Trouble in paradise (1 Viewer)

[CharlieS]

I'm not overly concerned about the hidden damage. It is obviously not a major hit, and the only thing that can be damaged there is the aluminum reinforcement or the foam. If they are damaged the dealer will replace them as that is a liability on them for knowingly (because they will have to take it apart) selling the car with a damaged collision protection. It is a Mercedes dealer, not a tree shade used car dealer. Not worth for them to save a few $$$ for this. They also have insurance for f-ups that happen in their dealership so it's not like they are paying from their bottom line.
As I always say trust but verify.
You said you have a relative working there. They can keep an eye on that fix.

I bought my most recent 200 from a well reputed Lexus dealership. It had parts store crap brake pads, a stripped bolt holding the front driver caliper on, missing knobs. Never, never trust any dealer for anything... in my opinion...

 

[firepuglife]

I've done worse to my 200 and the new bumper cover and paint were a lot less than that. On my 100 they simply filled a slit/scrape that size and repainted for less than $1000.

These things are fairly easy to do with a plastic bumper cover. That looks like someone lightly backed into some kind of brick or stone divider.

these are pretty large bumpers and to match midnight black metallic is super difficult. Standard black maybe not. But There’s no way getting that paint matched to factory will run that low. Also Toyota hasn’t been selling any of the complete parts with the pearl type paint last time I tried. Usually just the base colors. Also looks like it pressed against the actual bumper, not the bumper cover. If I was paying 86k with the tag and title ontop of it, I would be pretty bummed with however it turned out unless it was perfect.

 

[stonepa]

these are pretty large bumpers and to match midnight black metallic is super difficult. Standard black maybe not. But There’s no way getting that paint matched to factory will run that low. Also Toyota hasn’t been selling any of the complete parts with the pearl type paint last time I tried. Usually just the base colors. Also looks like it pressed against the actual bumper, not the bumper cover. If I was paying 86k with the tag and title ontop of it, I would be pretty bummed with however it turned out unless it was perfect.

All true. That is why a PPI is always recommended and money well spent, especially if not a Certified vehicle from a Toyota dealer.

 

[1Maverick]

I really don't want an aftermarket bumper. At least not this early on into ownership. It sounds like the consensus is that it's most likely just cosmetic damage on that bottom bumper cover. I'm not super familiar with the make up of these trucks and wanted to see if there should be any reason for concern of additional damage in that area.

$86k is cheap with or without a oem bumper Honestly at that price, I would question why the price is so good.

 

[1Maverick]

Yup, just the headlamp retails around $1200

That’s cheap these days. My wife’s 2019 X3 “soon not be kids car” headlight was damaged and replacement is $3200. Absolutely ridiculous

 

[Specialeyes]

$86k is cheap with or without a oem bumper Honestly at that price, I would question why the price is so good.

This is precisely why I jumped on it. Haven't seen one priced that low with that low of mileage. I know better... just got caught up in the all the excitement. Stuff like this is why my last 4 vehicle purchases were brand new. I prefer not buying pre owned unless I have to.

All true. That is why a PPI is always recommended and money well spent, especially if not a Certified vehicle from a Toyota dealer.

I will be getting one done if I move forward with this purchase for sure. I'm going to give the dealer the benefit of the doubt that they did not give it a good once over either. They took it on a trade less than 24 hours before I went up there wanting to buy it. I watched their appraiser go out and walk around my 4R, check paint on the doors, jot down mileage and a vin then give me a number. A very half assed process which may explain why they first hit me with a very half assed trade value lol.

 

[PDoyle]

Looks like that damage is from possibly a fork lift fork.

 

[2021 LC200]

So I “bought” myself a 200 HE yesterday that appeared to be super clean. (1 owner, locally purchased/traded and clean carfax)

It was late in the day so I signed as much paperwork as I could but did not take the truck home since my bank could not get a cashiers check ready in time (dealer would not accept drafting)

While locking up for the night my cousin who is a salesman at the dealer sends me this pic asking if I had noticed. I told him of course not otherwise I would have spoke up before putting the deal together. Obviously this falls back on me for not being thorough enough on my inspection of the vehicle and also making some assumptions based on the carfax and overall appearance of the vehicle.

At the moment I’m waiting to hear back from the dealer on their solution. On one hand I want it fixed but I want it fixed right and with OEM parts. (It’s at a Mercedes dealership) On the other hand I’m spooked wondering what could have caused this and if I should be concerned about anything else before I move forward on handing them a check.

View attachment 3230091

I would check for damage behind the bumper and move forward ideally with some improvement in the deal. Otherwise buy and replace the bumper yourself.

 

[1Maverick]

Just in case you need to make another decision

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[Specialeyes]

Just in case you need to make another decision

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Ugh not a fan of snorkels lol.

 

[1Maverick]

Ugh not a fan of snorkels lol.

Lol! Same here. But if you get a killer deal, just replace the fender. Pretty cheap if the price is right .

 

[manofthewoods]

Looks like the PN for the bumper is 52119-6b950 with an MSRP of around $300. Another $400 or so for paint, another $300-400 for labor depending on local labor rate. That's all retail pricing, dealer should be able to get this done around $1k

I had similar damage to mine and your guesstimate is about right.
Annoying, but, not a showstopper.

 

[Katkon]

If it were me, I'd probably seek out another. If that's not possible / too hard/ or you otherwise love this vehicle, then I'd (a) have it independently inspected by a 3rd party mechanic (probably cost you a couple of hundred bucks) and (b) ask for a discount from the Merc dealer and apply that discount at a Toyota-specialized workshop for repair. Re: (a) the Merc dealer may even allow you to drive to a Toyota body shop to get the vehicle assessed and estimate the repair.... that could work.

I've had Mercedes-approved dealer body shops do bad paint repair on a Merc, so I wouldn't assume that they're "good" by virtue of being a Merc-approved shop. Instead I'd find the biggest/best Toyota body shop in your area, pay them a visit and ask for them to repair with a new OEM bumper. Just my 2c.

 

[Specialeyes]

If it were me, I'd probably seek out another. If that's not possible / too hard/ or you otherwise love this vehicle, then I'd (a) have it independently inspected by a 3rd party mechanic (probably cost you a couple of hundred bucks) and (b) ask for a discount from the Merc dealer and apply that discount at a Toyota-specialized workshop for repair. Re: (a) the Merc dealer may even allow you to drive to a Toyota body shop to get the vehicle assessed and estimate the repair.... that could work.

I've had Mercedes-approved dealer body shops do bad paint repair on a Merc, so I wouldn't assume that they're "good" by virtue of being a Merc-approved shop. Instead I'd find the biggest/best Toyota body shop in your area, pay them a visit and ask for them to repair with a new OEM bumper. Just my 2c.

You pretty much just echoed my sentiments. Right now dealer is being pushy, definitely giving me “take it or leave it” vibes clamoring about how they have 10 other people who have inquired about it. My rebuttal to that is that I’m sure they do, but all 10 of those folks are thinking it’s a clean truck just like I did.

I’ve asked them to discount the deal by $2k and let me take it to get a PPI done and they say they don’t want me dragging out the process with an inspection because they think they can sell it to someone else. (Today apparently) I’m half ready to hop back in my 4R (dealer has it, I’m in one of their loaners) and just keep searching. Just sucks because this one checked a lot of my boxes.

 

[Specialeyes]

I can’t blame 10+ people inquiring based on these pics they uploaded.

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[Tripledave]

I'd drive away, that is if they have not sold your 4R already. Bad joke, but I've seen worse from dealers. They are crooks and shady at best. It sucks that buying a vehicle often turns into a sh!t show. I hope all goes well man!

 

[prwillard2]

I'd drive away, that is if they have not sold your 4R already. Bad joke, but I've seen worse from dealers. They are crooks and shady at best. It sucks that buying a vehicle often turns into a sh!t show. I hope all goes well man!

Exactly, tell them to return your 4R to you as you're prepared to walk away. I bet they change their tune. They're going to make money from you on the 4R trade and this sale. They'll cave if you tell them to return your 4R.

And if they give you the 4R and you walk away, you can feel good about sticking to your guns.

 

[Specialeyes]

Exactly, tell them to return your 4R to you as you're prepared to walk away. I bet they change their tune. They're going to make money from you on the 4R trade and this sale. They'll cave if you tell them to return your 4R.

And if they give you the 4R and you walk away, you can feel good about sticking to your guns.

Ya, the frustrating thing is knowing they have money in the deal to get this done. A cousin of mine is a salesman there and of course is who I’m working with. Dealer has around $8k profit in this as it stands.

They took the Cruiser in at $82k and have my trade at $45k which is low but I felt like the price on the LC was reasonable enough to accept. (They originally offered $40k for my 4R lol)

A good guy I met here thru Mud helped me out by pulling MMR values on my 4R and they are going for high 40’s right now on average.

 

[prwillard2]

Ya, the frustrating thing is knowing they have money in the deal to get this done. A cousin of mine is a salesman there and of course is who I’m working with. Dealer has around $8k profit in this as it stands.

They took the Cruiser in at $82k and have my trade at $45k which is low but I felt like the price on the LC was reasonable enough to accept. (They originally offered $40k for my 4R lol)

A good guy I met here thru Mud helped me out by pulling MMR values on my 4R and they are going for high 40’s right now on average.

Definitely time to be prepared to walk away. I'd tell them to give you the 4R back. With that level of profit, they have plenty of wiggle room.

 

[Katkon]

Exactly, tell them to return your 4R to you as you're prepared to walk away. I bet they change their tune. They're going to make money from you on the 4R trade and this sale. They'll cave if you tell them to return your 4R.

And if they give you the 4R and you walk away, you can feel good about sticking to your guns.

It concerns me that they weren't proactively transparent in sharing the damage. That combined with their pushy sales tactics make me wonder if there's other stuff they're not being transparent about.

Don't know who you're talking to, but I'd politely ask to chat with the Sales Manager. If he/she doesn't welcome an independent inspection then that'd be a red flag.... at least for me. I bought a used BMW from a BMW dealer years ago, and they were more than happy to have someone inspect it - even put it up on a lift so the guy could check out the undercarriage. It costs them literally nothing to support you in this manner. And, if they have 10 other buyers lined up (which is of course BS - the LC is an acquired taste), then if it fails your inspection they have 10 other buyers to sell to.

It would suck to have to walk away from an otherwise perfect vehicle, but I suspect you wouldn't regret it in the end, if push comes to shove. Will take you just a couple of weeks - worst case months - to find the perfect next best alternative.

PS. I tend to buy new cars, as I've had mixed luck with used. Bought a used BMW which was independently inspected - and genuinely good. Bought a used Mini which was independently inspected and apparently in immaculate "like new" condition. It did look good, though it had some minor mechanical issues. Years later I took it to Carmax to sell who informed that every body panel except 1 had been repainted. Wtf?! So I decided to preferably buy new or do more research on inspectors. A Toyota body shop would be a good place to go because they WANT to find issues (to fix, at your expense).

Good luck!