I'm curious to hear the story of how:

-you found the car
-the owner described the car (documentation of repair history)
-how the price was negociated

dealer or individual?

I also would say that it's quite possible that you get all these things done so the car drives straight, then learn that you need a valve job, or tranny service, or radiator, or timing chain, or some other item that will make you want to drive the car right through that guy's living room and leave it hanging out into the flower bed.

Maybe the car was painted at Maaco, and will look good for 6 months, then take a turn southward.

If it was a dealer, I'd be out there in front of his shop with a boycott sign until he made good on his sale. If it was an individual, it's more difficult.

I've got alot of money in my '89, but it was over time, and with a mechanic that I really trust, and knows how not to over fix something.

My advice is to evaluate your situation carefully. A commercial mechanic's eyes will light up like Las Vegas Strip when he tallies the work to be done on your car (especially w/ Christmas around the corner). Think about how much you will have invested in the car, and how much more (and there will be more - most likely) that you are willing to absorb. It might just be easier to sell the car to somebody on this board, who knows what the issues are, and likes to fix cars like this on the weekend.

Something tells me this won't happen to you again.

__________________
Bernard
Dallas, TX
89' 300SEL 228K
01' E320 48k