Hi all

Jo&Steve

Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
24
Reaction score
0
Location
Crediton, Devon
Your Mercedes
2003 C320, 2005 L200 Animal
Hi, quick note to say hello :D

We're from just outside Exeter and are looking to buy our first Mercedes, we have been offered a 2003 C320 (petrol) with 140Kmiles on for £3800 - Seems a good deal as I have been told that the engine is pretty robust?

Thanks in advance for any advice,

Jo ;)
 

PeterCLK

Senior Member
Joined
May 14, 2008
Messages
707
Reaction score
2
Location
Cumbria
Your Mercedes
2012 204 Elegance saloon 220 cdi
Beautiful engine and just nicely run in.

Do a search on here for :-

1.Rust - around 2003 Mercedes started to galvanise the bodies - you need build date for this. With a bit of luck this will be galvanised but check wheel arches, boot lid etc.
There is a thread with more info.

2. Valeo radiator - if a valeo brand is fitted can be a potential problem. Again do a search on here as it has been discussed many times.

Not sure about the price as I am out of touch with these things.

Also, does it have a full service history?

Good luck with your purchase and let us know how you get on.

Peter
 

mercmadjim

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2008
Messages
547
Reaction score
2
Location
Cornwall
Your Mercedes
SLK230k
Hi, that seems a good bargain to me, but I am sure one of our trade members will confirm that.
 

jibcl500

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2005
Messages
6,420
Reaction score
8
Age
56
Location
Cambridgeshire
Your Mercedes
CL500,ML55,SLK280
Check for knocking, clonking and rattling from the front suspension, not expensive to fix but some parts can be expensive, take cash and dont pay anymore than £3200

jib
 
OP
J

Jo&Steve

Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
24
Reaction score
0
Location
Crediton, Devon
Your Mercedes
2003 C320, 2005 L200 Animal
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Thanks for the advice, there is some really small rust bubbles on the rear arches, will this be a big problem? We considered paying to have it removed but looking through some of the stories on here I'm worried that buying a Mercedes is a bit of a gamble where rust is concerened :confused::confused:
 

television

Always remembered RIP
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
Messages
164,073
Reaction score
367
Age
89
Location
Daventry
Your Mercedes
2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
Hello and welcome from me:D:D

The rear wheel arch rust is not cheap to fix, so do take car on the rust issue
 
OP
J

Jo&Steve

Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
24
Reaction score
0
Location
Crediton, Devon
Your Mercedes
2003 C320, 2005 L200 Animal
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Thanks Malcom, I'll make sure we have a good look in the light at all the rusty spots :smile: - why is it so expensive to repair? :confused:
 

teabag

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2009
Messages
705
Reaction score
0
Location
North East England
Your Mercedes
2001 W163 ML270 CDI
Thanks Malcom, I'll make sure we have a good look in the light at all the rusty spots :smile: - why is it so expensive to repair? :confused:
To do it properly you will need to replace the complete rear quarter panels (Wings) or it will rust again within a year.
 
OP
J

Jo&Steve

Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
24
Reaction score
0
Location
Crediton, Devon
Your Mercedes
2003 C320, 2005 L200 Animal
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Eeek :eek:
I think we'll steer clear of this one then!
Thanks for the heads up
Jo ;)
 

teabag

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2009
Messages
705
Reaction score
0
Location
North East England
Your Mercedes
2001 W163 ML270 CDI
If it has a full MB service history, you "may" be able to get it done under goodwill after you have had the car for 6 months.:rolleyes:
 

television

Always remembered RIP
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
Messages
164,073
Reaction score
367
Age
89
Location
Daventry
Your Mercedes
2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
If it has a full MB service history, you "may" be able to get it done under goodwill after you have had the car for 6 months.:rolleyes:

But they often rust again 2 years later
 

edz649

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2008
Messages
262
Reaction score
0
Location
1066 Country
Your Mercedes
SL600, 450 SEL
To do it properly you will need to replace the complete rear quarter panels (Wings) or it will rust again within a year.

Actually thats not quite true. I had the rust sorted on my 2001 E55 by an MB approved bodyshop nearly three years ago and there is absolutely no sign of the rust coming back and I have wide wheels that flick stones up on the arches all the time. The back arches were blasted back to bare metal. If its done 'properly' and I mean properly, you shouldn't have any issues later.
 

television

Always remembered RIP
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
Messages
164,073
Reaction score
367
Age
89
Location
Daventry
Your Mercedes
2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
Actually thats not quite true. I had the rust sorted on my 2001 E55 by an MB approved bodyshop nearly three years ago and there is absolutely no sign of the rust coming back and I have wide wheels that flick stones up on the arches all the time. The back arches were blasted back to bare metal. If its done 'properly' and I mean properly, you shouldn't have any issues later.

Yes and a fair point,,but we have had quite a few where it has come back
 

edz649

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2008
Messages
262
Reaction score
0
Location
1066 Country
Your Mercedes
SL600, 450 SEL
I guess it really depends on how good the bodyshop is. Anyone can fit a new wing to a Merc but as we all know its all in the preparation. If its not done properly the new wing will rust out in no time. If its done right then it should last for years. The same applies to the treatment of rust in panels that can't easily be replaced like rear quarters. If the rust is completely removed it shouldn't come back.

Perhaps I was just lucky!:D

IIRC, MB approved bodyshops give a 1 year guarantee on rust repairs and then MB give an additional year on top, so two years in total? Might be wrong...
 
OP
J

Jo&Steve

Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
24
Reaction score
0
Location
Crediton, Devon
Your Mercedes
2003 C320, 2005 L200 Animal
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #15
We have borrowed my mate's C320 for the weekend (I have some good friends ;) ) and have come upto Milton Keynes, drove lovely and I am well hooked already lol. Looking forward to getting one of my own soon :D
Steve
 

television

Always remembered RIP
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
Messages
164,073
Reaction score
367
Age
89
Location
Daventry
Your Mercedes
2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
We have borrowed my mate's C320 for the weekend (I have some good friends ;) ) and have come upto Milton Keynes, drove lovely and I am well hooked already lol. Looking forward to getting one of my own soon :D
Steve

And good luck,,there are some nice ones out there,and yes they are unlike any other car just so nice
 

turbopete

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2009
Messages
14,209
Reaction score
331
Age
48
Location
Spennymoor
Your Mercedes
2017 '17' Ford Mondeo 2.0TDCi ST Line X 180 (sorry)
por15 for rust. having done my arches with it, and still no sign of returning rust, i would recommend it to anyone now!
 

Avantgarde Automotive, Mercedes-Benz and SLR McLaren specialists. Service, repairs, diagnosis and motorsport preparation.
Unit 14 Hither Green Trading Estate, Clevedon, Somerset, BS21 6XU Tel: 01275 217270 Email:steve@avantgarde-automotive.co.uk
www.avantgarde-automotive.co.uk
Top Bottom