Too many vehicles, too few resources, so my Mercedes diesel, Donderbenz, has to find a new home. The car is located in central Indiana, in the northwest corner of Indianapolis.

Automatic transmission, power steering, the original Becker AM-FM radio, air conditioning, power windows, sunroof. Built like a tank and runs strong. About 287,000 miles so far. It gets around 24 miles per gallon.

The good: Brand new (less than one month old) Michelin tires; oil change with Mobil One Turbo Diesel 5W-40 and new oil filter performed last month along with new air filter; fuel tank drained and filled with fresh diesel and both fuel filters replaced two weeks ago. Other work performed over the past few years includes new front coil springs, new timing chain, rebuilt cylinder head with new valves installed, new radiator, hoses and thermostat, new motor mounts and transmission mounts, new alternator, new ceramic brake pads. It has a block heater installed so it can be plugged in during cold weather for quicker starting.

The bad: Transmission seal leaks; transmission sometimes flares between shifts, particularly in cold weather. Air conditioning system has been converted from R-12 to R-134, but it needs a charge (it wasn't very hot this past summer, and it worked well enough). Front driver's seat could stand to be rebuilt, or you could just put a pad on it as we have done for the past four years.

The ugly: Rust is starting at the corners of the fenders and quarter panels and a few other places. There is a dent in the right rear quarter panel and a scrape on the right rear door as a result of sliding on black ice and connecting with a road sign. Overall, this car is in good shape for a 27-year-old. It is a dependable daily driver, and a pretty comfortable Interstate cruiser.

Photos are available at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/katzenfinch/MercedesW12302#