OK lets say the DOUBLE ROW timing CHAIN broke and sent the valves (there
are 4 per cylinder) into the pistons, at the very least you are going to
have at least 4 valves bent, depending on the engine speed at the time
of the breakage.
Worst case scenario is that the camshafts are damaged, which means the
best option is a reconditioned head, plus there may be damage from the
chain.
If it was me, I would ask the seller if I could remove the rocker cover,
you may find that the chain did not break but the tensioner or guide
rail broke, allowing the chain to skip, which is a better scenario.
Another problem is that you do not know the condition of the gearbox,
A/C and other bits and pieces, the condition which of, you can only tell
by having a car that can be driven. Remember if the seller was happy to
drive around with a cracked wind screen and turn signal, they may well
have no car pride. Is there any service history?
Have a look at Rustys site for some idea on the cost of parts, it does
not show a C220 for 98 but the C230 is pretty much the same.
http://www.buymbparts.biz/
According to http://www.germanstar.net/Mercedes_Model_Info.html the C220
was dropped in 96, so be sure you figure out what you intent to buy, a
grey market import is not going to be worth as much as a US delivered
one. It is always a good idea, when looking at a Benz and thinking about
buying it, to get the VIN.
Far as making money out of it, if you can do the work yourself and get a
good price on parts, then you may make a profit but if you have to get
someone to fix the engine, then you may well end up losing money. I
would guess that getting that engine repaired would cost between 1K to
2K depending on the damage. Have a look at what comparable cars are
going for on ebay and in the classifieds, remembering that the asking
price may not be the final selling price.
The price of the W202 is dropping and over here (where Mercs are more
expensive all round) we are starting to see the base models (C180's)
heading close to 5K in reasonable condition.
However we where not as hard hit with that financial thingy, so prices
of cars have not dropped that much.
Hendrik
Kathmandu wrote:
There was an add in the local trading post for a 1998 C220 for $500.
The lady who posted the add first thought it was a BMW then said it
was a 320E so you can get some idea of whom I am dealing with. She
said the C220 had a broken timing belt and didn't run. She said and I
quote, "it bent the points and spark plugs and doesn't run" I looked
at the car and the body is straight and the interior is not ripped up
or anything but it does have a cracked windshield and a broken turn
signal lens. Question is, if it did break the timing belt, what sort
of damage would likely have occurred and second would this car be
worth anything if it were running? I am totally uninterested in this
dinky Mercedes myself but I am interested if I could make a few bucks
fixing and selling it or even parting it out.
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