I'd like your opinion on a car. Found a 1999 E430 that looks really good, but when idling I can hear an irregular tapping that sounds like a possible lifter tap or a possible bearing knock. It isn't a loud tap and is irregular. My hearing isn't all that great so I'm not able to really tell. Are these cars known for anything like this or is this perhaps a normal sound? Anything else to be concerned with if looking at buying one of these cars? Thanks.

That is a car past its prime. It does not have A) good fuel economy B) good power or C) longevity.

It will cost gobs of money to fix up. It was okay back in '99, but there are many better options now.

The most common engine noise (keeping in mind that those engines are not known for failure) is the lifters tapping. Its a pretty quick fix. Could also be the belt tensioner, a broken belt strand slapping (the cooling fans in front also have a belt, one side drives the other) or something like a motor mount. The catalysts often break up and rattle. This is extremely likely. The most rare failure would be a bent rod or some such causing the piston to chew up a cylinder wall. We don't see it often, but it will show up about 600-1000 miles after a hydrolock.

It would have to be a really clean car with an excellent service history for me to even consider it. I made a lot of money on those cars. There aren't very many that roll through here in good shape anymore. A lot of folks that had cars like that let them go due to the economy. The E430 wasn't very popular either. If someone wanted a V8, they bought an S class. The E320 was extremely popular.

If its a 4matic all wheel drive, RUN AWAY.

Cool, I'll stay away from it then. Right now looking for something comfy from any make for my wife to ride in. The truck's beating her back injury pretty hard right now.

If I know you as well as I think I do... you are a bit too frugal for that one. It'll bankrupt you with a quickness.

Its a tough sell for me to want a 10+ year old well worn luxury vehicle with funny noises, and abnormally high costs for parts.

I just know them well enough to know that from that era, they all fall apart. Damn near everything will be broken by now. It might still drive, but who knows for how much longer?

Aw c'mon, you really want to say cheap beasturd... and you'd be right. Yes, based on your post I gave that one a miss. Still looking around. In the meantime, put new shocks on the 2001. It still rides like a truck, but no longer rides like a log wagon.

How about a Buick Lesabre with 3800 in it. Not as fancy as a Mercedes but the ride is soft and the engine will run forever and parts are easy to find. My wife has an 01 and it still rides nice. Not much for going around corners though.

Been trying to concentrate on rear wheel drives, but we have been keeping an eye out for LeSabres too.

You need to get your focus back. C'mon now! Concentrate.





Last edited by CrazyHoe on Sat May 26, 2012 4:19 am; edited 1 time in total

But seriously, Infinity G37 or G37x are incredibly reliable. So is Lexus.

I love Bimmers and Mercs but can't afford to maintain them. Might go for Boxter one day.

CrazyHoe wrote:

But seriously, Infinity G37 or G37x are incredibly reliable. So is Lexus.

I love Bimmers and Mercs but can't afford to maintain them. Might go for Boxter one day.

If you haven't driven one of those G37's, give it a try. Unfriggin real for such a little sports car. Quick...holy crap!! I had one as a rental once in SFO and you couldn't wipe the grin off my face with a bat. Stomp the gas and hold it and it goes through the gears like a formula one car pulling hard the whole way through 100+. I think they are in the 360hp area.
Jim, also try one of the newer Impala's with the new motor. I believe it its 300+hp and actually fun to drive.

I still want a black on black convertible Corvette. My last Vette was a '69. They probably ride nicer now. But, likely not cushy. And, I still like the SLK's from Mercedes. But, the YXL is still running like a champ. Heading off to Canada at the end of the week. We're coming through early Friday a.m. Pauly. Are you working? Got time for coffee??

delete please



Last edited by Rob_B on Sat May 26, 2012 8:12 pm; edited 1 time in total

Makoi wrote:

I still want a black on black convertible Corvette. My last Vette was a '69. They probably ride nicer now. But, likely not cushy. And, I still like the SLK's from Mercedes. But, the YXL is still running like a champ. Heading off to Canada at the end of the week. We're coming through early Friday a.m. Pauly. Are you working? Got time for coffee??

If your coming through Pete, maybe the 2 of us, Pauly and I can meet ya. What time you figure to be driving though? I am about 25 miles from Hogs and your actually driving right past my place.

They no longer make the SC430, and we don't like the IS models. We've thought about the Infiniti G hardtop convertible but haven't gotten down to test one. The big problem is I want something cheap and cushy for now. Until I know how the wife is going to handle back surgery I don't want to commit to any expensive cars. It would suck to buy something then she wind up not being able to ride in it. At least now we've gotten everything else fixed, the back is the last thing left.

Funny thing is, she keeps getting onto me because I keep stopping to look at old classic muscle cars that need restoring. Not going to buy one but seeing them up for sale is like moths to a flame. I can't NOT stop to look. I keep telling her I like broken down old junk so she'd better stop giving me a hard time about it before I decide she's right and I need something new and flashy...





Last edited by Speeder on Sat May 26, 2012 3:40 pm; edited 1 time in total

No no wait, wrong pic... try this one...

No no, HERE we are... New and flashy, hot stuff baby!

Co worker bought a 2005 G35x sedan 3y ago. Only had to replace the FR hub bearing so far. He's still grinning 3y later. It's a sporty but comfy ride.

I also like the SLK but I want the big v8 minus the active suspension.
The new c class looks awesome too... Specially the C63 AMG...

Rob_B wrote:

Makoi wrote:

I still want a black on black convertible Corvette. My last Vette was a '69. They probably ride nicer now. But, likely not cushy. And, I still like the SLK's from Mercedes. But, the YXL is still running like a champ. Heading off to Canada at the end of the week. We're coming through early Friday a.m. Pauly. Are you working? Got time for coffee??

If your coming through Pete, maybe the 2 of us, Pauly and I can meet ya. What time you figure to be driving though? I am about 25 miles from Hogs and your actually driving right past my place.

I didn't know that you were so close. We met at a gas station truck stop right next to where Pauly works. I'd have to look at a map to confirm the exit number. I hope we're out of Detroit by 6 a.m. That will get us up to Port Huron/Sarnia before there's too much traffic. I'll know better about our departure time by Thursday. I've got Hog's cell phone number. I'll check in with him if he doesn't respond here.

Makoi wrote:

Rob_B wrote:

Makoi wrote:

I still want a black on black convertible Corvette. My last Vette was a '69. They probably ride nicer now. But, likely not cushy. And, I still like the SLK's from Mercedes. But, the YXL is still running like a champ. Heading off to Canada at the end of the week. We're coming through early Friday a.m. Pauly. Are you working? Got time for coffee??

If your coming through Pete, maybe the 2 of us, Pauly and I can meet ya. What time you figure to be driving though? I am about 25 miles from Hogs and your actually driving right past my place.

I didn't know that you were so close. We met at a gas station truck stop right next to where Pauly works. I'd have to look at a map to confirm the exit number. I hope we're out of Detroit by 6 a.m. That will get us up to Port Huron/Sarnia before there's too much traffic. I'll know better about our departure time by Thursday. I've got Hog's cell phone number. I'll check in with him if he doesn't respond here.

Hey guys, I just checked my schedule and Friday is open for me as it sits right now, thats June 1st.
Rob, we met at the 230 truck stop on Sweaburg Road, same exit you took before when we met, except you turn left instead of right just off the 401.

peace
Hog

Hog wrote:

Makoi wrote:

Rob_B wrote:

Makoi wrote:

I still want a black on black convertible Corvette. My last Vette was a '69. They probably ride nicer now. But, likely not cushy. And, I still like the SLK's from Mercedes. But, the YXL is still running like a champ. Heading off to Canada at the end of the week. We're coming through early Friday a.m. Pauly. Are you working? Got time for coffee??

If your coming through Pete, maybe the 2 of us, Pauly and I can meet ya. What time you figure to be driving though? I am about 25 miles from Hogs and your actually driving right past my place.

I didn't know that you were so close. We met at a gas station truck stop right next to where Pauly works. I'd have to look at a map to confirm the exit number. I hope we're out of Detroit by 6 a.m. That will get us up to Port Huron/Sarnia before there's too much traffic. I'll know better about our departure time by Thursday. I've got Hog's cell phone number. I'll check in with him if he doesn't respond here.

Hey guys, I just checked my schedule and Friday is open for me as it sits right now, thats June 1st.
Rob, we met at the 230 truck stop on Sweaburg Road, same exit you took before when we met, except you turn left instead of right just off the 401.

peace
Hog

Got ya. The T/A truck stop. What time you figure to meet up? I get back from CT on Thursday afternoon so Friday morning will be good for me.