Service history doesn't add up - problem?

[Power_n_Glory]

Hi all

Complete newbie here on the hunt for a V8 MB, so hope you can help..

I'm looking at a C55 2006 with 94k miles on it tomorrow... and I am confused by the service history as the seller says it has 'full history' with 6 at MB dealer +1 at an Indie 1k ago. On the phone he said 'yes, it has a full history' but I would think there should be ... with the huge B service to come at 100k, and it sounds like it's just had an annual oil change! Am I right and is this a big problem?

I really do not want a toasted V8!

Seller says that Indie is the garage that supplied the last car to the previous owner.

Alarm bells are ringing - should I be concerned?

Thanks to anyone who can help!

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Hello and welcome.
I would imagine that the majority of cars over 4 years old are serviced by an independent regardless of make. Check how many miles between the last MB service and the indie one (was the indie an MB one?)If a B service is an issue with you then buy elswhere or ask for a redudction in price.

 

[Power_n_Glory]

Yes, agree about the Indie and the Big B is not a problem particularly - it's the number of services as I would expect 9 at 90+k...

I am relaxed about the mileage as long as the servicing is on the nail whether by (MB preferrably!) Indie or dealer. But it'r 7 services for 94k...

 

[John]

Welcome...

I thought the servicing was normally 18,000 > 20,000 or annually, so I would expect perhaps 5 services or 6 respectively... but it doesn't always work out like that.

Also, it normally rotates A to B to A to B etc. so if it just had an A, it will be due a B - but barter hard as said.

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Not well up on all the MB models,however,mine is a 2005 and that has services dictated by the car. My car was last serviced in July 2011, have just checked it now and it says A service due in 7,200 miles. If the car does a lot of short stop go trips it will require servicing more often than one that does high miles. In my service book (and probably yours) there is a space for the dealer to write how many miles overdue the service was performed, or if performed on time. Hope this helps.

 

[Power_n_Glory]

Thanks guys - really helpful

Saw the car today and I looked for Woody's suggestion of the mileage box on the service history and and they were all there or thereabouts +- 1000 miles, fairly equally spaced and last main dealer at Newbury at 83k with the last one recently done. Not a lot of history, just the main service receipts and vagu diagnostics. Not the full wallet I was expecting.

Discs were hardly worn, only a fraction of a millimetre out of them so either all replaced (most likely) or motorway miles. No sign of any leaks, engine bay all as expected - a but grubby but it is 94k...

One thing... when the guy started it from cold in the garage, a plume of blue smoke emerged, filled the back of the garage and then exhaust cleared and idled smoothly. On mortal cars I would say valve guides. Are these engines different?

Oh, and when I arrived on his doorstep he said there had been a mistake and the price was £1k more than advertised.... although it had looked a bit of a bargain.

Thoughts on that smoke...?

Cheers again!

 

[Will]

One thing... when the guy started it from cold in the garage, a plume of blue smoke emerged, filled the back of the garage and then exhaust cleared and idled smoothly. On mortal cars I would say valve guides. Are these engines different?

Hi and welcome,

I've not underlined those words to seem awkward, but it is of strong relevance.

A very tiny 'puff' or slight sign when first started would be of little concern, but enough blue smoke to fill a garage is definitely not normal.

Some people seem to get a tiny bit on first startup from these engines (and probably top up a small amount of oil between services). My 75k miler CLK55 doesn't use any oil, the exhaust tips are pretty clean and it doesn't smoke on startup. I keep it in a garage with painted walls (white) and the walls/floor etc are still clean despite the back of the car being close to a wall and three years of all cold starts being inside.

So - if it's as noticable as you say, I would be a little concerned - a trace would be normal, a garage filled with smoke not normal IMHO.

Will

 

[Power_n_Glory]

Thanks Will

I should be more accurate; it was a second or two of blue from the pipes and hung around just at the very back of the garage as a mild haze, so not severe but definitely noticeable and I thought 'Aye Aye'. So at the milder end and maybe not unexpected given 94k...?

Mike

 

[sjmaxwell]

My CLK55 does the blue smoke thing and it's only done 46K!

I was worried so spoke to two dealers and an indie. They all said that it wasn't unusual on the V8 AMG's with one of the dealers even saying that they had a brand new one that did it and when they spoke to Germany were told it was known and there were no fixes for it!

They all said the same thing - not to worry about it as long as it was only on cold start up.

Hope this helps

 

[Power_n_Glory]

It does!

Great guys, thanks very much. Getting a good picture. Just got to persuade the dealer to take back the £1k increase...

Cheers

Mike

 

[sjmaxwell]

Something to check though is that the service stamps are genuine Merc ones. The merc dealer should be able to do this and can confirm what work was done

 

[jam38]

Oh, and when I arrived on his doorstep he said there had been a mistake and the price was £1k more than advertised.... although it had looked a bit of a bargain.

Has the seller changed the price on the advert to the correct one? If he wants more money then I personally would go tell him to do one. I guess he is trying it on, but for someone to make a mistake on the advert when it comes to the miles, MOT length etc is understandable, but the price?

 

[John]

Something to check though is that the service stamps are genuine Merc ones. The merc dealer should be able to do this and can confirm what work was done

Well worth doing - I did this on mine. Of course one of the dealers was impossible to get hold of and never returned my calls - but the other confirmed their service, as did the indes - which I was satisfied with.

Has the seller changed the price on the advert to the correct one? If he wants more money then I personally would go tell him to do one. I guess he is trying it on, but for someone to make a mistake on the advert when it comes to the miles, MOT length etc is understandable, but the price?

Ditto. It's a case of "tough ****" if he wants to sell it.

Thirsty V8 automatics are not really in huge demand these days...

In fact, I would be looking at getting further money off the original price - not the old "put a grand on it trick and if I begrudgingly take it off as good will - he will buy it" bo-lucks.

 

[Power_n_Glory]

Good tips, will definitely check the dealer stamps although they looked pretty authentic to me. And yes, he has now increased the advert price by a grand. I'm cool at the mo, there are a few cars out there with a variety of ages and mileages and all about 2k below book from indie dealers, so JohnEBoy's comment is spot on about demand.

Funny thing is that by the date of the MOT, this dealer had already had it for 5 weeks and had reduced the price by a grand a week earlier so it was no mistake. Very odd behaviour indeed!

I WILL be getting one of these things soon. Thanks for your help...

 

[jaymanek]

I can also confirm that some of the 55 engines do emit some blue smoke on start up, but it should only be a puff...

but in a showroom or building it may appear more than it is as it cannot dissipate easily.

 

[sjmaxwell]

Good tips, will definitely check the dealer stamps although they looked pretty authentic to me. And yes, he has now increased the advert price by a grand. I'm cool at the mo, there are a few cars out there with a variety of ages and mileages and all about 2k below book from indie dealers, so JohnEBoy's comment is spot on about demand.

Funny thing is that by the date of the MOT, this dealer had already had it for 5 weeks and had reduced the price by a grand a week earlier so it was no mistake. Very odd behaviour indeed!

I WILL be getting one of these things soon. Thanks for your help...

Dont just rely on the dealer stamps LOOKING realistic, do ask the Merc dealer to check as I did have a car with a "fake" dealer stamp that looked authentic but the dealer code number didn't exist!

 

[markjay]

Up to 2007 MB cars were on variable service intervals so 18 months or 18k between services is not unheard of. From 2007 MB reverted back to annual service schedule to avoid confusion (i.e. there is no mechanical change in the engines or difference in the maintenance procedures - just the timing changed from variable to fixed to satisfy fleet managers).

Also, both A and B services are essentially just an oil and filter change. The rest of the service items are changed based on mileage or time and are not linked to neither A nor B service.

So check when the following were last done:

Cabin filter
Air filter
Fuel filter
Brake fluid
Spark plug change
ATF
Coolant (unless 15-years coolant)

As said these all need doing from time to time and are not done as matter of course during A or B service - unless they happen to be due at the time of servicing .

This is for standard C-Class though - AMG cars may have different schedule.

Either way MB ESS will show exactly what is due and when.

 

[scottydee]

Personally, I would say that if you have so much doubt - walk away........

 

[John]

Not being in a rush is great news as you can study the market and see what cars are doing what.

Then you get an idea of what is shifting and what isn't and you can hold your cards close to your chest.

You start to see the same cars week after week. I knew the price history of a particular E55 (to a point i.e. when it first appeared on AT after I'd bought mine) to be able to pass that on to someone on here (TDE1) a month or two after - who ended up buying it and a bargain price for the plate and mileage it was on.

 

[jackafrica]

Sit back for a day or two and see if the dealer comes back to you.
if he doesn't and you want the car, make an offer which is below his original asking price.

He'll counter no doubt, then try to justify the increase.

Carefully and kindly offer the same as you offered and justify to him that you feel your money doesn't blow blue smoke and that a a serious buyer, there are other cars, but you liked his presentation.
Remember, he has to feel good, even if he came over as a numpty.

Can't hurt.
Otherwise, walk away and leave him to it. There will be another, surely.

Cheers
Richard