Well I bit the bullet and bought a diesel, this one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=300046407853&rd=1,1

I had a long chat with the selling dealer and with the mechanic who has been servicing it for the last 7 years (BTW he did the head 4 years ago).

I can't thank you all enough for all of the information I have learned during my short time here. It helped enormously in my search and evaluations. I hope to be a member of this forum for a long time to come.

I have a lot of mechanical experience (both past pro and current amateur), also with a couple of MB gasser V8's. I am really looking forward to putting this car into pristine condition, though by the description and my conversations, it shouldn't take much.

I'm flying in to drive it home 2500 miles early next week. Any additional precautions or recomendations? I will check the major issues before handing over the money. The seller is doing a partial service for me (oil change) and I will verify all other fluids, etc. and road test it thouroughly.

Thanks

Gregg