Am I nuts? Is this mileage too high?

Jorg

You could also be nuts for buying a VERY low mileage OLD car.

It all depends on what type of service it's received in it's life and how the car was driven.

Even with the best of care & treatment once underway, the car is OLD.

You can bet you're going to have to make repairs. The more you're able to do yourself, the better.

No one can see ahead and know if this purchase could turn into a wallet-drainer. It's simply a gamble you have to take.

Some will suggest that you obtain a PPI(pre-purchase inspection). This may have value if you're not able to ascertain the cars condition.

Good luck.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

Realistically, this car has had it! You can expect or replace an awful lot of parts and extensive labor costs. Even if you do much yourself, I wouldnt take this on if they gave the car away! I have 125ooo miles on my 77 450SL, and next major cost (over$2000) would say goodbye (reluctantley(. Good luck , Abe G

It's relative to what you pay for it. I just bought a 1992 300TE with about 133K miles on it. Absolutely no rust, not even on suspension parts or bolts. I'm spending whatever it takes to make the car as close to new as possible since my wife really likes the car and wants to keep it a long time.

Keep in mind that between the front shocks, rear support joints, tailgate struts, and hydropnematic suspension you can spend a fair amount of cash. However, if you buy the car cheap enough and it comes with service records I would not rule it out just because of the mileage.

If it has no service records I would only be interested in it as a parts car since could very well cost big bucks if it needed extensive engine and/or transmission work.

Below is a list of what I've done to the one I bought about a month ago.

Work done immediately prior to purchase by seller:
A/C blower motor
oil sending unit
driver’s side door window motor
Climate control unit

Work done by me:
Coolant reservoir
coolant reservoir cap
5 coolant hoses
thermostat & gasket
radiator overflow plug
coolant
Acc mono valve
auxiliary water pump
grommets for windshield washer tank pumps
fuel filter
oil and oil filter
power steering fluid flushed & filter
hydraulic fluid flushed & filter
transmission fluid, filter, & gasket
rear diff. fluid
wiper blades: front, back & headlights
distributor cap, rotor, suppressor & o-ring
ignition wire holder
6 spark plugs
voltage regulator
battery & battery hold down clamp
refinished battery tray
2 breather hoses
air intake hose
hood silencer pad
rear muffler & muffler clamp
4 exhaust system hangers
flushed brake system
flushed hydraulic suspension system
adjusted front bearings
rear shock bump stops & shock boots
2 accumulators
suspension Pull Rod
adjusted ride height
replaced trim piece by front seat
rubber covers that attach to driver's side & passenger mirrors
Acc. belt idler pulley
fan clutch bearing bracket
rear hatch stabilizer shocks-2 & new pins
re-glued MB tex in front side pockets
support joints on rear wheel carriers

Work to be done:
valve stem seals which I’ve ordered
strut mounts
new tires

Age is just as hard as mileage. It depends if the car was taken care of. My 300SDL with just over 250k on it is in far far better shape then 95% of the W126's I come across. And I have seen and gone over a lot of W126's.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Excellent car. I owned one for 12yrs and it gave excellent service. I parted company with the car a year ago at 120K miles. I would say with a good service history these cars are built to cover large mileages but at 250K I think the engine will require a complete overhaul. My 120K example was starting to feel tired in the suspension department.

It really depends how much work has been done to the car over the years to keep it A1. If this has not been done you will inherit a lot of work with expensive part renewal.

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00 320CDi Avantgarde Estate

Thanks for the replies. I needed a reality check. I guess I'll keep my eyes open for something a bit lower mileage. There are no service records with this car so it's possible just about everything is at the end of it's life, and I don't need that kind of a project.

Jorg

Like the others have mentioned its all in the care and previous maintenence of the vehicle. For instance, my 1980 280TE has been in my family since it was brought to the states, religiously maintained, and has well over 800K miles on the original gasoline engine, only now are things starting to wear such as bearings...ect. It is still in the better condition than most mid-90's Mercedes ;-)

Good luck with your future!

really?

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Yes Really. On its second manual transmission though! Religous services! It happens, look at the photos in my profile gallery!

This may be a lot to ask, but could you give us a synopsis of what has been done and when? This would be a great data point in condsidering future purchases.

I wonder if these high miles are like taxi miles, few starts and long runs?

Jorg