Jake,

I bought my for $6k at 100kmiles with no service records,and it has turned out to be flawless... Mine does not have heated seats, nor the parktronic system. I average 26 to 27mpg with the tires inflated to 38lbs. Mine spends 1/3 of the time off road, 1/3 of the time hauling car parts, and 1/3 time in long distance drive. I drive mine hard. Im constantly shampooing the carpets two to three times a month, so it does not look i haul car parts...

The worry for you is not how many service records you have, and when it was serviced, but when the K2 bearing will fail on you.. And when it does fails on you. You will cry like no tomorrow since that transmission is not a normal transmission. The back end is different as the tail end of it mates upto a transfer case, yet very rare to find a replacement to make a swap...Consider getting a 2000+ to avoid the K2 bearing issue.

Remember, This model does not have conventional bearings in the front, and they need to be pressed out with a 20 ton press, not a cheap 10 ton. The process is royal pain for these sealed bearings, and the special spring compressor that is just big dollars... one last thing? The $700 to $1000 front CV joints...

I mention this: I'm in need of CV joints, and front bearing. I'm in need of a rear engine seal too... I do wish I had a conventional wagon...as this would be easy to DIY..

Consider your decision carefully...I would get a 2000+. Mine has been flawless, but do change out all your drive train fluids as the transfer case by Mercedes standards does not have any "User serviceable parts"...

Best of luck,

Martin