Latest salvage vehicle purchase from Auction (IAAI not Copart)

[GON]

#1 rule of buying flood cars for fun and profit is to buy one that already runs and drives.
#2 rule of buying flood cars is, if you break rule #1, pay no more than parts value. On a 10 year old S-class that's 3, maybe $4K tops.

I've done good with the few swimmers I've had, but you have to know what you're doing and buy it right to begin with.

You may be providing awesome advice. I have purchased two W220 flooded s-classes. Neither of them ran or drove, but they do now and they are both on the road today. But I also understand I was lucky and not smart/ good.

Above is the link to my engine fire S500 rebuild. Thought on the street was to never by a car with a engine fire. That car purrs like a kitten, but I only paid $350 for it at auction, not $6,000.... so your post is well noted.

 

[eljefino]

Are you able to get plates for it before rebuilding it?

Get plates, have it towed to a public street without parking restrictions, leave it. Or find a self-storage lot with a chain link fence to keep out the worst of the riff-raff.

 

[atikovi]

Are you able to get plates for it before rebuilding it?

Not in any state in the union.

 

[Wolf359]

I like the 2014+ models. At least the 2011 is the facelift. They were a little crazy to expect 15k for it. That's full retail according to Nadaguide. Rough trade in is about 8k. I can't expect it to be worth much more than 10k or so after it's repaired because of the salvage status of it being a flood car. What engine is it? I'd prefer the M273 over the M278, M278 has engine issues although more in the other classes like the GL.

 

[GON]

Not in any state in the union.

Depends how/ if it is titled. I did not check if it has as salvage certificate or a certificate of title. If it has a salvage title it can be plated, salvage certificate no.

And the funniest thing, two states allow for vehicles that are titled "to never be rebuilt" do allow them to be titled for driving. Washington state is one, I forgot the other. Have to go through a deep inspection process... but can be done.

 

[atikovi]

Salvage title or salvage certificate, same thing. Until you get that rebuilt and inspected, you're not getting tags.

 

[atikovi]

Well, you COULD put a dealer tag on it.

 

[GON]

I like the 2014+ models. At least the 2011 is the facelift. They were a little crazy to expect 15k for it. That's full retail according to Nadaguide. Rough trade in is about 8k. I can't expect it to be worth much more than 10k or so after it's repaired because of the salvage status of it being a flood car. What engine is it? I'd prefer the M273 over the M278, M278 has engine issues although more in the other classes like the GL.

Used vehicle prices have gone through the roof, salvage even more so. I understand used car prices may be like Game Stop stock.

I was working hard for a 2014+, but even at salvage they were always selling above 20k. I love the seats/ interior in the W222, but just out of my reach. I would not of bid on a pre facelift W221. Heck, I really did not expect to buy this one.....

Engine is the : 5.5L DOHC 32-VALVE V8 ENGINE.

I do not want performance with a sedan, I want comfort and reliability. I would never buy a high performance S-class, not a match for what I want, I want to drive like Grandpa, not Kyle Busch.

 

[GON]

Salvage title or salvage certificate, same thing. Until you get that rebuilt and inspected, you're not getting tags.

Not accurate. I bought at auction a 2006 S430 flooded S430 from Alabama with a salvage title, had zero issue getting it titled required no inspection, nothing.

It may very by state.

 

[atikovi]

Not accurate. I bought at auction a 2006 S430 flooded S430 from Alabama with a salvage title, had zero issue getting it titled required no inspection, nothing.

Sure, you can get it titled and the title you get will still be a salvage title. But you're still not getting tags.

 

[Wolf359]

Used vehicle prices have gone through the roof, salvage even more so. I understand used car prices may be like Game Stop stock.

I was working hard for a 2014+, but even at salvage they were always selling above 20k. I love the seats/ interior in the W222, but just out of my reach. I would not of bid on a pre facelift W221. Heck, I really did not expect to buy this one.....

Engine is the : 5.5L DOHC 32-VALVE V8 ENGINE.

I do not want performance with a sedan, I want comfort and reliability. I would never buy a high performance S-class, not a match for what I want, I want to drive like Grandpa, not Kyle Busch.

I like all the options on the S class aside from the crazy suspensions like ABC or Magic body control, a nightmare to keep them running. The W222 is probably worth it at over 20k, normally retail they're still 30-40k. The previous 2013 model can be had in the 20-30k range. Big difference in just once year and a new body style. Oh yeah, I think that's the M273. Use this vin decoder to see:

https://www.lastvin.com/

That's basically like my M272 engine, standard issues would be the thermostat, pulleys/tensioners, breather cover/oil separator, oil leaks in rear plugs and of course the intake manifold going bad from the oil gumming up the flaps from the bad breather cover/oil separator.

 

[GON]

Sure, you can get it titled and the title you get will still be a salvage title. But you're still not getting tags.

Not accurate. A person can get tags with a salvage title, happens every day. You may be confusing a salvage certificate for title with a salvage title. They are very different. Some states MAY require a inspection of a salvage titles vehicle, but I have not had that experience.

This vehicle has the following"

• Title/Sale Doc:SALVAGE (North Carolina)
• Title/Sale Doc Brand:FLOOD

And I have no idea if North Carolina issues a salvage title or a salvage certificate for title. Either will work as if it is a certificate for title I will rebuild it to pass inspection. If it is a salvage title my state requires nothing to provide license, title, and tag except $105 for two years registration.

 

[GON]

I like all the options on the S class aside from the crazy suspensions like ABC or Magic body control, a nightmare to keep them running. The W222 is probably worth it at over 20k, normally retail they're still 30-40k. The previous 2013 model can be had in the 20-30k range. Big difference in just once year and a new body style. Oh yeah, I think that's the M273. Use this vin decoder to see:

https://www.lastvin.com/

That's basically like my M272 engine, standard issues would be the thermostat, pulleys/tensioners, breather cover/oil separator, oil leaks in rear plugs and of course the intake manifold going bad from the oil gumming up the flaps from the bad breather cover/oil separator.

You are right, it is the M273. Thanks for sharing the VIN decoder link,

 

[RhondaHonda]

I pray for you that someone left the sunroof open and it’s fresh, clean water. If it’s salt/brackish water or silty floodwater, good luck! There’s probably 10 modules and 20 miles of wiring under the carpet on that thing. Keep us posted! Make sure you get it disassembled and pull the carpet ASAP.

 

[atikovi]

And I have no idea if North Carolina issues a salvage title or a salvage certificate for title. Either will work as if it is a certificate for title I will rebuild it to pass inspection. If it is a salvage title my state requires nothing to provide license, title, and tag except $105 for two years registration.

Potato potato. A salvage title is a regular title, just branded SALVAGE somewhere on it. A salvage certificate is an ownership document same as a title but may be a different color and have other details of the car listed. Good luck if you can get a tag with either one of those documents before having passed a salvage inspection. One reason it was given a salvage title or certificate is because the state deemed it unroadworthy. No way are they going to let you drive it on public roads without an inspection.

 

[2EHA]

parts value for these cars is decent and export demand is always there.

next door to our shop a couple of guys were running a side business exporting salvage s classes and 7 series. people in the former soviet union eat these cars up and shops can weld anything.

flood damage? biohazard? no problem

 

[RooflessVW]

You can send it to me in Eastern NC and I'll start drying it out for you!

 

[atikovi]

4 weeks minimum if the carpet has foam padding underneath. And I can only imagine the hours of fun you will have removing the seats with no power to them.

 

[Wolf359]

You are right, it is the M273. Thanks for sharing the VIN decoder link,

You have the WIS and EPC right?

I usually like to poke through the brochure and some of the list prices of various options.

https://www.auto-brochures.com/mercedes_benz.html

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/mercedes-benz/s-class/2011/

For fun, you should spend the $8 and get the sticker although the Motor trend numbers are pretty close, I was just off by the delivery charge.

https://monroneylabels.com/

 

[CKN]

Sure, you can get it titled and the title you get will still be a salvage title. But you're still not getting tags.

Yes-in Utah it will be a salvaged/branded title. And it's worth a fraction of an identical "normal" one. Except on the lots here in Utah that specialize in these kinds of vehicles, they seem to think they are worth a few dollars less....for some reason.