[B]ig[B]oy

Hey guys I have just found the forum due to my researching the W210 platform MB's, specifically a 1998 E300 Turbodiesel. A guy I work with is getting a new car and is looking at selling his. He drives it about 120 miles a day when commuting to and from work. The car now has 394,xxx miles of freeway driving on it. He is the original owner and has most of the service records. He is asking $3500. The car looks to be in great shape and would seem to be pretty reliable to have for a 120 mile commute every day. I currently have a Jeep Cherokee that gets a measly 10-12 MPG and with todays fuel prices, this 30 MPG diesel is very attractive. I just worry that I may be forking out more for maintenance and repairs to counter what seems like a good price for a car. Any advise you guys may have, I would really appreciate.

mi benz

The maintenance/repair costs can be considerable on any high mileage car- especially a Mercedes. I bought my '98 with just under 200K mi a bit over 2 years ago and have put more into repairs than I paid for the car.

Are you in the rust belt? Search on "spring perch"

How often has he changed the trans fluid?

$3500 is pretty good, but it could become a money pit. If you can afford the repairs and like MB, then it could be a good experience. If you absolutely need this car to get you to work every day, and you are not a DIYer, then it could be a nightmare and strain your relationship with the seller.

You can find more reliable Honda's and Toyota's that will get better fuel economy (on cheaper fuel)

just food for thought.

Good luck

Musikmann

Ditto to everything ml benz said. Great car but too many miles, I'd pass.

Plutoe

Sound advice-----let a school teacher or grand mother dive into this one!! 3500 bucks can purchase a much more reliable and less costly to maintain ride!!