Used Cars
Hey, Jack!
I'm not the EXPERT on the W124's, but I want to weigh in on this topic. :teach: I've purchased hundreds of vehicles at auction and from private owners. In almost every instance there was work to be done to refurbish each of these vehicles. No one sells a running and inspected vehicle(except dealers). There is always something hidden that can be difficult to expose, and I doubt the present owner will reveal such flaws.
IMHO the MB products, IN GENERAL, are always rebuildable, no matter their present condition. The only true killer of these products is rust. These are not "other brands" where the value will never be there, no matter how much money you pour into them. And the key word is really VALUE. Cars are horrid investments, but if you personally want to invest in a product that will pay you dividends in terms of quality and enjoyment, the MB products deliver.
There are experts who know every nut and bolt on these products, and they can give you very specific items to be aware of when looking at these units. What I want to impart is the idea that you shouldn't be too afraid of taking a leap into another MB vehicle, IF it meets your personal standards, such as appearance and overall drivability. So what if you end up with a $10k investment in a vehicle only worth $2-5,000? You can easily lose that kinda money on the purchase of a NEW(ER) model vehicle, no matter the brand. People that claim Merc's are too expensive, require expensive maintenance, and are excessively problematic, are just ignorant, paranoid, and fearful of their ability to make decisions. I've said it before, MB's are special cars for special people. There are "other brands" for those other folks. :devil
These older MB vehicles are money in the bank as far as I'm concerned. :shit not: And if I like the overall "feel" of such a vehicle I say do it! It's not like you are in the business of buying and reselling these cars, is it? An example of how crazy I am, I'm chasing a '79 W116, that I really don't need, nor do I have a place to store it. I just WANT it. Look at how many of these forum members have multiple Mercs as an example of the insanity. :eek
My personal priorities in a vehicle purchase: :nerd
1. Drivetrain. Fluids are the blood supply of the moving parts, and offer color, texture, and odor for inspection. Brakes and shocks are expendables, so expect to change them($1k). Inspect as many moving parts as possible. Use any CEL issues to your advantage.
2.Interior. Common sense dictates that the condition of the interior speaks volumes about the rest of the vehicle's condition. The interior is your living space, make certain it is livable.
3. Exterior. This is what people see(and judge you by), and if it's ratty, you can spend a fortune making it nice. As you inspect the exterior with the seller, TOUCH every single flaw you notice, don't say anything, just touch it. This technique will save you dollahs when negotiating! Open and close all the doors, windows, trunk, hood. Look for leaky seals. TOUCH every flaw. Play with the sound system, including the CD player if equipped.
4. Electrical. If everything lights up properly, and the ignition works properly, you are probably safe. If you notice any makeshift wiring, especially trailer hitches, make certain you can easily make those repairs.
5. Drivability. Start the vehicle, turn off the radio, windows down. Let it idle, do a look see under the hood as it's warming up, LISTEN!! When it warms to operating temps, begin by driving figure eights very slowly in a parking lot, both directions. LISTEN!! Feel for pulls and ticks in the steering/suspension/drivetrain. Hit the road at the speeds you normally drive, including highway speeds. LISTEN!!
6. Let the seller sell the piece. Listen to what he/she has to say, sometimes they will accidentally reveal something that you need to know. If they toss you the keys and expect you to "figure it out", that is usually a red flag. At that point I'd defer to an inspection by a MB specialist, if you think it really is a decent vehicle, but you don't trust you knowledge and instincts.
7. The deal is the deal. People buy the deal, price matters. If you feel the cream puff is overpriced for the condition, do another walk around with the seller and touch all the flaws, this time estimating the cost of repairs. Ditto the interior flaws and mention possible repairs to the drivetrain, given the mileage, etc. If you feel the known transmission issues can save you $2k off the top, mention it. You don't want to steal the unit, but you certainly don't want to leave money on the table.
The bottom line is... no two vehicles are alike, each one is unique, and judging their quality is an art. It's what speaks to you that matters. If you know your way around a specific model you can even buy a vehicle sight unseen, given you ask the right questions. I have found few sellers that will outright lie when asked a specific question. They may be vague, or say "I don't know." in which case you can safely assume there is a problem in that area.
Jack, you know what it takes to keep your present Merc on the road, you are not a true newbie. When I see forum members say they inherited a piece, or bought a "good deal", and then immediately state that they never owned a MB, or worse yet any "furrin" car, I cringe. I think you have a good handle on this situation, knowing what to look for in a general way, and I'd trust you to make a purchase or inspection in MY behalf with MY money. And if you do find that you experience problems down the road, you seem to be in a financial position to make the needed repairs. Good Luck, and get that boat back to shore, and get out there and spend some dough before winter sets in! :thumbsup: