Hi folks, I'm looking for a C63 AMG W204 facelift estate please?

[Bu5terG]

Hi there. My first post, please be kind!

Been watching Auto Trader, Piston Heads etc for months, but if I'm honest, I wouldn't know how to spot a wrong un to save my life, so I was hoping you guys could help please?
I think my basic spec is:
- I'm not keen on white (sorry).
- A facelift car as young as possible so 2013 or 2014?
- Up to 70K miles feels the right ball-park?

And then the bits I don't know enough about
- Does it need a LSD? I don't really do track days, so does it really need one on the wet north-west tarmac? If so, why didn't MB put one on in the first place and are they all after-market additions? Would you pass on a tidy car if it didn't have one, or buy & have one added? How much would I need to budget to add one please?
- Are there any must-have spec items on the list?
- There are rarely more than a dozen cars on AT, of which 4 or 5 meet the basics above. Are they that rare now? Is it a case of taking what you can get these days or is it still worth waiting for the right one?
- Is it worth asking a MB specialist garage & if so, can you recommend any in the Manchester-Liverpool corridor +25 miles-ish please?
- Does anyone have a link or any info about the main things to look out for when buying one please?

Anything else you think I should know before parting with cash would be a huge help.

Many Thanks

 

[DesireeE]

Hi there. My first post, please be kind!

Been watching Auto Trader, Piston Heads etc for months, but if I'm honest, I wouldn't know how to spot a wrong un to save my life, so I was hoping you guys could help please?
I think my basic spec is:
- I'm not keen on white (sorry).
- A facelift car as young as possible so 2013 or 2014?
- Up to 70K miles feels the right ball-park?

And then the bits I don't know enough about
- Does it need a LSD? I don't really do track days, so does it really need one on the wet north-west tarmac? If so, why didn't MB put one on in the first place and are they all after-market additions? Would you pass on a tidy car if it didn't have one, or buy & have one added? How much would I need to budget to add one please?
- Are there any must-have spec items on the list?
- There are rarely more than a dozen cars on AT, of which 4 or 5 meet the basics above. Are they that rare now? Is it a case of taking what you can get these days or is it still worth waiting for the right one?
- Is it worth asking a MB specialist garage & if so, can you recommend any in the Manchester-Liverpool corridor +25 miles-ish please?
- Does anyone have a link or any info about the main things to look out for when buying one please?

Anything else you think I should know before parting with cash would be a huge help.

Many Thanks

Hello there Bu5terG and welcome to the forum, nice to see you here, and I have to admit I am very much a newbie myself but already learning new things.

This is actually the new members section where you get a chance to introduce yourself and you car(s) if you have any, that way folks get to know you a little better which may help out in the long run. Having said that, I don't know anything about the C63 AMG W204 facelift or otherwise, so I can't help you specifically on that one.

What I can say though is what I would do generically with looking for any new to me car for what it is worth so here goes:

* before the inspection/test drive do your home work. if on a car sales site like CarGurus, or Autotrader etc., you can get information on things like how long the car has been for sale, price increases and drops, estimated value and if it is deemed fair or not, the sellers reputation if at a dealer, warranties available etc., etc. Decide what is important to you and in making your search.

* check the MOT history on the gov.uk website. If there are any advisories see if the seller is prepared to get them all fixed so a clean bill of health and new 12 month MOT upon picking up the car should you decide to go with it. Here is the link to the government website MOT checker - just put in the registration of the cars you want to check.

Check the MOT history of a vehicle

Check the MOT history of a vehicle from 2005 onwards, including if it passed or failed, its mileage and why it failed, download MOT test certificate

www.gov.uk

* try all the buttons/knobs/switches/air vents to make sure everything works and that would include all windows/doors/sunroof - check for any rust there too and noise open and closed on the test drive.

* lift any/all footwell mats and check for damp or signs of mildew/mold

* if the car has timing/cam belts/chains check if/when they were changed - could be used as a negotiating tool

* check to boot for water ingress and lift the mat to see if any signs of damp underneath - even under the spare wheel if it has one.

* check the air conditioning - possibly another negotiating tool if not working or running warm etc.

* look for water ingress/condensation in the lights - a common occurrence but yet another negotiating tool or may need them changing?

Never but NEVER let your heart rule your head, check it over in a clinical fashion, as you can be sure, if emotions play a major role and you take a test drive the chances are you will have already bought the Merc. If you don't buy this one something better will always come along: says she who 'bought' Dolores (Bentley) over the phone, drove up to Marlow from Devon looked at her and handed over the money ... when you know, you know right

 

[Bu5terG]

Hello there Bu5terG and welcome to the forum, nice to see you here, and I have to admit I am very much a newbie myself but already learning new things.

This is actually the new members section where you get a chance to introduce yourself and you car(s) if you have any, that way folks get to know you a little better which may help out in the long run. Having said that, I don't know anything about the C63 AMG W204 facelift or otherwise, so I can't help you specifically on that one.

What I can say though is what I would do generically with looking for any new to me car for what it is worth so here goes:

* before the inspection/test drive do your home work. if on a car sales site like CarGurus, or Autotrader etc., you can get information on things like how long the car has been for sale, price increases and drops, estimated value and if it is deemed fair or not, the sellers reputation if at a dealer, warranties available etc., etc. Decide what is important to you and in making your search.

* check the MOT history on the gov.uk website. If there are any advisories see if the seller is prepared to get them all fixed so a clean bill of health and new 12 month MOT upon picking up the car should you decide to go with it. Here is the link to the government website MOT checker - just put in the registration of the cars you want to check.

Check the MOT history of a vehicle

Check the MOT history of a vehicle from 2005 onwards, including if it passed or failed, its mileage and why it failed, download MOT test certificate

www.gov.uk

* try all the buttons/knobs/switches/air vents to make sure everything works and that would include all windows/doors/sunroof - check for any rust there too and noise open and closed on the test drive.

* lift any/all footwell mats and check for damp or signs of mildew/mold

* if the car has timing/cam belts/chains check if/when they were changed - could be used as a negotiating tool

* check to boot for water ingress and lift the mat to see if any signs of damp underneath - even under the spare wheel if it has one.

* check the air conditioning - possibly another negotiating tool if not working or running warm etc.

* look for water ingress/condensation in the lights - a common occurrence but yet another negotiating tool or may need them changing?

Never but NEVER let your heart rule your head, check it over in a clinical fashion, as you can be sure, if emotions play a major role and you take a test drive the chances are you will have already bought the Merc. If you don't buy this one something better will always come along: says she who 'bought' Dolores (Bentley) over the phone, drove up to Marlow from Devon looked at her and handed over the money ... when you know, you know right

Thanks so very much for replying DesireeE, and all that good advice, it's very much appreciated. I realised what you mean about this section literally being just for introductions after I'd posted but there doesn't seem to be any way to take the post down, so I was hoping someone would reply just to point me where I should be asking for buying advice, especially as it's quite a specialist car. Given us newbies are not allowed to post in certain threads, like the wanted classifieds, advice on how to use this forum seems to be thin on the ground. I'd love to have pics of a gorgeous MB to share with folks, but I don't yet! Shall keep trying

 

[DSM10000]

Thanks so very much for replying DesireeE, and all that good advice, it's very much appreciated. I realised what you mean about this section literally being just for introductions after I'd posted but there doesn't seem to be any way to take the post down, so I was hoping someone would reply just to point me where I should be asking for buying advice, especially as it's quite a specialist car. Given us newbies are not allowed to post in certain threads, like the wanted classifieds, advice on how to use this forum seems to be thin on the ground. I'd love to have pics of a gorgeous MB to share with folks, but I don't yet! Shall keep trying

You may post im the "Wanted" section after 30 valid posts (no posting just to get your numbers up) and have been a member of the Forum for 30 days.

Your introduction will, I am sure bring you lots of info plus try the "Search" function and welcome

 

[Bu5terG]

You may post im the "Wanted" section after 30 valid posts (no posting just to get your numbers up) and have been a member of the Forum for 30 days.

Your introduction will, I am sure bring you lots of info plus try the "Search" function and welcome

Thank you again.

 

[DesireeE]

Thanks so very much for replying DesireeE, and all that good advice, it's very much appreciated. I realised what you mean about this section literally being just for introductions after I'd posted but there doesn't seem to be any way to take the post down, so I was hoping someone would reply just to point me where I should be asking for buying advice, especially as it's quite a specialist car. Given us newbies are not allowed to post in certain threads, like the wanted classifieds, advice on how to use this forum seems to be thin on the ground. I'd love to have pics of a gorgeous MB to share with folks, but I don't yet! Shall keep trying

You are most welcome, Buster.

It all takes a bit of getting used to learning the way a new forum works and trying to understand the personalities of its members too, but sticking at it soon makes things familiar. I wouldn't give up on asking for help, and I think your best bet is posting the same info above in a new thread in the section I have given you the link to below - General Discussion - best of luck

General Discussion

General Discussion relating to Mercedes or General motoring ONLY.

forums.mbclub.co.uk