If a dealer is asking $2900. for an SD in reasonably good condition, you had better be very wary. Check this vehicle out thoroughly including taking a close look at the front end to see if any replacement parts have ever been installed. If they have not, you are looking at about $1K in parts alone.

Check out the a/c. It's also likely to be $1K if it does not work.

Drive it carefully and look for signs that the transmission is on the way out. Flaring between shifts could be a vacuum issue, or it could be getting time for a new transmission. $1.5K minimum if you install it yourself.

See how it starts on a cold morning. How long to crank it? This will not tell you, with any assurance, of the condition of the engine, but, if it cranks for 10-15 seconds, you already know, as a minimum, you have starting issues to deal with.

Can you get anyone to do a compression check? With 190K on the clock, the engine could have another 190K left in it. Alternatively, it could have another 1K left in it, if it was poorly cared for.

Get underneath it, in the back, and check the condition of the axle shafts. If the boots are cracked, you will need new shafts almost immediately. $200. for the pair if you do it yourself.


Most of these dealers are clueless as to the real condition of the vehicle. Don't buy it because the price is $1000. less than any other vehicle around.

Remember, and remember well:

There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes-Benz.