i agree about parts prices; I get teased and laughed at all the time by my non Mb friends. They say what are ya gonna do when something breaks and have to spend a fortune...I just smile and walk away, knowing what i know now from this website: I have always been able to find an inexpensive alternative to every maintenance issue that has come, and if you really want to compare; I've been several times to the dealer and was shocked to find the part i needed was at a very reasonable price, considering what these cars give back...and besides, the leather couch and starbucks coffee was really nice while I waited for the part....TRY THAT AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP....

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1991 300CE Sportline
1983 300SD TurboDiesel (Gone but not forgotten)

yeah its something youll have to deal with on any vehicle the real question is will you love the car you choose?

rstl99, the line at the fuel pressure regulator is a fuel bleed line to the breather hose in case the FPR diaphragm fails, not a vacuum line. You may want to have a MB-trained tech evaluate that 1990 300E so you get a more accurate assessment of its condition. A tech unfamiliar with MB automobiles may miss some obvious problems.

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Fred Hoelzle

Thanks Fred. Indeed, if I decide to go forward with this car I'll insist on having it assessed at a reputable MB shop (dealer?). Based on what you say, if that line is compromised, it could result in leaking fuel around a hot engine, which could spell F-I-R-E ?? I know next to nothing about the MB gas engines, so should educate myself a little bit I suppose!

I would also request that a good check be done of head gasket symptoms (compression test, coolant pressure test). Any other useful tests recommended to assess proper engine health on those, if I am going to ask a shop to check it out?

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1983 300TD 240K - 1982 240D 215K - 1996 Dodge Cummins 70K

I agree on the PPI or at least a very thorough inspection by someone who know Benz's. I wouldn't pay more than $3k in this economy, but there are lots of 300E's for sale where I live. I disagree with worrying about the head gasket, I have 2 300E's with over 200k and only one of them needed a gasket because it overheated in Las Vegas 100+ temps. Cruise control may only need an amp but they aren't cheap if you really want CC. Other things to check are: all the vents work and if the AC is working properly, not just blowing cold air. If you buy it, have the fuel system flushed, get a new OVP, fuel relay, and replace the alternator regulator.

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'88 300TE, 175k, black RENNTech 3.6L Recaro C's AMG 1 SOLD
'92 500E, 110k, Spruce green, stock SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 130k, E500 wheels, Emerald green SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 110k, black, stock, SOLD
'88 300TE, 229k, dark grey, SOLD
'90 300CE, 212k, white, new paint, SOLD
'91 300E, 209k, white, rebuilt head SOLD
'74 914-6, grey, 2.7L 325hp twin turbo Audi conversion