I got a W220 for $200. (Part II)

"Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert" (joshuagilbert)
05/14/2014 at 13:29 • Filed to: Charity

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! So I purchased the keys for the S500 for $250 for the Mercedes dealership. On Tuesday, I got a call saying that the keys were ready. Sean (my best friend, Mustang driver, and fellow gearhead) headed with me over to the Merc dealer in my parent's MDX. We pulled into the alley where the Merc had been towed behind the service center. At first, we intended to start it, so we knew we needed to jump the car. The car was completely lifeless and didn't respond to the key fob, so we returned in a half hour with jumper cables. The car's systems sprung to life, as well as the alarm system. The Mercedes mechanics started giving us curious looks, but thankfully the fob was correctly paired with the car, and I was able to deactivate the alarm.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I climbed into the front seat and tried to turn it over, but only a faint click emitted from the ignition motor. We let it sit for another 10 minutes, but the old Mercedes wet-cell battery was completely dead, even with the assistance of the MDX's power. Mercedes wanted $247 for a new battery. Two local stores all wanted $186 for a drycell Duracell Platinum battery. Another store wanted $156? for a Duracell Gold drycell battery, but eventually I found a $136 Advance Auto Parts store brand (I'm not sure what it's called) "Silver" wetcell. It was the cheapest, so I bought it. An hour later, as severe thunderstorms began their decent on Northern Virginia. Culpeper and Loudoun counties had severe weather alarms, and lighting streaked the sky every five seconds. As the downpour started, we pulled into the Merc parking lot again, and in the pouring rain, did the battery swap. (Note, the previous owner unintentionally left an umbrella for us, but this is still stupid.)

The car did not hesitate. It turned over in less than a second. The air ride sprung to life. The horn honked. The windows rolled up and down. All the lights worked. I put it in gear. It moved. This car was magic. After seeing this 88 thousand dollar relic parked in the local grocery store parking garage and taking the initiative to bring it through this process, it was still unbelievable that NOTHING was wrong with this car. At all. The odometer read 47428. I powered on the radio and R&B music started playing off a 20-year old CD. The gameboy-esque COMMAND Nav system gave a rough picture of where we were. And the built-in Motorola flip phone started beeping as the dashboard read TEL NO SERVICE.

We slapped some plates from another family car we had just returned, (for the sake of having current plates while we moved it,) drove it to the local gas station, filled the tires, cleaned out the fuel, and then drove it to my garage, all in a torrential downpour wherein both of us had forgotten to wear anything but thin t-shirts.

We spent all night polishing, cleaning, and vacuuming this car, after which we did a through investigation of all the legal papers in the car.

We did a lot of research last night, and with all the extra features available on this car, it is worth at least 8,700-9,000 on Kelly Blue Book. But considering it's low milage, it can be sold for $11-13k on Cars.com. I think I can afford to make down payment on my own car and the car of my aforementioned family friend who is in need of a new car.

Updates, pictures to come.

DISCUSSION (14)

Jagvar > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
05/14/2014 at 13:37

I absolutely love reading stories like this, and am glad the Merc is getting a new lease on life. Any idea what year it is? From the taillights, it looks like a 2000-2002.

Any idea who the original owner was, and did you find out when/why it was abandoned in the first place?

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > Jagvar
05/14/2014 at 13:40

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/i-got-a-w220-f…
It is a 2000 with an AMG sport package. The original owner was an elderly African-American woman with cancer (what we picked up from all the handwritten hospital directions and Gospel/R&B/Celine Dion CDs) who passed away and left her car in a grocery store garage near her apartment. Her family is quite well-off and didn't bother to dispose of the vehicle.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
05/14/2014 at 13:41

This is something I would love to try, though I know it would never make money at it.

Stupidru > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
05/14/2014 at 13:51

So let me get this straight... you got the keys to an early 2000s Merc for $250, bought a $136 battery and drove it away? Is it even legally yours?

MonkeePuzzle > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
05/14/2014 at 13:51

"the mirrors rolled up and down"

Kinja'd!!!

MonkeePuzzle > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
05/14/2014 at 13:53

"all in a torrential downpour wherein both of us had forgotten to wear anything but thin t-shirts." oh my, do tell us more ;)

Kinja'd!!!

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > MonkeePuzzle
05/14/2014 at 13:53

HAHA I type too fast. Thanks for the catch bro.

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > MonkeePuzzle
05/14/2014 at 13:54

Exactly that. Just imagine a lot more engine grease and split gasoline, and less abs.

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > Stupidru
05/14/2014 at 13:55

Yes, it is. I got the title from DMV. Please read Part I.

Stupidru > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
05/14/2014 at 13:56

How does one go about repo-ing an abandoned car?

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > Stupidru
05/14/2014 at 13:57

For Virginia.

48 hours parked on public or private property. Absent or uncontactable owner.

Give dmv VIN online. Certified letter is sent to owner if registered in VA. If not, you must make record request for out of state.

First letter "21 days, move it or ask help from finder. No response and well send you another letter."

Second letter "21 days and finder has right to auction, tow, sell, or purchase title to your vehicle."

42 days later...new plates. Yup

Bengal55 > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
05/14/2014 at 15:15

Amazing story, It's hard to fathom that anyone (or their family in this case) would abandon a S500, even in this area. Even more shocking that HT didn't have it towed and let it set for 3 years.

Good luck with the car and getting her ready to sell, any idea what you'll use the down payment money on?

Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
05/15/2014 at 00:17

Awesome job, but never jump start an S-Class. Always trickle charge it. Double check all the systems work.

Matthew Phillips > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
05/15/2014 at 00:29

I'll trade you a Taurus for it :p