Is this as cloned? 190E. E871NOW

[MichaelMB]

The 1988 190E has, according to Mark Taylor, been For Sale on Auto trader for ages but the private vendor's replies to me are very suspicious. Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

He answered a few general questions but is "too busy" to answer some specifics, take a couple more photos, give his surname, confirm he has the V5 or, as yet, get an MOT on it, promised a week ago. The car has usually sailed through without advisories so should be easy.

I'm in Somerset a long way from him in Newport but happen to be able to get a lift there on Wednesday only. He knows that, won't confirm it's even booked for the MOT. Sounds like he has cloned an ad but he hasn't done the "deposit needed" scam so it's beyond me.

Mark Taylor of MTSV tells me he viewed this car some years ago and it was very good then. Anyone here know it? Is it likely to have a dodgy owner in Newport called James?

In the ad he doesn't mention it having Aircon but photos show it does. He explained that by saying it's faulty "needs a regas mate" but won't state the symptoms. Feeling nervous! I have even told him that his extremely slow and unhelpful replies make me feel this way and asked for improvement but it's no better

 

[neilrr]

The 1988 190E has, according to Mark Taylor, been For Sale on Auto trader for ages...

If it was a good car it would have sold already, even if the seller is a PITA to deal with. Forget about it.

 

[BIGDOG]

Is it a Japanese import?

 

[MichaelMB]

Is it a Japanese import?

Yes, which is what I want

 

[DSM10000]

The 1988 190E has, according to Mark Taylor, been For Sale on Auto trader for ages but the private vendor's replies to me are very suspicious. Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

He answered a few general questions but is "too busy" to answer some specifics, take a couple more photos, give his surname, confirm he has the V5 or, as yet, get an MOT on it, promised a week ago. The car has usually sailed through without advisories so should be easy.

I'm in Somerset a long way from him in Newport but happen to be able to get a lift there on Wednesday only. He knows that, won't confirm it's even booked for the MOT. Sounds like he has cloned an ad but he hasn't done the "deposit needed" scam so it's beyond me.

Mark Taylor of MTSV tells me he viewed this car some years ago and it was very good then. Anyone here know it? Is it likely to have a dodgy owner in Newport called James?

In the ad he doesn't mention it having Aircon but photos show it does. He explained that by saying it's faulty "needs a regas mate" but won't state the symptoms. Feeling nervous! I have even told him that his extremely slow and unhelpful replies make me feel this way and asked for improvement but it's no better

Walk away.

Seller advertised 12 month MOT with no advisories!

There are too many red flags here.

 

[ChipChop]

Looks far too cheap for a car in that condition imo. The engine bay looks immaculate for a car that was imported in Feb 2016.

If you have the sellers address maybe ask on here if there is anyone local who could view or even just drive by to see if the car is present. Does the car show up on Google maps/ streetview? Last change of V5 was August 2023.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Done 7 miles/km since last MOT? The MOT history is a quite amusing; the testers have never been able to agree whether it's miles or km showing.

 

[MichaelMB]

Looks far too cheap for a car in that condition imo. The engine bay looks immaculate for a car that was imported in Feb 2016.

If you have the sellers address maybe ask on here if there is anyone local who could view or even just drive by to see if the car is present. Does the car show up on Google maps/ streetview? Last change of V5 was August 2023.

He hasn't yet given a full address, but said it would be at CB89NE which is Almath Crucibles, a ceramics manufacturer on Brinkley Road, Burrough Green, Newmarket. He probably works there as noises on his phone related to that kind of business. Imagery just shows large sheds, Street View doesn't go into their yard

 

[KennyN]

Purchased for £900 in 2017 , had a bit of work done and sold in 2020 for £4750.

Mercedes 190E - pretty good for £900! - Page 1 - Readers' Cars - PistonHeads UK

K

 

[MichaelMB]

Purchased for £900 in 2017 , had a bit of work done and sold in 2020 for £4750.

Mercedes 190E - pretty good for £900! - Page 1 - Readers' Cars - PistonHeads UK

K

Wow, thanks, a very good read. I'm sure this is a great car still, but the current alleged seller is a PITA

 

[Londonscottish]

Wow, thanks, a very good read. I'm sure this is a great car still, but the current alleged seller is a PITA

He sounds like a pain. Personally I CBA dealing with people like that.

 

[chic0821]

Ask one of your friends to phone him with the same questions. See if what he tells them is the same as you

 

[ChipChop]

Purchased for £900 in 2017 , had a bit of work done and sold in 2020 for £4750.

Mercedes 190E - pretty good for £900! - Page 1 - Readers' Cars - PistonHeads UK

K

How on earth did you find that PH thread may i ask? A fine bit of detective work Sir!

 

[MichaelMB]

Sent seller a link to a same day MOT centre near him, he says it is booked in for Tuesday but doesn't answer any other questions. Progress of a sort perhaps!

 

[KennyN]

How on earth did you find that PH thread may i ask? A fine bit of detective work Sir!

Just Googled E871 NOW and up it popped.

Google is fantastic , keep telling the wife its not just for HCP it has other uses.

K

 

[MichaelMB]

He sounds like a pain. Personally I CBA dealing with people like that.

Just how I feel. Still, photos and description and price are all very attractive, but he seems so cagey, claiming to be too busy. Something tells me Tuesday will bring no MOT, we will see

 

[MichaelMB]

Sent seller a link to a same day MOT centre near him, he says it is booked in for Tuesday but doesn't answer any other questions. Progress of a sort perhaps!

And he now admits to having a V5 in his name. Why has he been so evasive for so long? Still don't know his surname

 

[Scott_F]

Ask him how long his vacuum cleaner has been broken.

 

[MichaelMB]

Ask him how long his vacuum cleaner has been broken.

I have to hope he is a pillock rather than a criminal. If a car like this purports to be, with the spec I want, I'd have walked long ago.

 

[V12cat]

Photographed next to the Wellbeing Warehouse Newmarket, in what appears to be a new development. As seen in the 2nd picture.