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Ok so the wife car (Mercedes B Class) stated making a funny (whining/whirring) noise a couple of weeks back. We took it to an indi Maerced place and the guy thinks it is a broken turbo. He is saying it is likely to be a big job (need to remove exhaust, drive shaft etc) and likely will cost up to £3.5k including a refurbished turbo (ie. not a new Merc one). He also said there is a small chance they find a broken pipe that might explain it when they start taking things apart which would obviously cost a lot less. They have already had it in and looked for broken pullys/pipes etc a week or so back to rule out anything obvious before concluding it must be the turbo.
In good condition the car is only worth £3.5k trade in and £6.5k retail. Also it is coming up for 100,000 miles so will need a new timing/cam belt soon (£500.
We were thinking of trading it in anyway and infact have a new car on order but likely wont be here for another 6 months or so.
What would you do? Get it fixed for £3.5k only to sell it retail for £6.5k in 6 months time.
If we want rid of it what would be the best option/ way to proceed to maximise the value?
Does it run ok? We buy any car or similar might work. Or trade it in ASAP
Scrap it? Sell it to a specialist Merc breaker? Or eBay it with a list of the issues?
Then put your £3.5k down as a deposit on your new vehicle. I'd not but £3.5k into a vehicle that's worth £6.5k tops especially if you were getting rid anyway. And as a private seller you'd not get 'retail' anyway.
I'd be getting a second quote too - taking an exhaust off and a driveshaft out is basic mechanics.
Worth finding your local turbo specialist. You might find they are able to offer a more appealing approach/price
I’d be getting a second quote too – taking an exhaust off and a driveshaft out is basic mechanics.
This, unless it's somehow a really awful car to work on. The core of a turbo isn't that expensive usually (£80-£150), and that's all a refurbished turbo is, a new core in an old casing. The rest is labor (and all the ancillary bits that will also need replacing like gaskets, hoses etc) so worth asking around.
Sounds like he doesn't want the job TBH. I'd say £3.5k is main dealer pricing for a turbo, have a look around for a turbo specialist. I'd bet the cost will be half that for a new one, less again for a refurb.
Are you saying it's worth £3.5K trade-in now (i.e. broken) or that's it's value if in good running order?
Is the £6.5K 'retail' what you think it's worth in a private sale or what you see car dealers selling them for?
If it runs, I think you need a second opinion. If it's a non-runner you need to be very realistic about its value if you chose to repair it.