There is one rule to follow when looking at cars like these:

"There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Benz"

I've bought cars like these before and got burned. Either buy a better (lower mileage/service records/etc) one, or buy a different car.

For $2k you can buy an older Taurus or Accord if you want cheap transportation. It will outlast any 300E with 317k miles!

I once bought a Miata even though I wanted an older SL. Could only afford some older, high mileage beat-up SL's. I'm so glad I didn't buy one at the time. I have a 560SL now, after driving that Miata for 4+ years! (only planned to keep the Miata temporarily...)

Neal

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'83 300SD 335,000km (207k) mi SOLD
'87 560SL 163,000km (101k mi) SOLD
'86 300SDL 356,000km (220k mi) SOLD
'92 500SEL 250,000km (155k mi) SOLD
'90 300SL 140,000km (87k mi) SOLD
'01 S430 260,000km (161k mi) SOLD
'03 SL500 167,000km (104k mi) SOLD
'07 S550 4MATIC 235,000km (146k mi) SOLD
'07 GL320 CDI 4MATIC 348,000km (215k mi)
'13 GL350 BlueTec 4MATIC 170,000km (105k mi)
'14 SL550 72,000km (43k mi)