'00 W220 crusty S320 - sell for scrap?

PurvesGrundy

As in the title, I have a 2000 Mercedes S320 V6 petrol that has no NCT or tax. It also has very visible rust on the corners of the doors and rear quarter panels. I was considering leaving it in to a dealer for an inspection under the corrosion warranty for a possible goodwill claim, but it does not possess a full history through the dealer network which would likely affect my case. Judging by the amount of rusty Merc's of that era on the roads also, it's probably bordering on the optimistic to expect them to even entertain the idea of a repair.

At present, I could not be bothered with the hassle of NCT'ing and advertising in a market where the guts of two grand for a tax disc just seals its fate. I contacted a breaker on DoneDeal who specialises in dismantling Merc's and he said he would give me 500 euro for it. Obviously, it would be with some reluctance to take the offer, as I hate to see a nice car meet its maker, particularly after having had a lot of money spent on it recently on a waterpump amongst other things. Aside from the rust, it has 200k km's and is not in too bad shape.

What do people think I should do. Should I bang it through the NCT and sell it privately or just take the more convenient option?

Stallingrad

Sorry to chuckle, but Merc goodwill on a 14 year old car with no FSH? Bodywork warranties usually require annual inspections. Tragic that a 14 year old S-class can fall so far in value.

bigroad

Its a shame to see a car like yours go to the breakers.
I would slap it through the nct for a bit of craic even and see what happens.
Unless our new minister for transport makes s radical change to the motortax system i am afraid the merc is near the end.Even to export to the uk costs a fair few bob.
There is always banger racing ,to give the beast its last run.

beauf

I think you have to accept its not a desirable car for the majority of people. You have to get in touch with those who are interested. If you can post some ads on S Class enthusiast forums, even vintage and DIY car forums see if anyone wants to take it on.

bigroad

You could try carandclassic .co.uk thats where i i sold one although it was ten years older then yours ,worth a try.
There are plenty of car transporters going to the uk empty so you could get a good deal on transport costs if there was any interest.

PurvesGrundy

Stallingrad wrote: »

Sorry to chuckle, but Merc goodwill on a 14 year old car with no FSH? Bodywork warranties usually require annual inspections. Tragic that a 14 year old S-class can fall so far in value.

It has Mercedes history for the first six years of its life and independent thereafter. I am aware of the annual bodywork inspections. It still doesn't excuse the significant amount of rust on a relatively modern prestige car.

Bigus

Stick it on donedeal, as is , for 999, and let somebody else export it

bigroad

You could also take the 3.2 out and put in a 2.5td.Engine,gearbox ,diff ,radiator and about 10 other things have to be changed and then it will be worth a fortune .

Guy:Incognito

You could pick up a lower mileage one, tested till next year without the rust issues in the UK for £2k. I don't think theres a goldmine a boat trip away waiting to be plundered for big money.

PurvesGrundy

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

You could pick up a lower mileage one, tested till next year without the rust issues in the UK for £2k. I don't think theres a goldmine a boat trip away waiting to be plundered for big money.

Who mentioned the word goldmine? The only reason export is in the equation is because that is the only market for it that really exists.

Stella Virgo

PurvesGrundy wrote: »

As in the title, I have a 2000 Mercedes S320 V6 petrol that has no NCT or tax. It also has very visible rust on the corners of the doors and rear quarter panels. I was considering leaving it in to a dealer for an inspection under the corrosion warranty for a possible goodwill claim, but it does not possess a full history through the dealer network which would likely affect my case. Judging by the amount of rusty Merc's of that era on the roads also, it's probably bordering on the optimistic to expect them to even entertain the idea of a repair.

At present, I could not be bothered with the hassle of NCT'ing and advertising in a market where the guts of two grand for a tax disc just seals its fate. I contacted a breaker on DoneDeal who specialises in dismantling Merc's and he said he would give me 500 euro for it. Obviously, it would be with some reluctance to take the offer, as I hate to see a nice car meet its maker, particularly after having had a lot of money spent on it recently on a waterpump amongst other things. Aside from the rust, it has 200k km's and is not in too bad shape.

What do people think I should do. Should I bang it through the NCT and sell it privately or just take the more convenient option?

i wud take his arm along with the cash ,nobody with half a brain would even think about putting that pile back on the road.take it before he drops it to 250....

PurvesGrundy

Stella Virgo wrote: »

i wud take his arm along with the cash ,nobody with half a brain would even think about putting that pile back on the road.take it before he drops it to 250....

Going to throw it on DungDeal first, if no one bites then I'll take the offer.

beauf

PurvesGrundy wrote: »

It has Mercedes history for the first six years of its life and independent thereafter. I am aware of the annual bodywork inspections. It still doesn't excuse the significant amount of rust on a relatively modern prestige car.

I'm open to correction but I thought it was common knowledge that Mercedes had a quality issue for a while in particular with rust. It took them a while to get back to the old standards.

visual

I don't think a FSH with dealer would have stopped the rust

It would have made the running cost more expensive being dealer serviced all those years but it still be a rust bucket.

Time for scrapping or lots of filler and paint

PurvesGrundy

beauf wrote: »

I'm open to correction but I thought it was common knowledge that Mercedes had a quality issue for a while in particular with rust. It took them a while to get back to the old standards.

Absolutely. Late 1990's to early 2000's, total rust buckets....

visual wrote: »

I don't think a FSH with dealer would have stopped the rust

It would have made the running cost more expensive being dealer serviced all those years but it still be a rust bucket.

Time for scrapping or lots of filler and paint

Well I'm very much of that train of thought also. An 'annual bodywork inspection' could not have prevented ****e rust protection.

ofcork

Hard to imagine someone paid 80 or 90k for that,for some reason some seem to age better than others or just looked after better.

Dord

ofcork wrote: »

Hard to imagine someone paid 80 or 90k for that,for some reason some seem to age better than others or just looked after better.

I've noticed that metallic painted Mercedes from around that time don't seem to be affected, or at least it's a lot less. From what I've heard, only the metallic colours had a clear coat.

Aside from that, some are just looked after better. If you don't leave it take hold and try remedy it then it won't be that bad, or will stay away for a while. That's been my experience. Although, thankfully on my Merc the front arches aren't affected as they're plastic. :pac:

OP, I'd take the 500 tbh.

beauf

I could be wrong but was there not talk of quality issues with the steels.

Does it really matter. If someone wants it you'll get a lot of interest. If not, then that is your answer.

PurvesGrundy

beauf wrote: »

I could be wrong but was there not talk of quality issues with the steels.

Does it really matter. If someone wants it you'll get a lot of interest. If not, then that is your answer.

Got a few calls already. Don't care if it doesn't sell at a grand, not taking any risk.

Bigus

PurvesGrundy wrote: »

Got a few calls already. Don't care if it doesn't sell at a grand, not taking any risk.

Stick to your asking prIce for a few days, don't take lower offers over the phone, only if they are in front of you with cash. Good luck .

bigroad

The rust issue was something to do with mercedes using cheap russian steel to build their cars about that time.

such a shame,always thought model S class was a very pretty car

Keep it it might turn into a classic in 10-15 years :P

PurvesGrundy

Bigus wrote: »

Stick to your asking prIce for a few days, don't take lower offers over the phone, only if they are in front of you with cash. Good luck .

Thanks very much, helpful advice.