Are 1999 E300 Turbo Diesels only city cars and shouldn't be taken farther from home t

[Graham]

In this link, EDBSO said

Are 1999 E300 Turbo Diesels only city cars and shouldn't be taken farther from home than you can afford to have them dragged back home?

I don't have a diesel E-Class, but I sometimes wonder same about our 98 E320 gasser.

We use the e-class for long trips, usually to USA to get away from our winter. Mostly SC but sometimes Florida. I have several $$$$ and $$$ bills from the Myrtle Beach dealer and an Indy down there. A cat converter a few years back, bad brake vibration another time, broken serpentine belt (had to be towed) and this year ABS/ASR/BAS lights (which cost me money and was never fixed until a DIY back home).

But I think this is to be expected. the cars are not new and ours doesnt get much use at home. Real test of aging parts is when we do the long trips. Thinking it might soon be time for an upgrade, but the car still looks and runs like new!