OK - here's the $64,000 question -

On average (average being the key word here) what would you say you spend annually on maintenance for your MB?? I have heard $1,000/year up to $3,000/year (not 190E owners exclusively).

Mine is an '85 190E with 130k miles on it - timing chain is a likely culprit for some new and not-too-pleasant noises. Probable $1,000 fix for this. My wife and I aren't excited about the $2-3k/year maintenance outlook. Is this realistic? High? Low? Any other things I should look/listen for??

TIA-

Stephen Davis
MBCA - N. Texas
1985 190E 2.3ltr. with an unpleasant *tinking* noise..