Originally Posted by shertex

Trolling Craigslist, found this:

1998 mercedes turbo diesel, parts car,

So thought I'd call just out of curiosity. Car has 220k, all mechanicals are good, interior and exterior are fine. Owner got in the car one day and it just wouldn't go. I'm forgetting some of this details, but this began an odyssey of trying to figure out what's wrong with the car's electronics/computers. He's spent months and months investigating, has had various indie mechanics with MB experience look at it, and has come to the conclusion that the only recourse is to take it to the dealer and have MB start replacing and reprogramming various modules....to the tune of thousands of dollars. So he's done with it.

Now, maybe he and his coterie of mechanics aren't the best diagnosticians. Still, it's a little sobering that the electronics could go out like that and resist diagnosis and repair to that extent.

Originally Posted by TimFreeh

Not really a very compelling indictment of computers without more information about the technical abilities of the people doing the diagnosis.

I will agree that it's very difficult to do any meaningful troubleshooting on these newer cars without access to a Star Diagnosis machine or a clone version available on e-bay.

If you do have access to such a tool its quite eye-opening to see what can be diagnosed without even picking up a wrench.

As a quick aside why would someone buy a car that didn't come with a title? How in the world could you deal with the issue that it may be stolen?

Originally Posted by shertex

In RI cars 10 years and older don't have titles....assume some other states as well.

Originally Posted by shertex

Got some clarity....guy bought it from auction two years ago. Says "it has always had electrical issues." Can you say FLOOD?

Needless to say, this car's unhappy fate no longer concerns me as an indicator of W210 electrical woes.

As to the title, apparently he's in some sort of legal dispute with the lien holder. (Who knew...I guess people that buy cars at auction sometimes have loans).

Worth somebody pursuing as a parts car...but not I.

Originally Posted by shertex

Interesting to see the wide variety of W210 experiences people have. While everyone acknowledges the rust issues, lots of long-term owners have no other complaints. I'm only 7k miles into mine....so we'll see.

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

I informed my Brother of all the scary odd problems that you're reporting on your '98, with about 1/2 the miles on it. Unfortunately, in essence, no two cars are alike, is what I am thinking.

Originally Posted by shertex

Not sure what you're referring to....my 98 is fine.

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

Yes, I was commenting on your '98. After you mentioned; "the wide variety of W210 experiences people have," which I quoted in my last post. You've owned your W210 a matter of months - not the 15-years that my '99 has been owned since new. Not knocking your car, just the history of issues is far different as reported here versus mine with a lot more miles on it. Probably not a fair comparison, to be honest, but the very fact that it has so many less miles has surprised me in what issues you've reported over the months here - that's all.

Originally Posted by sixto

When you say "doesn't need a title," are you saying you can take all the parts you want off it and have a yard tow away what's left? Yards around here won't take a car or what's left of it unless you can prove you own it. Maybe you can Sawzall it into chunks you can set out for weekly garbage collection

Sixto
MB-less

Originally Posted by shertex

My confusion arose from your phrase "all the scary odd problems that you're reporting on your '98". Again, just wasn't sure what you were referring to.

Originally Posted by vtmbz

Vermont says 15 years old or older are bill of sale only, no title required.

But the previous owner states problem getting a title, which coupled with electrical nightmares means to me that it has a salvage flood title and he doesnt want to disclose it.

There was a guy on here a few years back from Indonesia (maybe?) who was trying to resurrect a flooded vehicle. I wonder if he ever got it going?

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

I see. When it comes to vehicles' breakdowns, the ones I haven't experienced (yet) on nearly the same vehicle - at least to me, it is scary to realize how lucky I am, at least for the time being.

Originally Posted by sixto

you can Sawzall it into chunks you can set out for weekly garbage collection ...

Originally Posted by shertex

If my steering leak turns into a rack replacement, that one can qualify as scary!

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

Posting the link to the cheap parts car W210 '99 E300 you found on cl the other day, I see where you're going with this. I like it! How many parts cars can you gather on your property? Time to build or rent a hobby garage?