...What do you guys think? Will this be a good car with that much mileage, or just a problem? I used to have a '90 300E with 145,000 miles on it that was a nightmare....that is why I am looking at a diesel. Thanks -- Mike

This is the age where items that were poorly maintained start can have problems. Look for service records, some proof of a good oil change history, and a general adherence to the recommended service schedule. How well does the tranny shift when warm? Are there any front end noises? Does the AC work? Who will work on the car, you or some mechanic that needs to make airalne payments?

The price of the car should be based on what it is, not what it was. It was a high priced luxury car when new that cost the same as new S class in 2003 dollars. It is now a 20 year old car with a couple hundred thousand miles on it.

I bought the wife's car with 300K miles on it and do not regret it, but the car was cheap, the service history was known, and I do all my own work on it.

Jerry

mickey-az,

I have an '80 300SD with 250,000 miles and I expect it to last for a long time. There are things that will need to be fixed now and then but look at it this way: I haven't had any monthly payments for 12 years and won't have any in the future so I can afford to pay for some repairs now and then.

Will it nickel and dime me to death? Nickels and dimes I can afford so as long as the engine doesn't need any major repairs, I expect it to run it for a lomg time. Did I mention no monthly payments. I've been keeping it running for about what one monthly payment on a new car would cost per year. I'll keep it running for years on just what the sales tax on a new car would cost.

You are probably getting the '83 for not much money so you can afford to spend thousands for repairs and it will still cost a lot less than a new car or expensive used car. You are getting the most reliable car ever made, at least the drive train. Did I mention no monthly payments or at least not very many? You have to look at the overall cost over many years. Ever think about depriciation, you have practically none.

Just my 2 cents.

P E H

PEH,

You're preaching to the choir, I'm already a dedicated oilburner. You probably meant this reply for mickey-az.

Later

JerryBro,

Yes I meant the post for mickey-az. My error. I'll edit it.

P E H

Thanks guys for your posts. The idea of no monthly car payments sounds very appealing. I did a lot of the work on my previous 300E myself. I currently drive a '94 BMW 540i with 107,000 miles on it, and although I love to drive the bimmer, car payments are no fun (and the thought of having to fix a V-8). -- Mike