Just got a call and the group made it to their condo in Carlsbad, California within the last few hours. The odometer reached 298,950 when my daughter parked it tonight. The trip across the desert was a little challenging, as the heat was on all the time and the windows open with the outside air temperature pretty high. The engine never went over 105*C but it threw more oil than usual at the elevated temps going up mountains. Too bad about the rear seal, but I don't see that kind of money being invested in this car. Coming down the mountains it dropped to the mid 80's C.

She says there are loads of similarly aged Diesels in the neighborhood, unlike out East. And they don't have the rust hers has. Overall she figures the car will be pretty comfortable there, even if it has a few more battle scars. She parks it on a white driveway, and so she puts cardboard under the car to catch the dripping oil.

She will be sending some photos soon, so I will post a few of them when I get them. Thanks again for all the offers of support. Thankfully they had no unanticipated problems getting there. Thanks again, 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)