iuecon99, how many miles are on this 1998 E320? It's likely the voltage regulator needs to be replaced ... a simple and inexpensive DIY repair. No reason to junk the car until diagnosing the problem.

You may have heard the adage "there is nothing more expensive than a cheap MB automobile". Before buying any MB automobile, it is prudent to have a MB-trained tech perform a PPI (pre-purchase inspection). That will provide you with an evaluation of the car's existing condition and what major repairs are pending. It's an expensive proposition to buy any vehicle whose owner failed to perform any preventive maintenance. MB automobiles are relatively inexpensive to maintain if one has basic DIY ability for brake pad replacement, rotor replacement, oil changes, air filter changes, transmission fluid changes, spark plug changes, etc.

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Fred Hoelzle