Update on the Pook, the short version:

Things never got better, despite changing out the fuel filters several times and my husband changing the oil. Couldn't even get the car up the hill near my house this morning, so I took it to Salim's Silver Star, which is a place in town that only deals in fixing Mercedes. Left it there and Salim took me home so he could take a look at it. Just got a call a few minutes ago. The exact words from the lady at the desk: "He says the engine is shot."

I know no details other than that. I'll know more once I get a chance to go pick it up.

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1983 240D, 272K+ miles (odo broke)