Second hand car: Engine makes a whirring noise

Trumple

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Hey all,
My dad has decided to buy a different car to the one he has now, and he has found a Mercedes C180 '02 reg for sale at £6500

First of all I would like to ask if you think this is a good deal..they seem quite rare and we can't seem to find any others with the same specs as this!

Secondly, is a noticable whirring/whine noise from the engline normal? Having never owned a mercedes before, we were a little surprised when we started the engine to hear a loud (but not so loud) whirring noise from the engine.
The seller nor my dad are too clued up on engines, and so we dont really know what the noise is, and the seller didnt seem to know when the noise started or if indeed it had always been that way...

Anyway thanks alot for your help, any sugguestions would be appreciated :D
 
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teddycatkin

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Trumble --Be wary -plenty of these about --Very nice one in Stockport now on Ebay a 2001-with only 35k on clock £4.500 ?--The whirring could just be the electric fan kicking in due to this hot weather ?
 

jberks

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If you're buying from a private seller with no warranty I'd always get it checked out, even if there are no odd sounds.
Whirr could be nothing more than the drive belt and perfectly normal. As most mercs don't make that tinny rattle noise that euro boxes do, you're often left with a nice whine or whirr from fans and drivebelts.
Anyway, Price sounds a bit high to me but it does hinge on condition and history.
So,
1) does it have a full dealer/specialist history?
2) as you don't know much about them, get it checked out by a local specialist or the AA before parting with any cash. If the car is genuine, there is no reason for a seller to argue. It could be the best £100-£200 you ever spend.
 

Miffy

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as above, I suggest you stear clear. if you knew what was wrong and was prepared for the repair costs then fine, but it doesnt sound like you are so unless you find its something silly, leave well alone
 

nickcc101

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Sounds like timing chain noise. Should be ok, similar noise on mine when sticking your head too close to the timing chain cover. Noise goes when you close bonnet.
 
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Trumple

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Thanks for the help guys. I have a fear it could be the gearbox after searching through these forums. The car is in perfect condition apart from one nick on the alloys. There is another one for sale from a shop, which is alot more expensive at 14 grand, but it is an auto, which isnt really what we want.... I think we'll go and see how that one sounds, the sound is a bit like the one from a mini cooper if you've ever heard that....
Once again thanks for the replies
 

turbopete

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if your looking at a manual car, the price is way over the top in my opinion. an auto would be worth around £1000 more and would still struggle to make thatlevel of money in the current climate!
 

jberks

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it is an auto, which isnt really what we want

Yes you do want an auto, you just don't realise it yet !
Auto is just better in every way. Drive a merc auto and you'll be convinced.
Everyone I know is moving away from manuals now - They just don't make sense any more. Traffic is too bad and manuals are just too much like hard work, and autos are so good these days that any percieved downside is no longer true.
I know people who are regretting buying manuals - I don't know anyone who is regretting an auto.
 

turbopete

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to be honest, im still the other way. yes the auto is great in town, but im a country boy at heart and even after a year with an auto, i still find myself wanting to change gears etc as the auto isnt programmed the same way my brain is! if my auto box went wrong, id seriously look into converting it to manual! this situation may change if i ever buy a car with a "tiptronic" type auto box when im still in control of when the changes occur and i can hold gears for engine braking, short shift for economy etc, but at this point, id still opt for a manual personally, even though the merc manual box is a bit notchy!
 

roofless

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is it a c180 KOMPRESSOR ???
 

turbopete

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does the noise go away if the clutch is pressed? could just be the release bearing
 
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Trumple

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Thanks again for the responses...
Thing is all driving tests must be taken in a manual now, and so manuals still make sense IMO...
But anyway, i'm really not sure what to do now....
There is a 2008 C180 Kompressor auto with leater seats and everything for 12,000....same milage though (48K)
Agh now im really stuck.....you all seem to think its overpriced and now I dont know!
:confused:
 

teddycatkin

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Go for the best you can afford --I agree with others once having driven an auto you would never get a manual by choice- but be aware with the 2008 -the more you pay now means the more you loose in depreciation--? assume a 50 percent loss in say 2 years time ?
 

Dosco

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Agh now im really stuck.....you all seem to think its overpriced and now I dont know!
:confused:

Price is always relative, what seems fine to you will never seem fine to some one else, only you can make the call and if the potential purchase is what you want and it ticks all the boxes then it is 'seemple' until of course you see another that also ticks all the boxes and is CHEAPER - then 'seemple' it is not - unless you have already paid the higher price then other words and emotions come into play:(
 

turbopete

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.
Thing is all driving tests must be taken in a manual now, and so manuals still make sense IMO...

:confused:

not strictly correct. if you pass your test in a manual, you can drive an auto, however if you pass in an auto, you need to re take your test in a manual or fit l plates and have a co driver etc again. if you could only take your test in a manual, there would be few, if any disabled drivers, and their car is often their only form of freedom. another point our car hating government seems to keep forgetting every time they hike up fuel duty! and , yes i do have people in wheelchairs etc in my family. thats why it annoys me so much!
 
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Trumple

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not strictly correct. if you pass your test in a manual, you can drive an auto, however if you pass in an auto, you need to re take your test in a manual or fit l plates and have a co driver etc again. if you could only take your test in a manual, there would be few, if any disabled drivers, and their car is often their only form of freedom. another point our car hating government seems to keep forgetting every time they hike up fuel duty! and , yes i do have people in wheelchairs etc in my family. thats why it annoys me so much!

I think the laws have recently changed (from what I heard) You usd to be able to pass in an auto but now you must pass in a manual, they have taken away the option of an auto for those with no disabilities
Anyway thanks again for the help
 

djb

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I think the laws have recently changed (from what I heard) You usd to be able to pass in an auto but now you must pass in a manual, they have taken away the option of an auto for those with no disabilities
Anyway thanks again for the help


no the law has not changed, take test in auto, can only drive auto.

most good driving schools offer auto tuition. see half way downpage re auto

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_4022547
 


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