Where's a source of a second hand (but working without issues!) or a cheap new front SAM? The car still has issues and while I'm not broke I am badly bent...

Unfortunately, what cannot be detected with thorough time spent with the car in question, is what will break in the near - short term. These cars are all out of warranty when we buy them, unless someone got a warranty outside the SBC systems.
What I am on high alert for when assessing the car in person is trying to find what they may be concealing from you in the way of information. Even though I bought my used CDI from a MB dealer, I still was suspect for concealed band-aided issues or broken items. My car sales rep. got testy when I pressed about any kind of warranty the car came with. It was 100% as - is, so the onus was all on me to assess the car. I was only interested in the car at or very near my low ball offer, so they wanted to close the deal without delay on my end. I was ready to walk if the deal was not what I wanted. That may have worked for me on the deal. Who knows where their bottom line or patience limit was.

I will say this; if you use KBB Blue Book low, average retail price on the car, you won't be too far off a good deal. What's not possible to know is what's going to break/fail going forward. That's just part of buying these without warranties at their age.

I don't like to mess with em unless they have about 200k miles on em. That insures they have worked all the bugs out

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Jim

eBay or LKQ

But be careful, you may run into version coding / married to the original VIN issues....not sure on the 211 if they made it like that or not. EPC should give a clue in the notes.

I would try opening the case and checking for contamination or cold solder joints first.

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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

Nice! That's what I like to see.
The price you paid was good considering everything. You really did your homework and scored.

I just got a call from the transporter. Car was picked up yesterday in Naples, FL and will be here in NC between 8 & 10 AM tomorrow. So, if the weather is good I will post some pics. I have never spent this much money on a car with putting my eyes and hands on it. I even broke my own rule and did not have a PPI done.

Tom

Only time and driving it will tell you. At the low price you paid, and the low miles, you might have the score of the year. Or maybe you will need to spend a few thousand the first couple of years on normal wear and tear items that need replacing due to them being worn/weak.

New Michelins, a new AGM battery and a complete brake job would run over $1K, for example.

Personally, I'd rather have a cream puff in miles and condition as yours is reported to be. At low dollars out of pocket, you can afford to spend a couple three grand the first couple three years and still feel good about the purchase. That's my take on it anyway.

Has the SBC system been replaced under the MB 10 year warranty?

The CDI arrived on Wednesday night, but due to weather conditions and other things going on I did not have a chance to check it out until yesterday. It drives great, smooth, no squeaks, plenty of power and stops on a dime. Everything I tried worked, except the driver's seat headrest.

After the drive I got the car on the lift, removed the diapers and checked out the underside. Everything was dry - no leaks at all - rotors/pads are like new - Michelin Pilots have 9/32's - very clean front to rear - battery date 4/2013.

I spent the next 5 hours cleaning the excess wax from all the cracks, trim, etc. Of course in doing that I found every nick, chip, boo-boo in the paint, grill, lights and bumper covers. I know it is 11+ years old and traveled almost 80,000 miles so I should not expect it to be perfect.

Now on to the interior!!

Tom

Try manipulating the switch a little for the headrest. I know on my 05 E320 wagon it has to be in just the right position to operate the head rest.

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Jim

Thanks Jim. I should have given details - I can hear the motor run - up & down - the headrest is not connected to whatever. The next step is to remove the seat back and have a look unless there is a special way to insert the headrest into the seat.

Tom

Pictures?