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What The Hell Could Have Happened???

atchaa

New Member
Joined
May 23, 2004
Messages
7
Hey there folks,

I placed a deposit on a C280 Sport that I showed you guys a week back:

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=7408

I really liked it, we agreed on the price of £5k, and I gave him a £100 deposit.

I was going to collect the car next Tuesday, but he just left me a message on voicemail saying the car has "packed up" and he's "gutted"

Apparently, he was on his way home from wor, and something in the engine just BLEW UP! He says there was smoke and "much besides" coming out. He said he feared the worst.

The car's gone to a garage (won't start) to be diagnosed, and he'll let me know tomorrow, but as I say, he isn't hopeful.

What could have happened???

The car had a FULL Merc dealership history, had done only 81000 miles and seemd in perfect cosmetiic AND mechanical condition. He says he'll refund the deposit "worst comes to worst".

Any ideas/advice, he definitely wants to get rid of the car, so shall I offer to buy (at a much reduced price obviously)???

AND WHAT COULD IT BE THAT HAPPENED???

Sorry for being so excitable but I really coudn't wait to get the car, it seemed a real gem.

But I suppose it's better this way than it blowing up on MY way home!
 
Well on my dad's 1999 E300 turbo diesel one of the oil pumps chafed through on the steering column at 84000 miles. Quite a regular occurence apparrently, but MB refuse to admit its a design flaw and won't fix it themselves.
Needed a new engine, having dumped all of its oil on the road at 45mph.
 
Sounds like you have had a lucky escape. Maybe the seller wanted to move it in because he knew there was something not right with the car. That sounds terribly cynical, but these things do happen.
 
You going to get your money back?

Shame this has happened - but better now than after you bought it!
 
Robbo said:
Sounds like you have had a lucky escape. Maybe the seller wanted to move it in because he knew there was something not right with the car. That sounds terribly cynical, but these things do happen.

Absolutely. (Wonder if the vendor attempted to drive it as if it actually was a C36?)

Could be anything from blown head gasket to something really horrible such as a broken piston or connecting rod, in which case your man will have his wallet gutted as well by the time that is sorted
 
Any ideas/advice, he definitely wants to get rid of the car, so shall I offer to buy (at a much reduced price obviously)???

I would say do not buy it under any circumstances. Another one will come along soon enough.
 
Classic!! Old traders trick - He's got a higher offer, no doubt. Just makesure you get your money back...

Basically if he tells you this, then he risks you kicking up a fuss as youve paid a deposit etc... This way youll think youre the lucky one.

Wouldnt bother arguing with him, the cars obviously sold to someone else..
 
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The thing is this guy is definitely a private seller, I'm in doubts about this, and he did sound genuinely distressed on the phone (although I appreciate he may be fine actor).

He said he will call me tomorrow with what the garage tells him.

I was really looking forward to this car, and although one will come along eventually, they're so darned rare.
 
Well on my dad's 1999 E300 turbo diesel one of the oil pumps chafed through on the steering column at 84000 miles. Quite a regular occurence apparrently, but MB refuse to admit its a design flaw and won't fix it themselves.
Needed a new engine, having dumped all of its oil on the road at 45mph
.

Robby
This is worrying can you explain better what happened, the only thing that seems near to the steering column on my car is the downpipe between the turbo and cat.

C230K
98 E300TD
93 E300TD
 
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jaymanek said:
Classic!! Old traders trick - He's got a higher offer, no doubt. Just makesure you get your money back...

Basically if he tells you this, then he risks you kicking up a fuss as youve paid a deposit etc... This way youll think youre the lucky one.

Wouldnt bother arguing with him, the cars obviously sold to someone else..


I agree with Jay here.
I've seen this stunt many years ago. The buyer deserved it though as he had been putting other buyers off with scare stories relating to a noisy gearbox. When a better offer came the seller told the buyer the gearbox had failed!
 
230K said:
Well on my dad's 1999 E300 turbo diesel one of the oil pumps chafed through on the steering column at 84000 miles. Quite a regular occurence apparrently, but MB refuse to admit its a design flaw and won't fix it themselves.
Needed a new engine, having dumped all of its oil on the road at 45mph
.

Robby
This is worrying can you explain better what happened, the only thing that seems near to the steering column on my car is the downpipe between the turbo and cat.

C230K
98 E300TD
93 E300TD

Never heard of this and don't see how it could happen. the steering column is in free space.
 
Its a v old trick, and cant really blame the seller.
Only way to know, is to ask to see it and assess the damage...

Jay
 

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