Opinions on this one please?

[jamesfuller]

This is only a few miles from me, and will be trying to view it before bidding. Opinions please? Bearing in mind I want a cheap load lugger/shed. Don't particularly care if it looks like a basket case.

How do these fair in general?
Is the limp home/battery thing going to be a headache to fix?
What is it worth?



X Reg Mercedes E240 Elegance Auto 7 seater Estate | eBay

Would be grateful for any advise!

 

[jamesfuller]

Don't think this is going to end well, have been looking at Audi 5 cylinder estates, Swedish Turbo wagons and all sorts of weird and wonderful things.
I shouldn't really get something 'upgradable' as it always goes too far!

 

[merc85]

deffo not a fan of the chrome wheel arch trims

 

[jamesfuller]

deffo not a fan of the chrome wheel arch trims

They wont last long trust me.

I need a load lugger big estate, maybe a hatch back that is pretty tough and reliable but throw away cheap!

Its going to be driven down narrow country lanes and dirt/forestry tracks just a little bit to fast whilst fully laden with tools/fuel/spares

 

[E55BOF]

"Relisted due to timewasters" often means somebody has won it, come and seen it, thought "Jesus Christ what a heap" and declined to proceed. It's bid to £460 both times it's been on previously, and presumably it's been offered to at least the next highest bidder each time, but it still hasn't gone. Not a good sign.

The wheel arch trims were fitted to hide the rust there, but it's spread too far. The main thing to check for is rust elsewhere; if the underside, the crossmember between the front suspension assemblies, and the spring perches, are OK, it might be what you're after. It won't look as good in the metal as it does in the pics; nothing ever does.

It will be slow with that engine.

Spotty service history; not a good sign.

I don't know about the limp home problem, but in my experience, "I don't know what the problem is" often - but not always - means "I think it will be expensive to fix". Not a good sign.

I'd find out the possible/likely causes of the transmission problem - it may have been in limp home mode before the battery went flat. Try a post in the 'Oily Bits' forum on here.

Once that's done, and you have some answers, go and take a look, and see what you think of the car and the seller. If the likely cost to sort the transmission isn't much, and you're otherwise happy, go ahead and bid, or probably even better, offer him cash there and then. If I'd seen my car bid up to £460 twice, and both sales fell through, I'd snap your hand off for £400!

HTH

 

[merc85]

A old Volvo 940 lpt Red block will be cheap, dated but will do what you want it to. or a w124 te both great load luggers and very reliable.

 

[MBSpecialist]

Hi All thanks for having me....
I think it could cost as much as a 1000

could be an electrical issue but 9 out of 10 mechanics are going to want to change some expensive stuff

 

[jamesfuller]

Thanks for the replies.
I have still not had a reply from him after asking to view the car! Now in that situation this to me doesn't quite add up! Shouldn't the thought of me being within 5 miles and cash waiting deserve a response???
Alarm bells time me thinks.

Merc85, it looks like a Volvo will be making the short list. I still have a 124TE but I don't really want to ruin it. Same with any other 124, if its worth traveling for and buying it will be to good to trash!

There are still plenty of 850/V70 about and I am very happy with reliability of these, shame as I had the 8mm sump guard from my last v70 up until a few months ago!

Might have to look at a few old school Audi's!

 

[jamesfuller]

Despite previous comments made by myself, tomorrow afternoon I am off to view an S124!

 

[jamesfuller]

Ok, so I have just done a deal on an Estate, not a Merc but an impressive bit of kit! Pick it up thursday:bannana:

 

[merc85]

Ok, so I have just done a deal on an Estate, not a Merc but an impressive bit of kit! Pick it up thursday:bannana:

what did you go for in the end? any pic's?

 

[jamesfuller]

A C4 Quattro V6!

 

[tjamesbo]

Hi James your new buy sounds interesting we expect to see some pictures and a review of whats good and whats bad Hope it all goes well not much is as dicey as the first few days with a new car specially when its older or high bit like watching a roulette wheel when its all on Red
Boyd

 

[tjamesbo]

And its german