I'm trying to get an idea of the overall lifespan of this chassis and particularly specific gasoline drivetrains. I'm especially interested to hear from rust-belt owners or anyone who subjects their car to extreme climate conditions. How many miles do you have and how many do you think you have left? What major mechanical repairs did you endure on the way? Thanks in advance for your replys.

Mine had somewhere around 245k when it was sold it just had a head gasket done and had the seals on the tranny replaced. It had some rust but the worst spot was on the rear doors but I could have fixed that.
hope this helps

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I have a 1987 560SEL. 321,xxx miles. I'm the third owner and bought it with 305k on it. Car looks and runs pretty well. Bought it off brother-in-law who is a business real estate broker. He put about 160k on it and had it maintained by a local independent shop. I credit him and them with it lasting so long. I think the only major work that has been done on it was a new timing chain about 16 months ago, shortly before I bought it. I live in Cincinnati and they use a lot of salt around here in the winter (lots of hills). Body looks pretty good , just a few rust spots. Biggest thing is a small dent in hood from a golf ball at the country club. I suspect I will have to put a transmission in in the next year or two. It is a bit slow going into reverse and I hear that is an early sign of trouble. I am starting a fund for that. Sometimes I wish I lived somewhere that Ii could really take advantage of the high speed cruise potential of the car. It will jump from 65 to 85 so fast it'll scare ya, and really it is still loafing!
Just little dumb things have had to be replaced. A power steering hose, a battery, idiot bulb in shifter. Current project is replacing front suspension components. They are getting pretty old and worn. I need to put in a new OVP relay. I fully expect this car to make 400k+, maybe 500k.

I know a local guy with a 1985 380SE with 445,000 kilometers (275,000 miles) that is pretty much original except for a tranny rebuild. I think his top-end is weak, but the car looks great and drives nice.

He's going to make his 500K badge next year for sure...

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

other than the seals the 500s tranny was origanal and had no slip at all.

I have a 380 SEL with about 400 000 kms and still going strong. It is starting to burn a bit more oil now and the tranny is getting weaker, but overall the body is great and runs great with its full power.

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99 C43
98 S420
99 C230K
01 C240

I've seen a 87 420SEL with 375K that was used for airport livery here in the tri-state area. It was being worked on at my mechanics place, I asked him about it and he said its in for a valve job and a rebuilt tranny.

I've also seen (although not gas powered) a 87 300SDL turbodiesel with 835,000 miles.

So far my 86 560 SEL is rounding 218k with original tranny (nice quick shifts) and burns no oil... PO papers shows the timing chain replaced at 158k but I'll probably change the chain/rails soon for peace of mind.I've also updated the radiator for piece of mind

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1997 E320
1986 560SEL
1983 300SD
1972 220D
1970 250C SOLD
1971 250C SOLD

My 420SEL has 243k miles. Only major repairs have been valve job, catalytic converter and a/c pushbutton unit. Fully expect to go well over 300K with it. Will eventually need paint job thanks to several supermarket dings. Have put new shocks and am thinking about new rear springs, as rear end is showing a hint of drooping. Local MB shop says they have never had to replace rear springs - anyone else replaced theirs?

Joe B.

My 300SE has 271K miles on it and looks and drives like new. It had a new tranny at 220K and has had valve seals, A/C work, water pump, smog pump, alternator and that's about it.

Great car, oh yea, I'm in the sun belt.

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Mr. BILL

91 300E 120K
90 300SE 275K (sold)
92 BMW 525iM 120K
90 BMW 525iA 175K
85 300D 175K (sold)
84 300SD 245K (sold)