Some background: I've spend the last year buying, fixing, parting out and selling various W123 cars. I'm fine having a nit-picky list of things that need my attention over a period of weeks to months. I'm also fine taking a car off of the road for a repair that takes longer than a weekend.

Fast-forward to this week: I was visiting my indy mechanic the other day shooting the breeze when I commented on the cool S320 he had sitting in the lot. He jokingly asked if I wanted it. Upon further talking he let on that the owner didn't know what to do with it because it needs a new transmission. I told him to ask the owner what the story is. He's going to get back to me.

So what it needs that I know of:

1) Transmission issue. I've done some reading and found that it might be the transmission, or a sensor, or the special liquid-gold priced fluid or...
2) rear subframe mount bolt is broken. See pic below.
3) seat back cover missing
4) radio knob chewed up
5) child safety switch missing
6) interior filthy
7) rear suspension looks squatted down. See #2 above

Did any of the S320s come with the self-levelling suspension? I have a wagon with SLS so I'm not afraid of the system, but I'd rather not have it.

I've been doing some research in the forum and I have to consider that it may need an evaporator coil.

So the things that make it un-driveable are:
1) transmission
2) rear subframe bolt
3) door seal motor? If this dies can I still shut the doors?
4) Evaporator. A man can't be driving a W140 with no AC. Are the replacements an updated design?
5) engine wiring. Shouldn't the 1999s have regular wiring?
6) Head gasket. We have a C280 and are aware of the $1k bill to replace the head gasket when it leaks oil.

What am I missing?

-Tad

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1995 G320
2003 C230 Kompressor Coupe
2005 ML500
2007 ML350