Lovely w124 for sale, but not to me!

[isobars]

1990 MERCEDES-BENZ 230E AUTO - W124 - 79,000 MILES - VERY CLEAN - HISTORY | eBay

I'm sure you'll agree, a very handsome fellow.

I told the vendor I'd give him his asking price - he said Cash on collection - unable to get there for two weeks offered him the deposit of his choice, balance in cash.
Then he said he wouldn't sell to someone without meeting them. Despite my excellent feedback and offering Bank and Personal references, he won't sell. Oh, and instant payment with an offer to pay for two weeks storage and no warranty required, sold as seen.


Shame.

Nice car for someone - not me!

 

[E55BOF]

It may indeed be a nice car, but the fact that he is a Motors dealer, yet has no eBay feedback for any cars sold in the last year, seems a little odd. Perhaps he's just starting out; he has plenty more on eBay.

At that price I can understand why he wants to make it a trade sale, though. Even old Mercedes go wrong, and the cost of parts can be high.

If he stll has it in two weeks, it might be worth going to see?

 

[isobars]

Looking at the engine bay, bolster, steering wheel, wood, everything about it says, 'cared for', if that front wing is original, it might have hardly got wet or wintered.
I can't see it hanging around in that order. I've had and have several of these and don't need another one, but I'd have that. They're an easy car.

I'm sure something else will turn up. I'm looking for an SEC, so maybe it's for the best!

 

[Rob77]

... if that front wing is original, it might have hardly got wet or wintered ...

The front driver's side wing doesn't look the same shade to me, as though it has been replaced.

Not an issue at all but maybe casts some doubt on the mileage?

 

[BTB 500]

Both the front wings look like they've been resprayed or replaced, to me.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Same as me Bill.

 

[LowMilerAMG]

And the model badge on boot lid is too high!

 

[isobars]

Look at that steering wheel and the arrows on the indicator stalk.
You can't make an old engine bay look like that.
Anyway, it's gone. Someone else liked it!

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I'm certain you're not the type but...

I can see his point; it's an old car so condition will be highly subjective, if he held the car on a deposit for a fortnight then he'd be running the risk that you might be expecting concourse condition, disagreements ensue, he then gives you back deposit and he's lost a fortnight because of it.

I've got to be honest, I don't blame him whatsoever.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Both the front wings look like they've been resprayed or replaced, to me.

Because of the flare of the wheel arch, the shade of front wings can be deceptive unless seen in person; I've seen cars in photos look fine but are terrible in real life and then slightly rough looking paintwork in photos actually looks very good up close.

 

[isobars]

He could have had a full payment, there and then, or a deposit up to that amount on the basis that it was non-refundable.
Anyway, (or anyways for the under thirties), he just mailed me and explained a little further.

I can now see his reasoning, and it makes sense. It just didn't occur to me!

Hi Paul,

fair play to you .. but if you pay up front and then there is something you don't like about the car upon collection I'm sure you would still have something to say about it ! .. I would rather just avoid that possible scenario.

Thanks,

My reply

Hi,

It's a shame I didn't call you.

I've bought over twenty cars from Ebay over the years, and yes, in most cases there's something not quite what you expect, but, in my case at least, that's my problem. If I paid, I took the risk.
I've made a choice on the evidence presented and in your case it looked belter. I've a few of these cars - too many really - and have had several, I know the signs and know what to expect.
I've just bought one here in Portugal, I bought it in a hurry, and in the rain, I should have known better. I saw some problems I'd missed previously when I went to collect and pay, but I'd promised I'd buy it so now it's in my garage.
I hadn't thought through your experiences of other buyers and didn't quite grasp why you wouldn't sell without me seeing it. Now I do.
Thanks for clearing the water

Cheers,

Paul