thebarefootchef
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A plate, fresh MOT, £600 - good buy?
230 TE
- Thread starter thebarefootchef
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andy_k
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- Bexhill On Sea, East Sussex
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- Your Mercedes
- E55 AMG
depends on too many things to say whether or not it's a good buy 
if it's in great mechanical condition, the back suspension works properly, the engine is quiet and non smoky, the interior is in good condition with no rust and all the electrics work then it's a good buy. If any of those points are not met the it's not such a good buy.
Suspension parts are expensive to replace so check for any leaks and check the self levelling is working properly.
listen to the tappets from cold and more importantly the timing chain - quite frankly on the engine you will be loooking at I'd budget for a new timing chain immediateley if you buy the car
Seats wear out, most will have a tear or worn patch on the drivers seat back and the springs in the base wear out.
Rust is can be a problem on the older cars and if it's rusty on the surface you can guarantee it's hiding a lot more underneath or behind the panels.
Electrics such as the windows and sunroof can require attention - that can get expensive as well.
Listen to the transmission, if it's slightly noisy on the overrun, shows any signs of snatching or rough changes and doesn't kick down smoothly then don't buy it - expect a gearbox to last 165k miles before requiring attention.
Get the car inspected by someone who knows these cars and try and get the price dropped by at least £100 and you could get yourself a decent car for not much money.
HTH
Andy K
if it's in great mechanical condition, the back suspension works properly, the engine is quiet and non smoky, the interior is in good condition with no rust and all the electrics work then it's a good buy. If any of those points are not met the it's not such a good buy.
Suspension parts are expensive to replace so check for any leaks and check the self levelling is working properly.
listen to the tappets from cold and more importantly the timing chain - quite frankly on the engine you will be loooking at I'd budget for a new timing chain immediateley if you buy the car
Seats wear out, most will have a tear or worn patch on the drivers seat back and the springs in the base wear out.
Rust is can be a problem on the older cars and if it's rusty on the surface you can guarantee it's hiding a lot more underneath or behind the panels.
Electrics such as the windows and sunroof can require attention - that can get expensive as well.
Listen to the transmission, if it's slightly noisy on the overrun, shows any signs of snatching or rough changes and doesn't kick down smoothly then don't buy it - expect a gearbox to last 165k miles before requiring attention.
Get the car inspected by someone who knows these cars and try and get the price dropped by at least £100 and you could get yourself a decent car for not much money.
HTH
Andy K
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