Off to view an S204, what to look for?

[AMGeed]

It's in Leeds. I'm a Southern softy. Will I need my big coat?

Being serious, its a long trip tomorrow (5+ hrs by train there) and just asking if there are any specific things to look out for on a 59plate c180k petrol.
I've read a fair bit about the problematic M271 timing chain issue. How will I know the one I'm looking at has a worn one?
Noisy start up and rattle that doesn't go away?
Anything else to be concerned about?
It's a stop gap but need it to keep me on the road for a year or so.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

A link to the advert is always useful for comment

 

[AMGeed]

A link to the advert is always useful for comment

Quite right.

Its this one. Overpriced but hope to get a bit off. Valuations still all over the place.
FMDSH and 12m MOT. Serviced 3k miles ago.

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[JBell]

Looks OK, basic spec though

 

[AMGeed]

Looks OK, basic spec though

I agree. And the lack of heated seats and sat nav is disappointing.

There is a far cheaper one with a great spec list nr Bristol but the wheels have been trashed.
I wonder about the rest of it.

 

[JBell]

I agree. And the lack of heated seats and sat nav is disappointing.

There is a far cheaper one with a great spec list nr Bristol but the wheels have been trashed.
I wonder about the rest of it.

Wheels are an easy fix, all depends on service history for me

 

[JBell]

Shame the one you are looking at isn't a CGi, must have been just before they changed the engine

 

[A.J.]

You are going to hate that car Roger. That is going feel so slow after an E63. The car itself from the pictures looks quite sharp but do bear in mind that dealer has probably paid about £3,500 for that so be hard with him

 

[AMGeed]

Shame the one you are looking at isn't a CGi, must have been just before they changed the engine

Yes I've seen a few CGi engines from around 2011?

 

[AMGeed]

You are going to hate that car Roger. That is going feel so slow after an E63. The car itself from the pictures looks quite sharp but do bear in mind that dealer has probably paid about £3,500 for that so be hard with him

So true. The two cars don't bear comparison.
Life in the slow lane for me for a while

 

[PaulG]

So true. The two cars don't bear comparison.
Life in the slow lane for me for a while

Safe journey ne I hope it all goes well tomorrow. The car in the advert looks tidy and if it is ok should do you well for the time you need it BUT as A.J. alluded the difference will be very noticeable.

 

[AMGeed]

Safe journey ne I hope it all goes well tomorrow. The car in the advert looks tidy and if it is ok should do you well for the time you need it BUT as A.J. alluded the difference will be very noticeable.

I got myself prepared for the downgrade by driving the wife's 1.4 Kio Rio around today.
Functional but so zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[SL63 Mark]

I sometimes alternate between the SL63 and the 2012 Defender. It's just a completely different way of driving. The Defender you conduct, the SL you drive.

It's fine, no problem. Once you get used to the slower car. Lack of acceleration has never bothered me - you sit up high and survey the world. Brakes and handling are not great, so just potter along. No problem.

 

[Blobcat]

Gearbox will be 7G, not 7G+ so no stop start which is a benefit. Although not as smooth as the + and economy not as good.

Have you looked at a C280 or C350? The M272 engine is economic enough (compared to where you’re coming from…) and will most likely be better specced toy wise…

 

[SL63 Mark]

This ^^. You'll never regret a few more horses.

 

[AMGeed]

Gearbox will be 7G, not 7G+ so no stop start which is a benefit. Although not as smooth as the + and economy not as good.

Have you looked at a C280 or C350? The M272 engine is economic enough (compared to where you’re coming from…) and will most likely be better specced toy wise…

I am looking at an 11 plate C250 CGi on Wednesday.
Not sure if that is the 1.8lt turbo but still an M271 ??

 

[AMGeed]

Today turned into an utter waste of time and money, for me.
After leaving Poole Dorset at 7 45am, changing trains in London and just leaving Doncaster around 12 30pm, the manager of the garage is on the phone to me.
" We were going to take the car for an MOT this morning but the car won't go into reverse. Mechanic says its a hydraulic failure."

I was pretty annoyed that I called at 10 30am yesterday asking if the car was still available, was all the paperwork in order, new MOT, service history and V5.
"Yes, all here" lied the salesman.
I had to tell the manager that he should have taken the car for an MOT yesterday when the fault could possibly have been dealt with and I'd have been non the wiser. If it couldn't be fixed before I arrived, let me know before I caught the damn train!
As it stood, I had no interest in the car any longer. I also thanked him for leaving me £160 out of pocket for the rail fares.

So back home at 9 45pm after a wasted day.
What I saw of Leeds was quite nice outside the station and the main street. Furthest North in the UK I've ever been. Got to thank him for that. Also, beer in the station bar is cheaper than in a pub in Poole/Bournemouth. I did have a couple whilst I waited for the train back to Kings Cross.
I'll stick a couple of pics up of the day when I'm not so tired.

 

[A.J.]

Today turned into an utter waste of time and money, for me.
After leaving Poole Dorset at 7 45am, changing trains in London and just leaving Doncaster around 12 30pm, the manager of the garage is on the phone to me.
" We were going to take the car for an MOT this morning but the car won't go into reverse. Mechanic says its a hydraulic failure."

I was pretty annoyed that I called at 10 30am yesterday asking if the car was still available, was all the paperwork in order, new MOT, service history and V5.
"Yes, all here" lied the salesman.
I had to tell the manager that he should have taken the car for an MOT yesterday when the fault could possibly have been dealt with and I'd have been non the wiser. If it couldn't be fixed before I arrived, let me know before I caught the damn train!
As it stood, I had no interest in the car any longer. I also thanked him for leaving me £160 out of pocket for the rail fares.

So back home at 9 45pm after a wasted day.
What I saw of Leeds was quite nice outside the station and the main street. Furthest North in the UK I've ever been. Got to thank him for that. Also, beer in the station bar is cheaper than in a pub in Poole/Bournemouth. I did have a couple whilst I waited for the train back to Kings Cross.
I'll stick a couple of pics up of the day when I'm not so tired.

When I was working in the Vehicle Contract Hire industry I used to go to Leeds every Tuesday, the Company I worked for had an office on Roundhay Road just next door to Tesco's. There are many not so nice parts of Leeds like Chapeltown for example, Roundhay Road was a bit iffy in places too but that of course touched on Chapelfields. There are also some very nice parts of Leeds like the Victorian Quarter. One of the strangest things was the Filling Station in the middle of a roundabout at the bottom of Eastgate, I don't know whether it is still there, somehow I doubt it.

Sorry you had a wasted trip Roger, very frustrating but it could have saved you from a whole world of pain.

Good luck with your continued search

 

[Blobcat]

I am looking at an 11 plate C250 CGi on Wednesday.
Not sure if that is the 1.8lt turbo but still an M271 ??

Yes M271, being 2011 it could have 5G box as they changed to 7G in 2011.

I’m in Scotchland on the bike otherwise I’d have met you. If you’ve anymore to see at this end please let me know, happy to have a look for you or meet you.

 

[DSK]

That is a horrid experience but, goes to show typically what the ethics of most used car places are like, polished up sheds on a forecourt.

The positive is that you dodged a bullet with that car and trader. Better £160 down rather than ongoing headaches.

Does it have to be C lass as a stop gap?


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