2001 Mercedes Benz C320 with 6 cylinder engine, automatic transmission, and 123,000 miles. One owner. I'm looking at it tomorrow at a small dealership nearby, he has the Carfax. I'm just nervous about the high mileage. Please if anyone can give me any helpful tips or questions I should ask, please let me know. This will be my first Mercedes and my friend who's a mechanic doesn't deal with them. So on the road for a new mechanic as well! Thanks for the help!

You must get a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) before buying something like that if you don't know what to look for. The dealership can do this for you for $100-200 depending on how greedy they are.

Usually its not the drivetrain that's the issue but other little items that can add up quickly if you're not the DIY type.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Nice car, decent price. Don't let the 123k worry you; that car should be able to hit 200k. You'll need about $1000 a year in repairs, regardless. And I second that - get it inspected. Crucial.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

I looked at multiple C-class's with those kinds of miles,the same year range, and for the same money(6-8k) before I bought my 87 300d. The things that scared me away was that everyone of them had so many little things in the interior that were broken/non functioning, and they all had worn front suspension issues. I just didnt like the thought of having to put, like said above about $1000 into it a year. Makes sense that I bought a 24 year old car instead right?

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1987 300D(Erma)- #14 head, 193k
2003 TDI Beetle sold
1985 300sd sold
1987 300D(Ursala)- #14 head, 157k when sold
1987 300D(Wilbur)- #14head, 356,000+miles, sold after 7 days of owning it.
1992mercedes 300d- totaled and in a junk yard somewhere..
1983 mercedes 300sd- scrapped
1980 mercedes 300sd first mercedes diesel-sold

If you are north of Boston, I can give you the name of my indy. He does great work at reasonable prices. He takes care of my 3 MBs.

I would run away from this year of vehicle. About 5 years ago, I bought a certified pre-owned C320 2002 w/32K, and it was the worst vehicle I ever owned. I rid myself of it after 2 years. Fortunately, the items that broke were warranty items. IMO, Mercedes used subpar quality parts on this car across the board. To give you an idea of some of the items that were replaced:

1. Transmission at 36K
2. Lower control arms
3. Replaced steering rack
4. Rear coil spring (broken)
5. Electric motors for vent flaps
6. Rebuilt leaky rear differential
7. Motor mounts
8. AC expansion valve
9. Power seat motor failure
10. Power window switch failure

Plus, add in the cheap paint that chipped easily, the seats that constantly squeaked and the instrument cluster whose pixels were fading. Not good for a vehicle that I paid almost $30K back then, and I try to baby my vehicles.

Brian

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Brian
'94 E420 - 99K
'12 C300 4 Matic

Previously owned:
'06 CLK 500K Cabriolet
'85 300SD (Old Smokey)
2002 Boxster
2002 C320 (The five-pointed star Mercedes)
1993 300E 3.2 (Dealership's cash cow)
1979 300SD (Chrome beauty)
1983 300D (Old faithful)
1983 240D (Right lane cruiser)
1977 240D (Miracle of bondo)

Well I'm south of Boston, but willing to travel if he's reasonable!