60% loss on S124: Another BaHaT disappointment?

[gsxr]

Guy buys this Feb-2022 for ~$18k with fees, plus transport or driving from MD to NC. Seems like a decent deal with allegedly $12k in work done Dec-2021, however the invoice could be fictional - no evidence of payment, no details, no part numbers, looked fishy to me. Then, New Owner proceeds to invest another ~$12k in repairs at the dealer over the next year or two... total ~$30k sunk, and 6kmi added.

Then, New Owner dumps the car for $12k (60% loss!).

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1994-mercedes-benz-e320-wagon-8/

The dealer invoice was cringe-worthy. One complaint was an ATF leak (June 2023, pic 161+163). The dealer diagnosed this as a leaking trans pan gasket. I mean, seriously, when has a 722.3 leak ever actually been the pan gasket? Yup, sure enough, ONE MONTH later it's back at the dealer with the transmission still leaking (invoice on pics 165-167). This time they pull the transmission out and replace B1+B2 cover seals. But they don't reseal the rest of the transmission while it was out! OMG! At least they replaced the rear main seal.

 

[a777fan]

That rust in the corners of the rear 3/4 windows doesn’t look fun to address.

 

[duuder]

i didnt dig too much into the listings but its not very hard spend 12 racks on a W124. not gonna lie, i hate myself sometimes for the money ive spent on my 500E and i only started keeping receipts recently and have always paid in cash

i have receipts like this and another one like this somewhere w/ no prices as my mechanic was helping me out when someone stole my catalytic converter on my prius

 

[2phast]

FWIW, its only a matter of time till the electronic horn buttons in that airbag burn out, if the new owner is lucky, the horn will just not work, but most likely, when they go, the horn gets stuck on. As a community service message to the new owner, know ahead of time where the fuse for your horn is ;-)

 

[SVH]

That rust in the corners of the rear 3/4 windows doesn’t look fun to address.

No fun but feels great once its corrected and off the list. "Been there, done that"

 

[svhamelly]

The proper way to have bought this car would have been to take the $17k winning bid and SUBTRACT the $12k in repairs (fictional or otherwise) and that would have been the right price.