Buying a C 270 CDI, but price?

[ModMan]

Hi, my first post, so hope I have not missed any guides that I should have seen for this,

Since just losing my company C200 I'm after another one and have found quite a nice 2002 C270 CDI.

The problem is the price as it has so many extra's and I wondered if you could give me some guidlines on price please.

30k miles, only the one owner, full leather.
Automatic transmission with Tiptronic system
12 month MOT
Full service history
Command system incorporating:
Satellite navigation system
Bose 10 speaker sound system
Cd multichanger fitted within glove compartment (6 CD)
Built in Nokia telephone system
Radio
Linguatronic voice control system:
AMG Alloy wheels
Rear parking sensors
Heated seats

I'm going to view it later but have been told it's immaculate. So any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[stumpy]

Yikes, that is some spec. Don't be swayed into thinking that all that makes it worth much more than one without. A bit more yes, maybe a grand but no more imo. From the sellers point of view he can't be too greedy as buyers will just go and buy a cheaper car without so much to go wrong out of warranty.

 

[ModMan]

Thanks for your reply. Yes it is quite a spec which is why I'm so interested. He has all the original docs for the car and the extra's alone were 14k which is insane.

I've only got Autotrader to go on, and a couple of other sites, but do you have any ballpark figures at what I should be looking at paying?

My ex 2003 C200 CDI was great and from new I covered 110000miles in it, the only issues were the turbo which went (under warranty) and the front springs. Everything else was spot on. (It was the sports coupe, not the saloon which I'm looking at now)

 

[jibcl500]

Compare on autotrader.co.uk and pistonheads.com its a buyers market place at the moment, take cash with you and let them see the cash is on you that way they know your there to buy, keep £3k somewhere not seen and haggle.


jib

 

[ModMan]

Autotrader and PH are difficult with none of those specs.

2003 ones with higher mileage are going from 13kish depending on the options.

This will be a private sale, would you say £11k is a fair starting point or should i be offering a lot less?

 

[jibcl500]

Find out why they want to sell, could be they have a big tax bill to pay!!! hit them hard with the insult £9k and go from there only increase the offers once you have offended them enough.
Dont jump in with an extra £2k as soon as the NO is heard. Keep the offers tight then call his bluff when your several K's below asking, thank them for their time etc and then try to walk but keep some communication going so it keeps them interested, if they say goodbye and walk you know they wont budge so you will need to go back in with more to reignite the deal. But keep it tight on the money.
Failing that just give him what he wants...................... but go through the car and find faults!!!!!!

jib

 

[ModMan]

Thanks for the tips and info Jib. He's already said he could get 12 but would settle for 11. He seems a really nice guy, just selling cos he doesn't use the car anymore. I'll go up and see it anyhow and see what he says. No rush

I'm already looking at the ipod and bluetooth kits on comand.co.uk, help!

 

[stumpy]

If he'll settle for 11 hit him with 10.

 

[ModMan]

Do you guys wanna come with me? I'm a softie and will just pay him what he asks.

 

[jberks]

As has been said, the extras aren't worth much - hence I can't understand anyone speccing command on a new car. £2k list is just plain silly, especually as command on a C doesn't play movies and in built sat nav isn't any better than a tomtom. So, I'd pay another £500 over the price of a non loaded car, just to have the toys, but that's about it.

Remember, a dealer will only offer trade, irrespective of spec so that's what you're competing with.

 

[ModMan]

Thanks for the replies and especially for the comments on Command on the C. Is there a comparison somewhere I can read for what it can/cant do compared to say an E's command system?

 

[Rory]

Thanks for the tips and info Jib. He's already said he could get 12 but would settle for 11.

Don't understand that - does he mean he *thinks* he can get 12?


That car must have cost 40 grand! How mad is that, for 5K miles per year?

I always wonder why people buy diesels for such low mileages too?


I have a pretty loaded late 2004 (so facelift) C270CDi Estate, but mine was an ex-MB managers car. As it happens, I've done a lot less miles than I expected as the way my job is done changed just after I got the car. It's done 35K now (I expected to be doing 25K/yr). I reckon mine is worth maybe £16,500. If the seller can really get 11-12 for his car then he's doing pretty well, although private buyers are often blinded by low mileage.

Those options are cool, but some people will see them as just more to go wrong.


Make sure that the service record is complete and with an MB dealer so that the Mobilolife body warranty is still intact.

 

[ModMan]

I'm not quite sure the more I think about it what he means by he could get £12k. I'll see anyhow tomorrow when I have a chat. Apparently he has the receipt for the car at 36k new. Apparently it was his pride and joy but just didn't want to run it.

Is the Mobilolife warranty void if not services by Merc themselves? Is this because the body is prone to rust and the later ones were galv? Would the 30 year warranty not cover that at all? Should I be looking at anywhere particular for rust?

The Merc warranty will have expired, can I re-take it out does anyone know?

 

[ModMan]

Ok, just went to look at it and it looks ok. I saw the original invoice in his name, the MOTS and the 2 services. 1st by MB and 2nd by an independent, does this mean I have lost the Mobilolife?

It's running on the AMG alloys which are very untidy around the lip, all the laquer has come up and they look a mess, but not really kerbed. It has 4 newish but no name brand tyres on it.

It ran ok and everything worked. I tried to listen for the humming or vibration for the gearbox fault many people mention but don't think I heard it, is it obvious? Also being the first 270 CDI i opened the bonnet and the engine was running but seemed to vibrate a bit, is this normal? Not having looked under the bonnet of a running merc is this normal?

Couple of scuffs on front bumper too, nothing major.

The seat bolster on the front leather seat was worn a bit and teh steering wheel was a bit shiny. Should I worry?

He seemed genuine, had all the paperwork, but I am just wondering if I should be concerned with the low miles, are they genuine? I have the VIN too which I put into the Russian site and it matches up. PS Where is PLANT 75, is that S.Africa?

I don't suppose anyone is in or around Bury, Lancashire that I could get advice on it?

Thanks again.

 

[Xtractorfan]

Best advice is to get it checked by the AA/RAC it cost around £200 and money well spent, they also give a guarantee if the car isnt what they say it is they will remimburse you...

 

[jberks]

Mobiliolife can be reactivated at any time so don't worry about that. Doesn't sound like it needs it anyway.
The 270 does vibrate a bit. The air filter mounts are a weak spot (just a couple of rubber bungs so cheap and easy to fix) and can cause the filter to vibrate noisily.

 

[ModMan]

Thats good to hear. It could do with a good wheel refurb so I shall use that as a bargaining tool.

Am I right to be concerned over the worn bolster on the drivers seat or does it just look worse than it is with it being black?

I wasn't sure where to check too for the issue with the Valeo radiators. Does anyone know how to tell if it's one which could damage the gearbox? Also would getting the AA warranty be worthwhile and cover it should it be an issue?

The £200 AA/RAC check sounds ok, but being a Lotus owner people normally don't recommend them and get a good independant to do teh inspection instead, is this teh case with Merc too?

 

[ModMan]

Oh I meant to ask too. It's only ever needed 2 services it says. The first was at a dealer on 2004 at 17k miles and the 2nd was at an independent at 30k miles. The display is asking for a service b in 8100 miles. Does this sound right as assyst I thought would report a service is needed regardless of mileage after 2 years. So it should have had at least 3 services so far?

I am just sceptical of the low mileage and wonder if he's had the odometer altered between MOT's to keep it low, hence my concern over the worn bolster and ever so slightly shiny steering wheel. Don't suppose there's any way of seeing if mileage has been adjusted if the MOT's match up?

 

[Silver-racer]

Re 270c
I have just part exed my '02 c220cdi evo-Pan sport coupe, (original price £27750) that had only 2 services on it, and one due in end of April, so when I part exed it in the End of Jan it showed about 3k to service. I am suprised at the Spec he's got and asking such a low price on it, because I actually got £12k part ex for mine ( plus a very low cash figure) against an ex demo (July 07) CLK, and the N wales dealer had the S Coupe up for sale within days of the sale at £12995 (now reduced to £11994).
Don't be afraid to haggle, as you can always walk away, as there is plenty of others about, and if you have any doubts about it's history or any bad vibes, WALK!!

Gerry
'07 CLK 220cdi Elegance with everything.
'02 SLK 200k (plaything)

 

[Rory]

The service regime is certainly possible - my late Oct 04 C270CDI has only been serviced twice, the first at 18000 and the second was only done the other day at 2yrs later (ASSYST won't let it go beyond 2yrs) when it had done another 16000 miles but I really only use my car a couple of times a month for long steady motorway journeys.

Using the car for short journeys will shorten the interval, but this car has such low mileage that it may well have gone the 2yrs each time. When was it last serviced? It will need another after 2yrs has elapsed, so as it's a 2002 car it should need another service this year.

I guess the seat bolster wear and shiny wheel could be caused by using the car for lots of short journeys around town.

Very difficult to judge the mileage on these cars - they do carry high mileage well. What's it like for stone chips etc?

It's a little bit surprising (based on your other comments about him) that he put no-name tyres on the car, but he may have gone to the local tyre place and not felt it worth splashing out £400+ on a brand name if he hardly uese the car.