Must be mad but buying another MB :-)

[maestegman]

Hi Everybody

Just thought I'd introduce myself and pick your collective brains at the same time. I owned a Nissan 350Z for a number of years and found their UK owners' site incredibly useful. I have no doubt that this site will be equally informative.

I'm picking up my new car from a dealer in Blackburn next Wednesday - which involves a long train ride from Cardiff and a short tram(?) ride to Bury to be collected by the dealer.

Now, I'm no MB virgin. Having owned a 51 / C220 CDI Coupe five years ago, I swore that I'd never buy another MB. Just about everything that could go wrong with a car, went wrong with that one. Just over £3k in repair bills in 18 months of ownership! The final straw which saw both catalytic convertors fail, pushed me over the edge.

Anyway, I'm really hoping that this time round, MB ownership is going to be a more relaxing experience.

I had a strict £7k limit, and after a lot of searching, I decided on this one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-270-CDI-Elegance-DIESEL-/270701003564?pt=Automobiles_UK


I'm really hoping that this E270 CDI Elegance with 79k, FSH, 12 months MOT and a short warranty will restore my faith in the badge.

It seems to tick most of my boxes. It's certainly not perfect, although within my price range, it seemed like a good deal. I suppose the two things that disappoint me are the scuffed alloys and the lack of a CD player (I still can't believe that a "prestige" car, even 9 years old, doesn't have one!).

Now for the questions:

1. Is there a pre-purchase / test drive / inspection checklist for this vehicle?

2. (Now here's the stupid one - apologies) Is it a W211?

3. Which warranty would you recommend? I've already had a quote from Warranty Direct for £600 pa and Warranty Wise for £890 pa. After my last Merc experience, this seems sensible!

4. I've opted for this option (probably temporary) to turn the fitted cassette deck (still can't believe it) into a MP3 player:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-CPA9-AE-Car-cassette-adaptor/dp/B00007EDLW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298578363&sr=8-1

Have any of you had experience of this gizmo? I must admit, I had a similar gadget in the early 90s and it was rubbish.

5. Following on from Q4, I'll ultimately be looking to install an audio system with a more permanent MP3 connection. I have no interest in SAT NAV, I don't need a CD player and I'm not bothered if the steering wheel audio controls don't work. Recommendations welcomed.

6. I've read the Valeo stories on this site with horror. The car only comes with a 3 month warranty so I've booked it in with an excellent indie in Bridgend on Thursday morning to give it an inspection. I'm assuming you'd all recommend changing radiators if there's a Valeo on it. I'm not sure about the oil cooler option though. I've asked for the springs to be checked too. I'm far more a preventative rather than remedial work sort of fella. Thoughts?

7. I've read that rust can be an issue on these models. What should I be looking out for when I inspect the car?

8. Will the service history identify whether the rad's been swapped and when the ATF's been done?

9. I understand that these models have experienced several electrical problems. Anything, in particular, I should look out for when I inspect the car (see Q1)?

I would genuinely welcome your advice here guys/gals. I'd also appreciate some finger crossing on my behalf between now and next Wednesday. I really could do without another MB disaster.

 

[developer]

Hello Maestegman,

I would be looking to take an indie pre purchase, not post purchase. Most, if not all of your questions will be answered before you part with your cash.

It's a W211 and there's lots of general info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes_e_clas

 

[timskemp]

1. Make sure everything works, walk away if anything doesn't, there's lots around.
2. It's a W211 and an early one too. Check for rust, valeo, SBC noise and make sure everything works.

4. If it has cassette see if there's a changer lurking somewhere, under a moving panel under the head unit, it will have a seperate AGW in the boot (amp / audio gateway) and is not the easiest thing to mod.

5. Find one with Audio 20 CD as it doesn't have the AGW and can be swapped out for an aftermarket radio - I did.

6. Fit new rad or seperate transmission cooler. I didn't and paid 1500 quid for not doing. Springs will fail, one day. Don't fret over the springs unless they're already gone.


7. Just check as much as you can.

8. Probably not. Also ATF is not scheduled on these cars - "sealed for life" where life <150k miles

9. Mine was reliable, only electrical issues were an alternator failure and the number plate lamp failed and didn't recover.

 

[maestegman]

Many thanks both - very much appreciated.

Any indies in the Blackburn area on the forum tonight?