Pre purchase, advice needed!

[pekay]

Hi folks, I've been a member here for a few years but only recently started posting again! I'm picking your brains with regards to a specific issue on a CLS55 i'm interested in, link to autotrader ad here....https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104081132095?fromSavedAds=true&advertising-location=at_cars.

I have spoken to the vendor and i'm happy with the history on the car based on my own checks and questions!, in a recent conversation the vendor stated that a coolant light has recently popped up on the dash??, the vehicle has had a new radiator and pipes fitted 600miles back after a fracture on the original rad, he has spoken to his garage who apparently have said this can happen after rad work?

My question to you guys is: could this be something as serious as a head gasket or a simple common issue!! The car is some distance from me so I don't really want a wasted journey if it's something sinister waiting to bite my ar**.....I have enough knowledge to know the signs regarding any serious issues if i were to inspect the car in person but it's a long way to travel just to carry out a personal inspection and reveal a big problem!!......any feedback welcomed!

Admin! if i've posted in the wrong place please relocate!

 

[MrGreedy]

In light of a few potential problems and the fact this is a private sale and you are totally on your own, the best advice is, if you are serious about this car, is offer to pay to have the vendor take it to a Mercedes Specialist of your choice for an inspection. Draw up a simple contract that says e.g. the payment of the pre-purchase inspection is an option on the car, and after the inspection you have the right to immediately buy or reject (that way you would have a claim if it was inspected, found to be sorted, and they jacked the price up and sold to someone else).

As for coolant warning popping up after a rad change, it air is flushed out of the system and into the expansion tank, this is not uncommon but should be a one-time top up. If it's a head gasket issue, it will keep reducing coolant on a long drive, and they should be sight or smell of petrol in the expansion tank or emulsion under the filler cap (after cooling). Worth speaking to the specialist about this.

These engines are super expensive to replace, around the price of the car, so you want to know what you are getting into mechanically if there is any doubt.

The only other observation is the gap around the rear RHS door, the gap around the filler flap and the potential colour difference on the rear bumper on the same side. Has there been a repair?

 

[markjay]

'Coolant level low' warning light after work on the cooling system can be normal if trapped air gets to the expansion bottle. But it should go away once the expansion bottle is topped-up.

If the warning persists, it could still be something simple such as a faulty coolant level sensor or a wiring issue, but it could equally be something more serious. My advice is to get to the bottom of this before buying the car.

 

[markjay]

On another note... I would want to know that any major work done on an AMG car was carried-out by a specialist who knows these cars, rather than by a generic garage.

 

[MBC300]

As a point of discussion….Does anyone consider that within the Mercedes-Benz family can the MB AMG Line cars currently being fitted with numerous AMG parts as standard equipment be considered an AMG Model ?

 

[Doodle]

As a point of discussion….Does anyone consider that within the Mercedes-Benz family can the MB AMG Line cars currently being fitted with numerous AMG parts as standard equipment be considered an AMG Model ?

That's a point that's been discussed to death in numerous previous threads, usually with acrimonious results as someone takes umbrage over their AMG Line being called not a proper AMG, or lamenting the dilution of the brand. We can probably do without another one.

 

[BPD07]

As a point of discussion….Does anyone consider that within the Mercedes-Benz family can the MB AMG Line cars currently being fitted with numerous AMG parts as standard equipment be considered an AMG Model ?

Only people with little willies care. Any Mercedes is pretty good, but it probably the AMG engine and drivetrain before it is a “real” one.

 

[MBC300]

That's a point that's been discussed to death in numerous previous threads, usually with acrimonious results as someone takes umbrage over their AMG Line being called not a proper AMG, or lamenting the dilution of the brand. We can probably do without another one.

I guess when I’ve been on the site for 16 years I’ll probably remember all previous posts, sorry to ask

 

[Doodle]

I guess when I’ve been on the site for 16 years I’ll probably remember all previous posts, sorry to ask

Or just do a search?

 

[pekay]

In light of a few potential problems and the fact this is a private sale and you are totally on your own, the best advice is, if you are serious about this car, is offer to pay to have the vendor take it to a Mercedes Specialist of your choice for an inspection. Draw up a simple contract that says e.g. the payment of the pre-purchase inspection is an option on the car, and after the inspection you have the right to immediately buy or reject (that way you would have a claim if it was inspected, found to be sorted, and they jacked the price up and sold to someone else).

As for coolant warning popping up after a rad change, it air is flushed out of the system and into the expansion tank, this is not uncommon but should be a one-time top up. If it's a head gasket issue, it will keep reducing coolant on a long drive, and they should be sight or smell of petrol in the expansion tank or emulsion under the filler cap (after cooling). Worth speaking to the specialist about this.

These engines are super expensive to replace, around the price of the car, so you want to know what you are getting into mechanically if there is any doubt.

The only other observation is the gap around the rear RHS door, the gap around the filler flap and the potential colour difference on the rear bumper on the same side. Has there been a repair?

Good advice!! cheers, it may well come to that, but if a few pertinent questions aren't answered to my satisfaction by the seller I simply wont be travelling to view!

 

[Londonscottish]

As a point of discussion….Does anyone consider that within the Mercedes-Benz family can the MB AMG Line cars currently being fitted with numerous AMG parts as standard equipment be considered an AMG Model ?

In a word, no.

 

[Martin 1]

A bit depressing, but as it's a private sale, I'd be inclined to walk away, you have NO comeback. Good luck.

 

[jimjamiejames]

Patients is key when looking for a more specialist car. Why risk an unknown fault unless its a bargain of course and you're clued up. Why does the current owner not just fix it if its a simple fault, has the feeling of inheriting someone elses headache to me.

 

[John]

Apologies to the OP.

As a point of discussion….Does anyone consider that within the Mercedes-Benz family can the MB AMG Line cars currently being fitted with numerous AMG parts as standard equipment be considered an AMG Model ?

As a previous owner of a 211 E55K AMG, which is an AMG model, I currently own an 222 S500L AMG Line and I can categorically confirm an AMG Line is NOT and AMG model.

AMG Line is merely a trim level.

 

[MBC300]

Thanks for the positive replies, new opinion is always a good thing. Question answered, thanks.

 

[Fastcar155]

As a point of discussion….Does anyone consider that within the Mercedes-Benz family can the MB AMG Line cars currently being fitted with numerous AMG parts as standard equipment be considered an AMG Model ?

Hi , my car is an AMG Line car and it's not a true AMG.

It's similar to BMW with all the M car variations.

Don't loose any sleep over it.

 

[MBC300]

Some interesting replies, thanks for the opinions which is useful information for my next and 5th Mercedes purchase, I guess the AMG trim makes it feel a nicer car but without the brut force under the bonnet or the running costs, but these days unless you’re a track day driver is it a very useable difference. Just before the big engine Mercedes-Benz owners come back and say it’s not all about speed I understand as I have over the last 10 years or so owned 2 911’s 3.8S and just sold my DB9 6.0 litre. But I think my mature driving years may now become satisfied with the C300 Cabriolet I’m looking at right now. I’m tired of the number of guys expecting me to race them off the line at every traffic light or roundabout. My original question was simply to find out what is and isn’t meant by the term AMG and what AMG Line means, I didn’t want a salesman’s interpretation of what he thought I wanted it to be. Thanks again for the clarificatio.

 

[Rich764089]

but these days unless you’re a track day driver is it a very useable difference.

Yes, a very big difference in my opinion. But I suppose it depends what you want from a car, and how you drive it. If you don't indulge in spirited driving (as you allude to above) then maybe not.

I certainly use the performance that's on tap with my AMG pretty much every time I drive it, that's why I have it; it's fun and you can do things in it that you just cannot do in a non-AMG MB.

Anyway, good luck with the purchase

 

[John757]

I would not buy a car with known faults ... especially on an engine as highly tuned as the CLS 55 AMG I alway buy from a dealer, with a warranty and some recourse if it goes pop...
On the AMG question
I have both... An E350 coupe AMG line, for 11 years All factory fitted AMG line parts wheels Dealer fitted AMG badge etc ... and never felt like I had an AMG , just a nice sporty looking Mercedes. Until a month ago when I bought an SL55 AMG.. just the sound of the rumbling engine and the feeling of potential 500BHP power make the whole experience of owning an AMG more real, more satisfying.. and ultimately more thrilling to own.. it is my first AMG powered car.. and it gives me a smile the E350 could never do.. yes it will cost more to own and run.. but having all that power means you don't need to prove anything at the traffic light GP.. petrol heads just know.. the special feeling owning one of these cars gives you.

 

[MBC300]

Thanks to the last couple of commentS, understanding the enjoyment of ownership is what I certainly had with my previous 911 Carrera S so with that thought in mind I’m booked to test drive a 2019 AMG to see if it gives me the same feel as the 911