and get printouts for the work carried out at all the main dealer services. It will nice to see if the ATF and brake fluid has been done at all.

 

[NewbieAMG]

Congrats on the purchase and looking forward to more photos which I ought to do myself too. Like it when dealership doesn't force a sale (at least that's what I've read from your post). When purchasing mine, I only found out about another party enquiring about the car after the deal was struck and numbers were agreed.

 

[AMGeed]

Congrats on the purchase and looking forward to more photos which I ought to do myself too. Like it when dealership doesn't force a sale (at least that's what I've read from your post). When purchasing mine, I only found out about another party enquiring about the car after the deal was struck and numbers were agreed.

After the let down and long trip Saturday I asked if there was any other interest before I booked a train ticket.
When told two others had appointments to view I asked if I would be first arriving at 11 30am. Luckily for me I was.
Normally I wouldn't bother to ask but I'd already sunk £160 into a wasted trip. Didn't want another.

 

[AMGeed]

A few photos between the rain showers.
Only a couple of interior, most know what a pre facelift poverty spec 204 looks like inside.
Came with AMG mats Can I badge it an AMG now?
Took it for a aircon re-gas this morning as it wasn't very cold air blowing. It's like ice now at 6c measured in the vent.
Needs some serious Autosol work on the tail pipe too.

 

[davymead]

Looking very nice. Health to enjoy.

 

[Finbar]

Very smart motor

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Looks smart

After the Leeds trip I’m glad you found a car you like at a dealer you trust!

 

[W1ghty]

Unplug the cam magnets on the front of the engine and check for oil before you do anything else !
You can buy a gearbox dipstick from eBay and check the ATF level yourself with the 5g box .
Nice looking car by the way .
Any history of a cam chain change at that mileage ?

 

[E55BOF]

Looks very good; obviously well looked-after. Poverty spec perhaps, but if it does the job you want it to do, it's a good car and a good buy.

 

[Skd884]

Congrats R and a superb upgrade over your departed m157 HAHA.

 

[AMGeed]

Congrats R and a superb upgrade over your departed m157 HAHA.

Cheers S.
When are you going to swap the M156 for a proper 63 with a turbo engine?
Then you'll see what a quick car really is

 

[AMGeed]

Unplug the cam magnets on the front of the engine and check for oil before you do anything else !
You can buy a gearbox dipstick from eBay and check the ATF level yourself with the 5g box .
Nice looking car by the way .
Any history of a cam chain change at that mileage ?

Thanks for tips Wighty.
Going to the dealers to get a print out of the servicing and see if I can find out if the cam chain has been replaced.
Because of this data protection nonsense, dealers won't pass on work and repair invoices with previous owner info so I can't even ask the guy who owned it before me.

 

[Chrishazle]

I had the same problem when I bought my S203 from it's first owner - had his name, address etc on the V5 and 1 service invoice that came with the car but they still did not want to send me the other service invoices. I persisted, and in the end they rpinted them, cut off the top with his contact details and mailed me the rest!

Conversely, when I bought the S204 from the supplying dealer (who had taken it in PX) the salesman printed off all the service invoices for me without questions!

 

[mercmancdi]

Very tidy enjoy

 

[AMGeed]

Just getting to familiarise myself with a 204 and wondering what function this switch does. Is it supposed to isolate the electrics when the battery is changed? Two thick + and - power cables go from the switch to the battery under the pollen filter.


The second question is, tried the heater today and it wasn't hot after a 3 mile drive and the temp gauge was only on 60c. My 211 & 212 were hot within a mile and at the same temperature. Does this point to a bad thermostat of something more sinister like blocked radiator core? It reached operating temperature of 85c on the way home for buying it.

Last question, if it does need a new thermostat, easy job or one for my indy £££ or £ ?

 

[E55BOF]

I'd say that switch is an aftermarket battery isolator switch. Could be an anti-theft measure, or could be the car had/has a battery drain problem with the electrics.

If the radiator core was partially blocked, it would run cool. Almost certainly a thermostat. Replacing it is a piece of piss;

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[AMGeed]

Cheers Dennis.
Like the CLS63 BTW. well done

 

[W1ghty]

Just getting to familiarise myself with a 204 and wondering what function this switch does. Is it supposed to isolate the electrics when the battery is changed? Two thick + and - power cables go from the switch to the battery under the pollen filter.
View attachment 131749

The second question is, tried the heater today and it wasn't hot after a 3 mile drive and the temp gauge was only on 60c. My 211 & 212 were hot within a mile and at the same temperature. Does this point to a bad thermostat of something more sinister like blocked radiator core? It reached operating temperature of 85c on the way home for buying it.

Last question, if it does need a new thermostat, easy job or one for my indy £££ or £ ?

My E320cdi has a brand new stat and the warm up time to what looks like 85-90 is over 10 mins .
Have you checked those cam magnet electrical connections for oil yet buddy it’s a serious issue .

 

[E55BOF]

Diesels generally warm up more slowly than petrols.

 

[AMGeed]

Have you checked those cam magnet electrical connections for oil yet buddy it’s a serious issue .

It's been too wet to check the cam magnets W1ghty. Also got to get the correct socket to undo those Torx bolts.
As soon as its dry for a couple of hours.