Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

kyfdx

2015 with 32K miles
SL 63 with 605 HP

roadburner

My wife would love an SL.

laurasdada

I wrote earlier that I took the wife to test an '18 or '19 SL450 with the intent to buy for her if she liked it. She did, but felt it wasn't feminine enough (read: not an SUV?) for her. So, eventually it turned into the '22 X3.

I was surprised by the drive, plenty of pep with the 6 and handled better than I had anticipated. And the auto variable side bolsters were a surprise and a hoot!

Not the prettiest of SLs, though.

au1994

@kyfdx said:
2015 with 32K miles
SL 63 with 605 HP

Yeah, I’d be in trouble.

28firefighter

I drove the X3 and did not come home with it. It was generally very clean for the age and mileage - interior was especially nice, no surprise.

The disappointment was the mechanicals for a car that "went through the shop" at a brand dealer. In order:
1. It was misfiring BAD under load - hitting to get on the highway, it just stuttered and stuttered. No CEL, but I can't imagine it's far off. Also had a pulse at idle that I'm sure is related. How did they not drive it?
2. Condensation in the right rear taillight - if you told me the sunroof drains were clogged, I would not be surprised.
3. Brakes are due literally any minute.
4. There is a small rattle from the front end at low speeds. Could be nothing, could be something. Knowing what I know, it's never nothing.
5. The car has one singular mudflap remaining of the 4 that came on the car. Kinda funny.
6. It'll need new tires in about a year - no big deal. I'd planned to put on what I want on whatever we get (if we get).

My suspicion is it started misfiring, someone cleared the CEL, and then traded it. Either way, I'm no fool. Told them to call me if the decide to fix the big stuff.

xwesx

Wow! That hurts the confidence.

jmonroe1

au1994 said:

@kyfdx said:

2015 with 32K miles

SL 63 with 605 HP

Yeah, I’d be in trouble.

————————————————
Yep, in traffic court with @andres3.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

28firefighter said:

I drove the X3 and did not come home with it. It was generally very clean for the age and mileage - interior was especially nice, no surprise.

The disappointment was the mechanicals for a car that "went through the shop" at a brand dealer. In order:
1. It was misfiring BAD under load - hitting to get on the highway, it just stuttered and stuttered. No CEL, but I can't imagine it's far off. Also had a pulse at idle that I'm sure is related. How did they not drive it?
2. Condensation in the right rear taillight - if you told me the sunroof drains were clogged, I would not be surprised.
3. Brakes are due literally any minute.
4. There is a small rattle from the front end at low speeds. Could be nothing, could be something. Knowing what I know, it's never nothing.
5. The car has one singular mudflap remaining of the 4 that came on the car. Kinda funny.
6. It'll need new tires in about a year - no big deal. I'd planned to put on what I want on whatever we get (if we get).

My suspicion is it started misfiring, someone cleared the CEL, and then traded it. Either way, I'm no fool. Told them to call me if the decide to fix the big stuff.

Couldn’t you make the sale contingent on them fixing the issues? Put it on a “we owe” sheet. Usually dealers put new brakes and tires on if they are more than half worn. Odd that they would put a high end car on the lot with significant problems.

I think you’re right about the previous owner pulling a fast one. On my recent truck purchase the previous owner traded it in during January with a problem with the AC. I missed it because it was still cold out as did my PPI. Fortunately the dealer fixed it for free (clogged expansion valve) but I’m surprised that they went to the trouble to put on new tires and brakes but not check the AC.

[Deleted User]

kyfdx said:

2015 with 32K miles
SL 63 with 605 HP

That's a nice looking Tundra in the background

tjc78

I can’t believe that you noticed misfiring and the CEL didn’t get tripped.

My 04 Grand Marquis had one fussy coil pack. When it was damp out it occasionally would cause a misfire. As soon as I noticed it a minute or so later the CEL would come on.

The car would get warm, I’d beat it a little and it would return to normal the light would go out.

28firefighter

I want to be sure they fix it for real before handing over a penny. If they put it out with issues, then I’m not convinced fix it right

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

I want to be sure they fix it for real before handing over a penny. If they put it out with issues, then I’m not convinced fix it right

I'm guessing a non-BMW dealer might do nothing more than brakes/tires.

explorerx4

A friend of mine put down a deposit on a Q5. He found some issues, repairs and maintenance, that the dealership agreed to take care of.
They spent so much money on it, he ended up getting his deposit back and they moved it to another dealer in their group with a higher price.

28firefighter

@explorerx4 said:
A friend of mine put down a deposit on a Q5. He found some issues, repairs and maintenance, that the dealership agreed to take care of.
They spent so much money on it, he ended up getting his deposit back and they moved it to another dealer in their group with a higher price.

This would not surprise me at all.

I’m not expecting perfection. But come on now.

kyfdx

This result makes me happy about my GTI. One year newer, more options, 30K less miles

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2017-volkswagen-gti-14/#comments-anchor

breld

@tifighter said:

@nyccarguy said:
@tifighter

Great pics! I assume you drove the Tesla there? LOL!

Which one?

Wait a second….did you buy a second Tesla? 😉

breld

A little spring cleaning with the new pressure washer setup. Loving the compact size, the long hose and stubby trigger.

I can just place it on the ground and get to all cars along the driveway.

Next step will be considering a wall mounted setup.

qbrozen

28firefighter said:

I want to be sure they fix it for real before handing over a penny. If they put it out with issues, then I’m not convinced fix it right

That car is just getting started with problems.

28firefighter

Speaking of the beginning of problems, thoughts on this one?

https://www.mercedesbenzofbellevue.com/used/Audi/2015-Audi-Q5-522d026bac183db4873676fbdb1cd891.htm

laurasdada

Yes, it's an Audi. It is bullet-proof. Toyota is green with envy over the reliability of Audis (especially complex ones, like say, a PHEV).
My advice, buy two. Now.

You really got your money's worth with this advice!

28firefighter

I mostly posted it for @qbrozen ’s hilarious response.

laurasdada

Well, I took a shot.

corvette

Stopped at the Flight 93 National Memorial on my drive through PA today. Not a whole lot to see there, but worth a stop if you're in the middle of PA. They had a nice walking trail that was a perfect break from a day of driving. Got to drive on both the Lincoln Highway and the PA Turnpike. Beautiful area of the country.

I'm following @nyccarguy's suggestion and plan to visit the New York International Auto Show on Tuesday, when it is supposed to be cooler and raining. If any of the northeast CCBA contingent plans to visit that day, let me know, and I'd be glad to meet up.

explorerx4

@corvette,
You can watch stuff like this at the NY Auto Show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijFaF04eQ_g

cdnpinhead

corvette said:

Stopped at the Flight 93 National Memorial on my drive through PA today.

There's a small memorial park in Lockerbie to commemorate the TWA flt 93 crash, and I visited it a couple of times on weekends when I had business in the UK. Sobering.

oldfarmer50

28firefighter said:

Speaking of the beginning of problems, thoughts on this one?

https://www.mercedesbenzofbellevue.com/used/Audi/2015-Audi-Q5-522d026bac183db4873676fbdb1cd891.htm

I just realized, Carvana says my 2015 is worth almost $7k more than that.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

@corvette,
You can watch stuff like this at the NY Auto Show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijFaF04eQ_g

Don’t get me started.😠 I guess according to them, you EV guys are evil too. Wasn’t that a Ford Lightning?

mjfloyd1

@28firefighter - you do realize that those TDIs are no longer being bought back?😎

qbrozen

@28firefighter said:
Speaking of the beginning of problems, thoughts on this one?

https://www.mercedesbenzofbellevue.com/used/Audi/2015-Audi-Q5-522d026bac183db4873676fbdb1cd891.htm

Audi diesel. What could possibly go wrong? Love it.

kyfdx

I had my Audi diesel for 5 months, and only spent $110 on repair.

mjfloyd1

Mine needed a door opener cable and a blue def pump - all covered under warranty.

28firefighter

@mjfloyd1 said:
@28firefighter - you do realize that those TDIs are no longer being bought back?😎

This one made my wife laugh unreasonably hard.

tifighter

Track day today. Woohoo.

28firefighter

@tifighter said:
Track day today. Woohoo.

Wait. You’re using a vehicle as properly intended? Are we allowed to do that?

fintail

laurasdada said:

I wrote earlier that I took the wife to test an '18 or '19 SL450 with the intent to buy for her if she liked it. She did, but felt it wasn't feminine enough (read: not an SUV?) for her. So, eventually it turned into the '22 X3.

I was surprised by the drive, plenty of pep with the 6 and handled better than I had anticipated. And the auto variable side bolsters were a surprise and a hoot!

Not the prettiest of SLs, though.

The not feminine enough = not an SUV thing made me chuckle ('cause it's true). Masculine bravado from dopey marketers doesn't always apply to real world purchasing decisions.

SL is a tough nut to crack, imitators have tried multiple times but can't get it. For better for worse, it's a segment that MB objectively owns. That SL63 is probably a deal for the power, if one is able to keep up with maintenance.

fintail

Kind of an anti CCB now - today is the 5th anniversary of taking delivery of the wagon (and on that note roughly the 29th anniversary for the fintail). The car has been flawless and is still an immense pleasure to drive, it does everything well and is subtle about it. I think the styling has aged well too - was out for an early errand the metallic white paint was glowing in the sharp early morning sun - not perfectly captured by the phone, but you get the point, aged pretty well for a 5 year old car, doesn't seem old:

Michaell

fintail said:

Kind of an anti CCB now - today is the 5th anniversary of taking delivery of the wagon (and on that note roughly the 29th anniversary for the fintail). The car has been flawless and is still an immense pleasure to drive, it does everything well and is subtle about it. I think the styling has aged well too - was out for an early errand the metallic white paint was glowing in the sharp early morning sun - not perfectly captured by the phone, but you get the point, aged pretty well for a 5 year old car, doesn't seem old:

That wagon is certainly sharp.

I feel the same way about our Outback. Just celebrated it's 9th anniversary with us and it still looks fresh. It's been a workhorse, hauling everything from dog kennels (with dogs) to 20 bags of mulch to small and medium sized furniture to and from the cooking studio.

28firefighter

Punch. God I’m a glutton for punishment.

mjfloyd1

Did they fix the X3? Maybe you took another chance on the Audi TDI??

corvette

Give us the deets!

28firefighter

I bought the TDI. It was in immaculate shape. They dropped the price a bit, gave me a bumper to bumper 3/36 extended warranty that their Audi store will work with. May cancel it, but I’ve worked with these folks before and trust them.

Picking it up this afternoon.

mjfloyd1

Oh my. I’d keep the warranty and hope the deductible is low🙄

28firefighter

It is. $100.

nyccarguy

@28firefighter said:
It is. $100.

Awesome! More details! Please!

roadburner

fintail said:

Kind of an anti CCB now - today is the 5th anniversary of taking delivery of the wagon (and on that note roughly the 29th anniversary for the fintail). The car has been flawless and is still an immense pleasure to drive, it does everything well and is subtle about it. I think the styling has aged well too - was out for an early errand the metallic white paint was glowing in the sharp early morning sun - not perfectly captured by the phone, but you get the point, aged pretty well for a 5 year old car, doesn't seem old:

I'm still enamored with my C43; I can't think of anything that I would want to replace it with.

mjfloyd1

Tdi looks good in old man gray😂

tjc78

Congrats 28!!!!

stickguy

Link is gone. I want to see pictures.

28firefighter

I’ll grab some shots soon - my wife has absconded with it for errands.

I went to look at it this morning. It was in immaculate shape - really impressively so. Drove great, near new tires, near new brakes, no service needed - in other words, properly prepared for sale. No smells, no rattles, no runs, no hits, no errors.

What sealed the deal was they had just dropped the price again this morning and then cut me a deal on a warranty. That plus the remaining emissions warranty.

From test drive to closed deal and driving away was under an hour.

Very pleased.

kyfdx

Congrats!