turbodiesel,

The extended warranty is the result of a class action law suit that MB settled because the Flexible Service System (FSS) was calibrated on synthetic oil but the manual and technical data for the owner and apparently the dealer service department did not make it clear you needed synthetic oil. I believe this system, depending on your driving style, will alert you to change oil between 7,500 and 15,000 miles. On our 1999 C230 Kompressor I remember I could set it for a long or short interval. I ignored it and changed every 3,000 miles using 15W-50 Mobil 1 at the time.

Some people suffered damages when they used dino oil, apparently, and the MB settlement of the suit resulted in an extended warranty and one free synthetic oil change for each FSS afflicted vehicle sold before the requirement for synthetic oil if you use FSS was made clear. The settlement goes to second and third, etc. owners.

So, I would research this information with the dealer that serviced the car and find out what oil he used. They normally write it down on the service record in book for the car, but they should be able to dig up what they use from their own records if they did not record it in the car's service book. If not, I would shy away from the car. It cost MB a lot settle, so there must be something to the issue and this car you are checking is on the other side of the mileage barrier.

Good Luck! Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)