Just purchased a C240 Sport (first MB)

[stevesey]

Ather 21 years as a VX owner (every model of Cav/Vectra) - I've treated myself.

See here Advert - paid £3695 + knacked Vectra.

Car is very clean - just the very initial (traditional) sign of rust around the boot lock and the number plate light trim/handle bit - so will strip down and sort these whilst most is hidden behind the trim/seals.

Service book is all stamped up, but no invoices - will contact garage who did the last few to see if they have records. Will be looking to do ATF, Oil, Coolant, Brake Fluid and Spark Plug changes over the next few weeks/months to ensure is up to scratch and make a baseline for future services.

I'm in Bristol/Bath, apart from Parkway Automotive, anyone reccommend a local specialist (oo offer and opinion on Parkway)

Cheers

Steve

 

[tintin]

Looks like a nice car - and, presuming your Vectra wasn't worth much, seems like a pretty good deal.

 

[jberks]

Very nice motor. The 240 engine is a honey. One of the nicest looking Mercs ever built IMO.

Plugs should have been done at 60k and if so, they'll be fine for a while yet.
My experience is that most 240 plug leads are well past their best. Having had mine mine from new and done no mileage, I could spot the degradation (dealer and 2 mechanics couldn't and said it was normal) and in my experience they start to go south at around 4 years. So if idle is anything other than silky - pop a new set on - you may be amazed at the difference.
Ask your dealer about the rust around the boot lock. It was caused by a manufacturing defect which is why most rust there. Dodgy seal allegedly. Anyway, well worth asking if MB would like to fix it for you. The worst they can say is no.

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Hi mate,
that looks like a very good price!! you seem to be aware o fmost of the pitfalls take a very close look at the paintwork. Mine is a 98 clk they appear to be susceptable to stone chipping that goes through to the steel. Also look at sharp corners of panels, the clear laquer is the weather barrier not the paint............
PM me (I've tried to email u but system wont allow) I'll give you the phone number of the guy I use in Fishponds, Sole Trader, Merc' Trained, general good lad.
While on the subject of Rust mine has just come back from the Merc' approved Body Shop to have the usual suspects rust treated & resprayed
at no small cost I should add, the wheel arches have been bent or formed up into a Vee Shape instead of a L anybody got any thoughts on this?
Teddy Bear

 

[stevesey]

Thanks Teddy Bear - have e-mailed.

Wheel arches are clean on my car - being an VX owner I'm used to dodgy rear arches on Cavaliers and Astras - one of my anuual service tasks used to be to get in the boot, remove some trim and squirt oil towards the wheel arch seams. Simple, but effective (sounds like it's work doing on the Merc).

Also drove a 98 C240 "AMG" (just badges and wheels) yesterday that had far to many stone chips with spiders webs (of rust) trailing our from them. Car had done 75K, but 50K in the first two years. I suspect a lot of these chips were collected in those first two years and never treated - serves as a good reminder of the importance of keeping on top of them (especially if, as you say, they easily go right though to the metal).

Cheers

Steve