My S212 E Class Estate with 190k miles... part 2!

[malcolm E53 AMG]

#35 above covers for this but hopefully the seller will surprise us all and contribute but in the event that he doesn’t the maths still work out reasonable well.

 

[keefysher]

True, then a mug like me comes along...



Yes, that is kind of along the lines I am thinking alright. The costs associated with the high mileage related repairs (suspension, leak, NOX) come in at 2200 for all OEM parts and a West London mechanic...I regard the other list of items as something I would probably still need to do at a 100k car to be frank.

I think there is potential room for manoeuvre on the 2200 figure too as I intend to shop about. The jury is out on whether I will be buying OEM parts for this.. there is an element of bangernomics on this and total cost of ownership will take a significant hit with the cost of OEM.



Oh true that, I haven't been driving the car now, because the near side rear suspension is pretty bust to be honest. The dealer is currently on the other side of the world and returns in Feb. But is engaging via email and keen to get the car to him when he returns.

I'm trying to be human and not badger him while on hols so i've kind of parked the issue for a few days until nearer his return date.

I'm sure I saw him flying off on his hols earlier this week. I was somewhat amazed to see a flying pig take off from Blackbushe airfield (just by where the supposed dealer operates).

Who communicates by email on their holidays? It's a holiday. This guy is not some corporate exec who is constantly plugged in. What are the timestamps on the emails? Do they match where he is on holidays? Your money probably paid for the holiday so don't hold your breath to get any back.

I don't share your optimism.

Work out your exposure, then give JBell the figure and see what he finds for you. A quick scan of your threads shows you paid £5500 for the car. How much for the 2 inspections? The cost of repairs, £2200? I'd wager there are some better cars out there for your expenditure.

If you'd wanted a doer upper, you'd have bought one for pennies, not £5.5k, surely.

 

[Conor]

I'm sure I saw him flying off on his hols earlier this week. I was somewhat amazed to see a flying pig take off from Blackbushe airfield (just by where the supposed dealer operates).

Who communicates by email on their holidays? It's a holiday. This guy is not some corporate exec who is constantly plugged in. What are the timestamps on the emails? Do they match where he is on holidays? Your money probably paid for the holiday so don't hold your breath to get any back.

I don't share your optimism.

Work out your exposure, then give JBell the figure and see what he finds for you. A quick scan of your threads shows you paid £5500 for the car. How much for the 2 inspections? The cost of repairs, £2200? I'd wager there are some better cars out there for your expenditure.

If you'd wanted a doer upper, you'd have bought one for pennies, not £5.5k, surely.

£220 for MB inspection (wasted, I think) + £150 for Klasse (that included 2ltrs oil topup).

That cost of £2200 is for a genuine airmatic bag (700), but I am thinking to get Aerosus, in fact, I am planning on getting all aftermarket parts (carefully) for this car, for the most part, to help with the economics. I think that £2200 can be taken to about £1500 without doing that math.

Aside from that there are other bits that need doing, but as JBell has pointed out, everybody has those expenses so I don't really factor them.

Also, I guess there are categories of doer uppers and I don't think this is on the pennies end of the spectrum. I mean the engine has been looked after pretty well in fairness and the car is in pretty decent nick. I would expect a pennies doer upper to require outlay on cosmetics to get right also.

Also, for what it's worth - part of this exercise, is me putting my money where my mouth is.. i've often ranted that cars like that will go on for quite a while and now i'm running that experiment, and to be frank, i'm enjoying all of this and learning loads about cars in the process. I also wanted the bigger engine in petrol too so that put a bit of haste on the purchase, but not regretting it. Yet lol.

I'm in Italy this weekend and asked the driver of an S211 at the airport taxi rank what his clock showed and it was 480k -km, I never asked if it was petrol or diesel (probably diesel) :facepalm

I hope people aren't picking me up the wrong way here.. I'm not on here whinging that things aren't rosy and the "too good to be true" worked out to be just that. I went in with a high expectation of this kind of thing and happy to play the game. If all comes to all, I can write off a bulk of this and move, but obviously I would much rather not too. I'm just updating you all as I think there was significant interest in this.

 

[Conor]

By the way, i've seen various threads on here about "WIS".. I wonder how I would get the tech sheets etc for my car and what I need to provide to get that? :wink

 

[LostKiwi]

By the way, i've seen various threads on here about "WIS".. I wonder how I would get the tech sheets etc for my car and what I need to provide to get that? :wink

You can buy 'WIS' on eBay..

 

[JBell]

ECP do the Aerosus bags for £599 each

https://www.eurocarparts.com/air-suspension

If you put the code WEEKEND37 in it takes them down to £377.99 BUT you only have until midnight tomorrow to do it for that price

 

[John Laidlaw]

Aerosus direct seem to be £177 each at the moment ?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I admire your pragmatism Conor you certainly seem to be going into this with your eyes open as a MB virgin so as to speak. It’s a much easier learning curve on the marque to buy an old C Class and run that as opposed to a modern E Class, understanding the technology and parts prices are the main barrier to running these cars to high miles but if a car has been cared for you stand a better chance of doing so. At least you haven’t jumped into the fire and bought a cheap 230 SL500 now there’s another dimension of cost

 

[Conor]

Hi guys,

Just a quick update on this. I have been doing the research into what needs doing: what is a service item, wear and tear and warranty item.

I had an MOT and it failed on the suspension (expected) but no other advisories etc. I have concluded that the NOX sensors in the exhaust do not need doing either (certainly not under warranty).

For the warranty, I believe I have reasonably come up with the engine leak and air suspension as items that have recourse. The dealer has agreed to pay £250 towards parts/fitting on this front, which was a result of some negotiation. I don't think it's too bad and am happy with the outcome - if he actually pays, that is.

Apart from the above. The other outstanding items are a service which is nearing due but not there yet. A previous indy said the spark plugs needed doing but according to the manual intervals, they don't need doing yet.

All in all, I thin everything is in order and the pocket won't be getting too much of a whack - at least not any more so than what would be normal on a lower mileage example.

For now, I think things are looking up. Fingers crossed.

Quick Question: Can I ask about the A/B Services -- is the quoted price from a garage mainly just labour and the parts or extra, as needed? What parts (if any) are included in those fixed service prices?

Again, thanks to you guys for your continued support and advice

 

[AMGeed]

^ Glad to hear you are closer to some kind of mutual agreement Conor.
Lets hope the dealer keeps to his word and coughs up the agreed £250.

Regarding A and B services. the price quoted by the dealer should be the total labour and parts inc VAT. Anything outside of the scheduled work is usually extra and agreed beforehand.

Indies don't usually take much notice of A and B service routines and just do what is needed by mileage/time at the point of the service. A standard oil/filter change can be quoted beforehand to get an idea and any extra work you require priced accordingly.

Not sure what part of London you have as your location, but the first thing I would be doing is finding a good indy like Terry at Wayne Gates in Harrow, or Alex Foti at Dartford and getting the work done there. OEM parts will be used and you are sure of a proper job.

Keep us up to date with the progress.

 

[Conor]

Cash is now in my account

Thanks for the recs? With these Indys am I forced to use OEM parts all the time? For example, I would like to go with the Aerosus air suspension as they are much much cheaper than the OEM versions and have great reports.

I generally usually go for the best of everything but I would like to have the option to make assessments on cost/benefit as I got and not work with a dealer who won't allow reputable aftermarket parts.

 

[AMGeed]

Both of those indies I suggested above would be happy to fit Aerosus parts.

 

[John Laidlaw]

+ 1 - most indies are using Aerosus or Arnott I’m sure but they will probably advise genuine oem on other ( consumable) parts where possible - however you’re the customer so if you want something else within reason I’m sure they will do that

 

[Conor]

Cool, thanks guys. I've pinged Alex in Dartford as I like the distance for a nice cruise - I don't get much cruising in London :/

 

[Kersidan]

+1 for Aerosus parts. I had two new Aerosus bags fitted to my S212 a few weeks ago. These can be obtained direct from Aerosus for circa £320 pair using a discount code etc. I was quoted circa £850 pair from MB. My Indie was very impressed by the Aerosus quality to the point the he'd be happy to recommend them to others as an alternative to genuine MB parts. Aerosus also to ancillary components, compressor, valve block etc.

Mark