When I bought my 300E in October of 98, I never really tried to run the A/C much (stupid move). It was cool anyway, but as it warmed up in the spring, realized that there was a leak, since I was getting warm air too.

Dealership diagnosed that the evaporator needed to be replaced. That requires the removal of the dash and an expensive unit which totaled $1800 (I guess the previous owner found that out too and cut his losses). Fortunately, I had purchased an extended warranty, so I was out the $250 deductible instead.

I had a really nice Jag convertible that also had the evaporator go out the following year. Quoted about $3000 for its replacement including labor, so I cut my losses and traded it in for the 500SL we now have.

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car