635CSI Highline Values

AndyS wrote: Shem wrote: On the contary, I think ebay is an excellent way to find a car. Compare it for instance with auto trader. On auto trader you get a postage stamp of a photo and about 20 words. Hmmm. Good point but what if the car doesn't look as good in the flesh - poor respray etc. What if you find some fault that the owner doesn't know about - can you renegotiate the price are you bound by your original bid?

Well the ebay rules regarding binding contract etc. must be predicated on the item being described accurately. If you turn up and find a dodgy respray when the description stated otherwise, regardless of whether the seller claims knowledge or not, then the so called contract is on dodgy ground. I think it is unlikely that ebay would step in and enforce a sale!

The way I look at it (IMHO) I would have the right to negotiate or walk away.

 

Horsetan wrote: AndyS wrote: Must admit I just don't get this whole Ebay car buying thing. Buy a car you haven't seen from a bloke you've never met with no come back what so ever???.... I'll have you know there was nothing wrong with the Jetta. It had even had the Weber carb conversion - the buyer bought it partly on the strength of that (the original Pierburg with auto-choke was a pile o' sh**e)

Ah the delightful pierburg carb's hey? i had one on my 316 and your description ivan is spot on! Sorry to go off topic

Andy,

Good point you make any car looks good with a bit of polish in a photo but surely you buy with knowledge, you can still get an engineers report on an ebay car( time allowing) and you can also take out a private warranty . I bought my 635 on ebay , I knew from the excelent knowledge here and big coupes what to look for. I researched the vehicle's history . Decided what I wanted to pay and got it for £600 less. I admit I have been lucky but the £600 was the security for this .

I have been to showrooms to find a car for sale covered in the silicone rubbish they cover them in. You cant see the scratches or chips with this on the car. 6 years ago I bought a 540 from an extremely reputable dealership paying over the odds for it, a green flag inspection stated it was perfect except for needing front disks , 6 days later it was diagnosed as needing a new engine !

I think it is a lottery buying a car and you have to trust your judgement and any expert advice you can grab. You pays your money and makes your choice.

AndyS wrote: Must admit I just don't get this whole Ebay car buying thing. Buy a car you haven't seen from a bloke you've never met with no come back what so ever???....

I'll have you know there was nothing wrong with the Jetta. It had even had the Weber carb conversion - the buyer bought it partly on the strength of that (the original Pierburg with auto-choke was a pile o' sh**e)

On the contary, I think ebay is an excellent way to find a car.

Compare it for instance with auto trader. On auto trader you get a postage stamp of a photo and about 20 words.

On ebay you can have 10 high res photos of the car and loads of description. You also get the chance to email and ask questions and see the answer to questions other buyers have posted.

Regardless of what the rules are supposed to be the reality is that you bid to agree a price based on the description. You then turn up to view the car and assuming the car meets the description you pay your money. If it doesn't meet the description in a quantifiable way then you either negoiate or walk away. If the seller wants to flame you on feedback then the same applies back again. You merely state that the car was not as described and good luck to the seller next time!

You also get the opportunity to view in advance if you are really keen.

So yes there is no protection for the buyer but this is no different to any other private type sale. If you want come back then buy from a dealer.

 

phb10186 wrote: Nobody in their right mind would buy a car off ebay...

Funny, that. I sold our 1989 VW Jetta GL on e-Bay..... Clearly there was someone who wanted it bad enough

The wiring problem is quite common as are other
running problems. The E280 is just the same. Merc
build quality seemed to take a real dive in around
1994 when the C class took over from the 190E
which was a good old bus.
I'd go for a nice J plate 12v 300CE, which at present
is very undervalued. But maybe it's better that way.
Why pay £8000 when you can pay £3500?

Later ones were not very well built (just like the C
Class) - worn seats and rust (mainly front wings) are
major issues and the later engines have problems
as well as a lot of electrical problems. This comes
from an independent MB mechanic. The early cars
were just better made and more fixable - and better
looking. Probably the last of the proper Mercs as
opposed to a Renault with a nice badge which is
what post '94 Mercs are.
The 24v was a good motor, but they made both at the
same time. The 12v is also a good motor and
almost unbreakable. It can trace it's roots back to the
old 300SE fintail of the late fifties and the 300SL
Gullwings before that although no parts swap over.
The 300E was also a great car but the engine didn't
really gel in the W126 S Class 300SE. That car
needed a V8, period.
The 230CE is a surprisingly good car as well with
very good performance - and they're really quiet and
refined at speed.

AndyS wrote: In isolation the new six isn't bad looking or even in company with contempory BMWs - put an E24 next to it though (as I did!) & oh dear!

Exactly. When the new 6 was launched I got an invite
to the local dealers. Two new Sixes plus a mint
gloss black 1989 Highline Auto. Odd how the old
one got more attention - perhaps the Eighties were
the good old days for BMW after all?

I've had a couple of occasions where I could have
driven a new M5 but have never had the time or
inclination for whatever reason.
Offer me an E28 M5 and you'll be beating me around
the head with a tyre lever to get the keys back.


Ivan - I know exactly what you mean about the CL
rear C pillar design. It apes the 220SE Coupes from
1961-72 which has to be one of the most gorgeous
cars ever made. I still think they are criminally
undervalued for what they are - like the E Type
Jaguar, the soft tops cost so much more and look so
much worse without their beautiful rooflines. A nice
280SE 3.5 Coupe is worth about £15'000 I think.
As for CL electronics - well I'm not so sure. As cars
get more complex, more and more ways are devised
to get around it. With the advent of Autologic and a
decent auto electrician they won't be too bad. They
will always be an expensive car to maintain but
unlike the old W126 SEC;s you won't have rust to
deal with. Like the W126 Coupes also, you will have
your pick of scrap S Class saloons in 10 years time
to rob for mechanical and electrical bits!
Mercedes CE Coupe - yes, a nice pre facelift 300CE
(E-J reg) in standard condition (maybe just a 30 mm
suspension drop) in a dark metallic colour. Very nice
indeed and quite rapid as a 24v. One of those cars
which in standard condition will never look chavvy.

The build quality woes stem from the C and old E
Class. I saw an S plate C Class Estate yesterday
with rust in every panel. They're like a Mondeo only
not as well made.

Drew540i wrote: ....As for £15'000 SEC's - good luck! The current CL500's are around £22'000 at the moment and in a couple of years will be £15'000. As lovely as the old SEC was, it's not a patch on the CL which has to be the best looking Merc ever made......

The CL seems to have some styling cues from the mid-60s Fintails.... rear windscreen angles I'm thinking of.....