I recentely went through the receipts on a one-owner 300SD that I just bought. Most were indys, some dealer.

$1400 to rebuild the vacuum lock system.
$2500 for Mercedes rebuilt trans.
$1000 for radiator, water pump, and fan clutch
$1300 for AC compressor, hoses and freon.
$1700 for brakes including calipers
$850 for 2 (!) window regulators
$550 for new alternator

Many more over a thousand.

No wonder people think Mercedes are so expensive.

I saw his loan papers too. The car cost $38,000 and his payments were $1450/month. In 1981!

I repaired the cruise control on the same car (est was $900 at the POs indy) for nada. Resoldered all joints except IC's and compared to a known good one for solder bridges. Works perfect.

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1984 300Sd 210k

Former cars:
1984 300D 445k (!!) (Strider) Original (and not rebuilt) engine and transmission. Currently running on V80 ( 80% vegetable oil, 20% petroleum products). Actually not, taking a WVO break.
1993 300d 2.5 275k. Current 120/day commuter
1981 300SD 188k (Hans) Killed by a deer