After reading up on them and such, I have come quite close to purchasing my first diesel. 1985 300D with turbo, gold with palomino (?) MB-Tex interior. The carpets are quite stained and such, but the MB-Tex appears that it will clean up. Neither the gas gauge nor the front passenger and back driver's windows work. No rust that I could find (I can't say that I am experienced in these things, but I checked the wheel wells and the door sills as was recommended...?). Drove nicely, somewhat loud, but tis a diesel. It has 311,xxx miles and the gold paint is getting rather thin, with several dollar-bill sized spots down to primer. Air conditioner has recently gone out (after apparently a slow leak and rounds of recharges, owner who used to fix air conditioners thinks a hose might have burst), but the heater does work. Sunroof is operational. The brakes were redone recently and as such its stops quite nicely. The radio works, which after driving the Packard (that has a vacuum tube AM radio that sucks power even if it doesn't work) is marvelous. No exhaust grumbles or any smoke seen whilst driving. I would have snapped photographs, but the thought did not cross my mind until later; it is within walking distance of my house, so pictures are easily procurable. For $1500, does this sound like a dependable daily driver? I am quite giddy at the prospect of getting it and am afraid of not thinking this clearly through

Also, may I inquire from any fellow Birminghamians out there where a stuitable mechanic might practice?

Thank you so very much, sorry for the extra-long post.

-I.H.Dexter