I realize you guys are real technicians concerning these matters. I am no mechanic. Just a soldier away from home with a bad case of the blues because my 1992 300E 4Matic which is 251,000 miles of pure awesome appears to be about to strand me about 200 miles from home in a remote location. I registered on this website and started the previous thread because frankly, I don't know what else to do and thought someone might either tell me I am about to have to finally pay to have the 400E up and running or that there is something I might do to at least get home tomorrow. Any advice or recommendation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much, in advance. Sorry to interrupt your discussion. CJTucker

I suppose I can jump in with a new issue. Since it appears that I will soon be having a funeral for my 1992 300E 4Matic, I need to start getting over the mourning process and learning more about my 1992 400E that I just purchased for $250. It has 150,000 miles on it; yes, 100,000 less than my 1992 and when the person I bought if from accepted $250 I was more than happy to oblige.

The car needs some serious work, brakes, rotors (in the engine - I will freely admit I do not know what that is but the former owner gave me the CD's with the schematics and instructions), a new radiator, fan, and fan clutch. The car was disabled b/c the fan clutch siezed on the highway sending the fan into the radiator creating a hole in the back of the radiator. There is no oil leakage in the engine (as opposed to my 1992) and the body is in as good a shape as it could be after 21 years. I am told by my German mechanic who took good care of my 1992 that the cost is around $4000 total. Still worth it to me after knowing through direct experience how well the 300E took care of my family and I over the years.

My question, other than the one about how I am going to get home tomorrow with the serious new vibration issue over 65 mph in my '92, is am I crazy to think that it is ok to spend this money on this car. Is it just a fluke that my '92 ran like a tank with just a little coolant and fresh oil for nearly 100,000 more miles through significant temperature / climate change, and through the years without so much as a hiccup every now an then (a new alternator at 230,000 miles, a new exhaust at 210,000, a new serpentine belt at about 200,000)? Seriously, I am almost without the ability to describe the awe that I have towards the 300E, even though it appears it might be ready to die...today.

I humbly ask to join the discussion and get some feedback from you gentlemen, who are obviously aware of the utter beauty of these vehicles. Thank you, in advance for any responses. And, again, I am sorry if I have intruded without invitation. CJTucker