Although I didn't get any history when I bought my 603, my mechanic looked at it and said, "The head's been replaced." I suspect a PO overheated and cracked the original. The replacement head is unfortunately another #14 but so far it is OK except that the valve guides/seals leak such that the car smokes a little and I have to add some oil occasionally. Given the cost of a replacement head, I've decided to put up with the smoke and just drive the car.

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970