25,000 Miles per year at $0.60 per Mile is $15,000 in your pocket (tax free).

Would it really be 25,000 Miles per year and for how many years? Assuming yes, then figure out if the projected $15,000 covers your liability.

By my math $15,000 covers things nicely even with a gas hog like the 300E. You own it already and it essentially has zero resell value. Why not maintain it to the hilt and drive it into the ground. The big variable is the maintenance investment needed to make it 100%, mission critical reliable.

Assuming 25,000 Miles per year:

Gas - Figure 20 MPG so 1,250 Gallons at $3.00 is ~$3,750
Insurance, registration, inspection ~$1,250

The property itself has almost no value now, so take that out of the equation.

Now decide if you can keep it on the road at 100% reliability for $10,000 per year. Is there enough wiggle room/profit to justify the risk?

To me, this is model where otherwise valueless Mercedes make the MOST sense.

__________________
Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230