Hey guys, just wanted to update you. I'm flying from Dallas to Alabama tomorrow a.m. to pick up a three-owner 2002 E320 Special Edition (silver/silver) with 77k. The price is just at $10k. She has the 17" five-holers, which I love. The car is for my wife.

Have the MB VMI sheet - and understand why the first owner got rid of the car after three years.... Get this: 13 warranty services under 30k in three years -- 2!! steering racks; cam position sensor; control arm mounts, one cat, flexible srv. (FSS) system?, axle seal ring, pinon bearing drive?, upstream 02 sensor, brake light switch,CD changer) -- and again at 61k (light engine work? and CSI clean up.

Also spoke to the shop that maintained it under a third-party service warranty and got the skinny, verifying that all services were done on schedule. Also spoke to the third owner (the car is at a car lot) who loved the car and said it never gave him a lick of trouble. Don't think he considers replacing two window regulators, a cooling fan (wobbly shaft), front rotors and pads, and the ACC control unit "trouble" . He bought the car from a good friend of theirs (2nd owner) -- so I think I've got a pretty good sense of the history.

I'll report in often on what I'm taking on regarding preventative maintenance etc., and with questions I'm sure. My wife and I are excited to be back in the MB fold, for sure, even with the wrench turning I'll have to do.

Thanks to everyone that responded to this thread and especially to Paul for e-mailing back and forth with me.

Wish me luck on the 600+ mile drive back to Dallas tomorrow!