we are here, it's just logical. with that taxicab mileage, how much maintenance do you think was done? sure, mostly highway miles, but if only 1/2 the recommended oil changes were done, the motor is looking for the grave. there is a LOT of gearing and chain to deal with on that car, and there is the seized glow plug issue as well to think about.
now, if you are a scammer flipper, you might snow someone into paying high bucks for the car if you detail it well, and roll the miles back, and sell it with undisclosed miles... gloss the tires and dash and seats to a high shine with plenty of armorall....

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

You have been reading too many ebay adds. High milage cars of any brand unless maintained very well can easily be an endless money pit.

Maybe I'm assuming (possibly incorrectly) that anyone buying this car would be doing much of the service themselves. I know I wouldn't buy a high mileage car for myself if I couldn't turn a wrench.

If that could be verified, that would be a significant factor to consider.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 154k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 172k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

You are correct, that you are incorrect. The vast majority of people who buy used Mercedes don't do their own maintenance. Based on my experience, a higher-mileage car with a lower price only attracts people who didn't think they could afford a Mercedes, or who are mainly shopping for an older model.

I can't imagine why anyone would try to flip a car with 350k anyway. Considerations:

1. First, everyone who calls about it will ask if you have records. There are no records, that's why it's at auction. Immediate downside.

2. It will probably take time to move it, regardless of price, with that mileage. During that time all manner of small things can go wrong with a high-mileage car. You won't have any margins to speak of to absorb a whole lot of fixes, even if you can do them. (And I highly doubt that any auction after-sale 'guarantees' will be in force with this car due to its mileage.)

I actually like high-mileage cars... if they come with a story (records). This is a stray dog that someone used up and now has placed at the kennel (auction).

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

I think there is a certain price point where some of us on this forum would bite regardless of the high miles. I'm certainly willing to take a chance if the price is right.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 154k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 172k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

It's not a 123. Spring perches etc... these things look like attractive propositions but in my opinion Old Time Benzes they ain't.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

It looked to be in good mechanical shape. The engine idled smooth and quiet, went into drive and reverse positively. The body and interior were a bit beat up, large dent on right door, big cut in rear seat, worn trim, etc. I stopped at $1,800 and another bidder got it for $1,900, about $2,100 with the fees. Didn't go home empty handed as I picked up a much newer Hyundai Sonata with nearly as much miles for $1200.

Sales price sounds about right to me. They weren't bringing it to auction to take $1,000 for it.

This is EXCELLENT advice!

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

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