Possible purchase - advice please

[blm70]

Hi all

Sold my C5 last year and bought a little Mk1 TT as it was on my bucket list! I'm actually very impressed - it's had a new clutch, been poly bushed and has only covered 74k.

However, the C5 itch has started and I've been looking around.

Found this Plus recently and have been chatting to the owner who mentioned it was known on RS246 (by Sean/Phil?)

Looks very nice but having already owned one that ended up costing me ££££, I'm understandably a little more wary this time round.

Just added some files sent by the owner.

All comments welcome!

[Shoppinit]

The plate rings a bell.

Shame about the wing mirrors.

Price seems ok for a Plus, assuming it's in the condition he says it is. Starting to be high miles for a collector's. Why do you want a plus? If it's to drive then maybe get a standard one. If it's to collect then this seems ok as long as you don't put too many miles on it. Also it would need the aluminium wing mirrors.

[Shoppinit]

What's that blob on the dash carbon fibre?

I like the natural leather. Plus it ages well.

[blm70]

It would only be used occasionally, couple of thousand miles a year at most. I personally like the Plus' natural leather, black optics and the RNS-E is a bonus.

Have asked about the orange thingamajig...

As long as the mirrors have been well done I don't mind. Hope to see it Monday although it's a fair way (East Kent - Wiltshire.)

[bakustax]

The plate rings a bell.

Maybe it's Bono's?

[blm70]

What's that blob on the dash carbon fibre?

It's a mobile phone magnet (the other half attaches to your phone.) Hmm.

[Mark-RS]

I enquired about this one quite some time ago. Not sure if it was sold and has come up for sale again. The only thinkg that really put me off was being over 100k miles and no Box issues. Surely it's only a matter of time before there is a huge bill looming, and at over 100k, I would assume that time is not to long away.

[Ajc]

Mine has 140k on its original box . It's been serviced regularly and isn't showing any signs of its age as yet . Although I know I'll end up pulling it to bits at some point it seems there's no time scale to when they go. More about how it's treated . There is a thread somewhere on box life on the c5 and milage varys wildly .

[Shoppinit]

There's no rhyme or reason to it. There are a couple of components in the box that could be weak and cause general failure but it's a lottery as to whether you get one of those or not.

Similarly, IMO, if the box has been fixed then unless the box is a ZF or Audi remanufactured, there's no guarantee that the cause of the cascade failure has been addressed.

[blm70]

Thanks for all your comments guys.

Think I'm going to err on the side of caution and keep looking. Last thing I want is the box going AWOL (been there, got the t-shirt), and yes the mileage is a tad high for a Plus.

[blm70]

Test drove this today as it was literally 3 miles down the road from me (Rainham-Newington.)

Never owned a Merc before but was suitable impressed. Somewhat more refined that a '6 but it's brisk..

Owner is a bit of a petrolhead and had (amongst others) a mint Escort RS turbo and a 205 GTi 1.9 with a 2.0 turbo conversion. Really nice chap and was happy to take my TT in px (£4k) despite not being a dealer. Car has full history (just serviced) and has been in storage for about 6 years (saw storage receipt for £1600), new front discs/pads, overhauled air suspension (superb), low miles (71k) and drove absolutely spot-on.

Going in for a full 12 month's MoT shortly and hopefully will meet its new owner very soon

[Shoppinit]

Are you becoming a farmer?

[blm70]

Get orf moi laaand! (etc.)

[Shoppinit]

What are they? 510 bhp? Through 2 wheels? Noice.

[Gav66]

Thats the one iam going to see on Thursday lads, reading this I am starting to worry a bit, how will I know if the box is on its last legs, anything else I should check when I am there ???
Not a fast driver just always wanted one since the s6 avant I had, how much will it cost to fix the box if it packs in.