W124 E320 Sportline Cab,Cat D Project

[Dee-124CAB]

Most desirable model being a E320 'sportline', in the most desirable colour combo of Azurite with mushroom leather....

Says only 89 E320 sportlines were made, & in this combo, the car is made even rarer...

It is a cat D, & rough around the edges, but could be a viable project if the price stays well under 4.5K...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-E320...3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:7|39:1|240:1318

 

[Howard]

Looks nice , not sure about the Carlos Fandango wheels though ...

 

[Dee-124CAB]

Agreed, the stance of the car is all wrong with those, they look like genuine AMG 18's though, should sell for good money, stick on a mint set of 8-holes & spend the rest of the money on the car...

 

[janner]

I think this car's had a fairly heavy frontal impact. The steering wheel's wrong (sportline ones with airbags are hard to find) and the passenger airbag doesn't look flush. The shut line between the bonnet and passenger's wing is also a bit 'iffy'. I'd run a mile from this one. Stolen/recovered cars do not get recorded as Cat D (unless damaged).

 

[Iain]

I think this car's had a fairly heavy frontal impact. The steering wheel's wrong (sportline ones with airbags are hard to find) and the passenger airbag doesn't look flush. The shut line between the bonnet and passenger's wing is also a bit 'iffy'. I'd run a mile from this one. Stolen/recovered cars do not get recorded as Cat D (unless damaged).

Oh yes they do! Plus there is damage. The dash trims need replacing. Looks like the radio was removed in a hurry possibly. What damage to the venneers there?

This would have been paid out on book value which is nowhere near what an enthusiast would value it at.

 

[Dee-124CAB]

The front end damage ties in with the fact that it needs a new rad fitted, but viewing it would be needed to see whats wrong with the old one.

But why go the trouble of repairing the body but then not get it running properly??

 

[janner]

Oh yes they do!

No, they don't. Cat D means it's been damaged. Whether it was also stolen/recovered is a different matter. He's trying to play down the fact that this car's had a fairly nasty front end smack.

 

[The G.F.P]

it looks nice but thats got a whiff about it thats not good

if he was being 100% he would have front end and damage pics but alas none

 

[kth286]

Get the full VIN and do a proper (paid for) history check.

Also ask for pictures of engine compartment.

 

[Iain]

No, they don't. Cat D means it's been damaged. Whether it was also stolen/recovered is a different matter. He's trying to play down the fact that this car's had a fairly nasty front end smack.

Yes they do! If the stereo had been ripped out unceremoniously then that would then constitute damage wouldn't it? Plus, you do not know how long this car remained stolen. The owner may well have been paid out long before it was found. This would also have given the car a marker, albeit a cat d. You cannot just assume because of a replacement rad and an inconsistent panel gap that appears on a dodgy photo that this has been in a heavy front end collision. The best suggestion would be to view.

 

[janner]

Sorry Iain but what you're saying isn't quite true. Just because a car has been stolen and recovered doesn't mean the car is automatically a Cat D, even if the insurance paid out. A ripped out stereo wouldn't count as Cat D damage if the dash was undamaged.
The reason I think this car has been smacked is the uneven panel gaps, the different front indicators, the missing sportline steering wheel (airbag?) and the damage to the dash which looks like the passenger airbag has gone off. Add his admission that it needs a radiator and aircon rad and I don't think it's a simple stolen/recovered.

I also think I recognise the number

 

[trapperjohn]

Hmmm. Feedback of 2 and ebay member since Feb 08. Defo buyer be very aware.

 

[V12]

I don't like it...
As said, wrong steering wheel...incidentally - Sportline steering wheels are the same as some of the early 129 Sl's so aren't all that bad to find.

That passanger airbag/dash gap isn't right, and you would NEVER see it like that unless one has gone off, they never get touched, they never get replaced, there is no reason for it being like this unless it's had a whack...

At the end of the day, the seller can't be bothered to
1. Get a bonnet emblem
2. Fit the front number plate
3. Find the correct wheel
4. at least push the stereo wiring back in the dash.

These things are very minor, but just show how lazy the seller is and how much he can't be bothered, which can easily be a reflection on other work on the car...

 

[Iain]

Sorry Iain but what you're saying isn't quite true. Just because a car has been stolen and recovered doesn't mean the car is automatically a Cat D, even if the insurance paid out. A ripped out stereo wouldn't count as Cat D damage if the dash was undamaged.
The reason I think this car has been smacked is the uneven panel gaps, the different front indicators, the missing sportline steering wheel (airbag?) and the damage to the dash which looks like the passenger airbag has gone off. Add his admission that it needs a radiator and aircon rad and I don't think it's a simple stolen/recovered.

I also think I recognise the number

I'm sorry but you are definately incorrect.
I concur with your assumption regarding the radiator(s) and the possibility of front end damage along with a different steering wheel and indicators. But my point was that damage to the centre console surrounding the radio and heating controls could constitute sufficient reason not to go ahead with repair. Cat D states that either the insurer or insured decided against repair.
As I said along with other members, the best course of action would be inspection first, then decision. After all it is only Cat D not Cat C so won't show on the V5 and it is an extremely desirable version of a W124 albeit at the right price.

 

[Iain]

I don't like it...
As said, wrong steering wheel...incidentally - Sportline steering wheels are the same as some of the early 129 Sl's so aren't all that bad to find.

That passanger airbag/dash gap isn't right, and you would NEVER see it like that unless one has gone off, they never get touched, they never get replaced, there is no reason for it being like this unless it's had a whack...

At the end of the day, the seller can't be bothered to
1. Get a bonnet emblem
2. Fit the front number plate
3. Find the correct wheel
4. at least push the stereo wiring back in the dash.

These things are very minor, but just show how lazy the seller is and how much he can't be bothered, which can easily be a reflection on other work on the car...

Are we considering a vehicle here or somebody's character?

I would like to add for other cynics that I have no connection or interest to this vehicle or seller.

 

[stevesey]

I also think I recognise the number

These things are very minor, but just show how lazy the seller is and how much he can't be bothered, which can easily be a reflection on other work on the car...

We bought the Mercedes which is believed to be stolen recovered (cat d) as a winter project with the aim to do the little work needed in order to be ready for my girlfriend to use this coming summer. She has in the meantime however bought a Boxster instead and hence I am now reluctantly selling the E320 as we do not need two convertibles!

I thought the number looked familar as well - probably from an ebay ad last Autumn.

Looks like basically he hasn't got around to doing any of the work and girlfriend is being impatient a woman and has just gone out and spent the money herself.

 

[Dee-124CAB]

Janner, to be fair the different colour side repeaters may well have been changed by the same owner who decided to change the wheels.... I agree with the rest of your conclusion...

Still cheep with just over an hour left, whatever is the case, at the right price this once proud charriot deserves a ressurection!

PS: the gearnob confirms it as a Sportline does it not?

 

[mikeouk]

i have a question

if a car is stolen, the insurance pay out because it isnt recovered, then, a year, 2 years, whatever down the line, the car turns up undamaged, the insurance company own it? they sell it, but isnt that deemed as a cat d??

 

[nick mercedes]

i have a question

if a car is stolen, the insurance pay out because it isnt recovered, then, a year, 2 years, whatever down the line, the car turns up undamaged, the insurance company own it? they sell it, but isnt that deemed as a cat d??

Stolen recovered cars always end up being recorded.

I've got a cat C 300E that I've had for years.

 

[mikeouk]

Stolen recovered cars always end up being recorded.

I've got a cat C 300E that I've had for years.

so a recorded car could have no damage at all?