Would you buy a 220,000 mile e class 350 petrol?

[Steviesam]

I need something big and cheap.

It’s been looked after, but is the engine reliable? I have read about balancer shaft issues, but surely they would have knackered before now?

[Carlososos]

At that mileage in the uk it’s all about condition and care then hedge your bets and take a punt. If it’s been looked after and it looks it to then that’s as good as it’s gona get. Is it dirt cheap?

[Steviesam]

Yes it’s cheap. I was going to get a van but they really are all dodgy! I just thought that surely the balancer would have gone already at that mileage!

[BDKM]

[bluezedd]

No way. I don't think I'd even take one for free (if I was forced to keep it and run it).

There is the argument that a car of a certain milage has had a lot of the jobs that need doing already done, but I also tend to find that sort of patter is what you get from the sort of person trying to get rid of their moon miles car.

[Dolf Stoppard]

How cheap is cheap?

I'd buy it for a pound...

[74merc]

What year is it?The balancer shaft issue was resolved quite a while ago. You should be able to find the impacted chassis numbers online.

[ChocolateFrog]

I'd be looking at the state of things like suspension bushes over what is probably quite a rare mode of engine failure at that mileage.

[miken2k8]

Steviesam said:

I need something big and cheap.

It’s been looked after, but is the engine reliable? I have read about balancer shaft issues, but surely they would have knackered before now?

yes if its a grand or 2 and lasts 6 months to a year just scrap it?

[miken2k8]

buying an end of life car and expecting it to last?

[randomeddy]

End of life?

Car Mechanics magazine bought a Volvo that was on 717,000.

It was fine.

[The spinner of plates]

I’m running a Mercedes day to day with more than 250k on it, it’s fine.
Just keep on top of essential maintenance.
Of course it’s a bit of a gamble.. but if the price is right then give it a whirl.

I doubt it’s the drivetrain that will end the cars serviceable life anyway.

[Welshbeef]

Any more details OP?
Owners
Length of MOT
Exact model
Age
Service history
Tyre condition
Tyre brand
Discs and pads
Anything not working


This age things like
Wheel bearings
Drop links
Bushes
Track rod ends
Windscreen might be chipped to buggery
Drivers seat might have collapsed/cushion worn
On drivers seat remember 250k miles of a drivers sweaty bum oozing into the fabric of the foam of the seat…
If autobox fluid change
Air con condenser I’ll wager is rotted out
Radiator I’d wager is heavily worn with debris from the road


But if you keep on top of servicing any car will keep going and going and going. Some with less fiddling than others.


You say cheap - how cheap? What does webuyanycar offer for that car with that miles? More less of the same as you’ve been offered.

[georgeyboy12345]

No, no I wouldn’t.

[ARHarh]

If the price is right and it has some history I would buy it and run it till it failed. You will need to be able to fix it yourself and determine what really needs fixing not what your local mechanic thinks you should fix. The best cars I have owned over the years have been the big mile ones.

[Jimmy No Hands]

Mileage is irrelevant. Maintenance is everything - there is no such thing as end of life for a modern car, the days of calling the scrap man when you approach the dreaded 100,000 are long gone. We are incredibly hung up on mileage in the United Kingdom. When I lived in Australia, it wasn't unusual for approved used vehicles to have well over 200,000km and beyond. With solid residuals. They buy cars to maintain and use them for long periods of time, unlike our throw away PCP / lease new plate society.


Maintenance is key. It is everything. Buy on condition and history rather than mileage. Change your perceptions.

[The spinner of plates]

Jimmy No Hands said:

Mileage is irrelevant. Maintenance is everything - there is no such thing as end of life for a modern car, the days of calling the scrap man when you approach the dreaded 100,000 are long gone. We are incredibly hung up on mileage in the United Kingdom. When I lived in Australia, it wasn't unusual for approved used vehicles to have well over 200,000km and beyond. With solid residuals. They buy cars to maintain and use them for long periods of time, unlike our throw away PCP / lease new plate society.


Maintenance is key. It is everything. Buy on condition and history rather than mileage. Change your perceptions.

Shhhh... better we encourage the apparent misconceptions so that the enlightened few can drive lovely cars on the cheap for many years

[gman88667733]

Really depends on price and condition. If it looks like it's been looked after, it's probably not a bad car. You can normally tell if something has been neglected.

[Steviesam]

Reckon I can get it for 2k

2006 e350 estate
Gearbox conductor plate replaced sept 20 @206k
AC condenser replaced last week!
3 new tyres in Feb ( Goodyear efficiency)
Good SH by MB or independent all in book
Front headlight lens' replaced Feb 21
Wheels powder coated Feb 21
no rust bubbles
Owned 6 years
All front ball joints replaced at last service
Both rear air bags replaced 2019
Suspension compressor 2019
Comes with both remote keys and all books
All lights come on with ignition and go out on start up

[ZX10R NIN]

At 2k it's worth a punt but condition & receipts are key here, you'll be past the balancer shaft issues too.