Really, I want to look at a 300sd with 371K on the clock. It's selling for $3700, price has already dropped from $4400. That seems kinda nuts to me that I want to even spend two hours driving to go look at it. It's owned by an older gentleman who owns an auto shop. So he's had a lot done to it (who wouldn't in that situation.) 18k on new engine and fuel injector pump (pepiest diesel he has ever driven), new steering box, New turbo, tie rod ends, climate controls, AC compressor (but he said he's replaced it at least twice, and he's only driven it about 17K in last 6-7 years, strange... still old style too, hasn't converted it), Tires good, filters, windshield, blah blah blah. He almost forgot to mention that he had it repainted 3 years ago. All power everything works, it even has heated seats and headrests all the way around. He thinks he's the second owner (need to carfax if I decide I'm not too crazy) and doesn't know if tranny has been worked on. He suspects so because he says it works really well, but the 1-2 shift is kinda hard, and he claims he thinks that's they way they were, his other is like that. Tranny leaks 1/4 of 1 quart every 5-6 months. He has not pinpointed where it is coming from, although he thinks it is in the rear. Cruise does not work. Interior great with one small crack on dash says he. Passenger leather stitching looks like it is getting thin though he says. Who cares.

The real crux of the issue is, am I insane? I probably spend 4-8 hours a day looking for MB's or reading the forum on things I have never seen in real life: ALDA, banjo bolt, EGR... I do it at work, and then sometimes at home. I'm considering buying on the east or west coast or Florida, flying out and driving it back home (I'm convinced there are more and therefore cheaper, plus I want a road trip.) I've even been calling on these. All this because some guy drove his 300d to work with for sale signs in it (see the third car here: 3 choices) which he'll sell to me for $3500 buy the way. We talked at work the other day, he knows his car well.

I feel like I'm obsessive compulsive. I don't flip the light switch 4 times and perform a do-si-do every time I leave a room or something. But before this it was lifting about 4 hours a day, then Hobie sailing, then mountain bike research until I sold the Hobie to buy one, then guitar research, then table saws... With the occasional nothing in-between. Now, stupid MB's. I wish I could channel my efforts into something a bit more productive, like my job maybe, or econometrics, or more guitar playing, or write a thesis (who cares if I'm not it school anymore.) But instead it damn diesel MB's. My girlfriend says I'm nuts, "There are other nice cars out there you know. It doesn't have to be a MB, and certainly not diesel. If you just want a nice car that can cruise at 90 or 100, you can get an Accord or Saab or something, even a Saturn would work. Why does it have to be a damn 300sd. And you already have a reliable vehicle, you have your truck." Yeah, but it's not quite the same.

So am I nuts? Is this a place for fellow crazies to gather and feel kinda normal? Should i quit cold turkey? Oh please knowledgeable ones of the Mercedesshop Forum, grace me with your knowledge and advice!

From my padded cube at work,

Brandon