second hand E 240 questions

[jim57]

Hi I am about to buy a E 240 V6 elegance estate. The car is to be supplied by Mercedes Benz Direct. It is a 1999/T plate model, I think the price is fair (£16000) but the mileage is 65000 miles.
The car is being transported from elsewhere in the country so I havn't actually seen it. Should I be worried about the mileage? What should I look out for when I inspect the car? Do these cars have timing chains or other expensive costs that may be due? Any idea what bargaining points I may have, to reduce the price, and what are my chances considering I have put them to the expence of transporting it across the country?
TIA for any answers
Jim

 

[paulE230]

Check very very closely for rust bubbling especially on the tail gate.

Check out "corrossion" on the search faciltiy.

 

[jim57]

WOW Are these cars all rust buckets I have read the posts and I am seriously concerned, especially as I am in a wheelchair and will not be able to inspect the car as thoroughly as I would now like too. Is anybody out there pleased with the quality of there E 240 or do we expect the rust to come through eventually, after a relatively short time.
Jim

 

[VinRaj]

Dont worry about putting mercedes benz out to transport the car, thats what they are there for. The cars good for mileage although early 2.4 V6 engines had slightly excessive oil thirst,

 

[steveperry]

Dont worry about putting mercedes benz out to transport the car, thats what they are there for. The cars good for mileage although early 2.4 V6 engines had slightly excessive oil thirst,

If it's a '99 on a T, might it be one of the first 2.6 V6 units labelled as a '240'?

I didn't realise the 2.4 V6 had a reputation for oil thirst... I knew about the old inline-6 2.8 units habbit of leaking oil.

When you take the car for a test drive, once the engine is fully warmed up then make sure the gear changes are silky smooth, if there's any lumpiness or snatching in the changing, that could indicate dodgy gearbox. The electronic 5 speed units have had some bad press for reliability issues. Again you can search the board

Personally, I like the 2.4 V6 unit, very reliable with a reasonable amount of pep.

 

[jim57]

The plot thickens. Despite your good advice I had the car test driven
(im in a wheelchair). it felt great drove great. I bargained for money off because of less than perfect alloy wheels and signed the deal. I went for one last check and found the dreaded rust around the tailgate lock. I was gutted but just pointed it out. I am due to pick up the car on Wednesday. I guess I can only see if they have touched it up. The anoying thing is that when I mentioned about rust to the manager of the shop he said Mercedes don't rust have you ever seen a merc with rust, had I seen it earlier I could have said yes you are trying to sell me one. I really like the car but to make it affordable I really have to keep it 5 to 6 years or more and now i'm not sure if it will deteriate quicker than expected. Thanks for reading my moans.
Jim

 

[jaymanek]

If it is a MB dealer, they have to honour the 30 year corrosion warranty and repaint the whole area.

Makesure they do a proper job.


Jay

 

[dieselman]

Jim

Before you drive the car away check for rust in the following areas.

Tailgate, both around the pushbutton and along the bottom seam inside.

Door tops behind the rubber seals. You need to pull the seals right back to expose the metal channel they fit into.

Door exteriors where the door protection strip rests on the paintwork, especially the rear of the rear door trims.

Bonnet, inside at the lead edge where the panel meets the frame.

Inner wings inside the bonnet reveal.

Radiator support panel.

Front spring locations.

Rear wheel arches.

Check all these areas thoroughly, in fact refuse to take the car until the bodyshop manager has checked all these areas for you.

If there is any rust you should be entitled to reject the car as it is not as described, or claim from MB and they will fit new panels.

Do not accept re-paint of any double skinned areas i.e. doors, bonnet, tailgate.

Unfortunately I was recently shown a demonstration of how brand new panels for MB cars are not galvanised!! One chip and they rust.

 

[jim57]

My wife went to Mercedes direct yesterday to give insurance details for road tax and the saleswomen said they are going to repaint the damaged area I don't know if this is going to be just the lock area or the whole of the tailgate. Either way is this unacceptable should the tailgate panel be replaced?
Jim

 

[dieselman]

That depends on wheter the rust started from chips to the paint from the outside or whether it started on the inside and is now becoming visible around the lock.

Have the whole car checked and reported back to you. If any of the rust is from the inside insist on new panels. MB will honor claims for inside-out rust. Life can get tricky if the car has already been re-painted, so insist on a claim and new panels.

 

[jim57]

Thanks for all your replies and good advice. I bought the car and I am very pleased with it. I think they must have repaired the lock but I cannot see any trace of repair. I checked all the other areas mentioned and all appears well. I am now looking forward to driving it, the hand controls can not be fitted till next Thursday.
Jim