Hello,
I have the opportunity to purchase a 1996 C280, this is what the ad read:


1996 C280, 129K miles, $1150
"Original owner, leather upholstery, 4 + 1 Michelin MXVplus tires, in good condition inside/outside. Heater / air-condition are working. All maintenance services were done at authorized Mercedes dealers. Registered to be driven in California until Jan. 2019. Engine is clean and runs well. No oil leak. ABS light, Engine Check light and front wiper sometimes come on while driving. Sold as is."

My current daily driver has been a 1984 190D 2.2 for the past ten years, and she has been faithful and reliable until recently. Last month, the injection pump started leaking, and the diesel fuel has leaked on the rubber bushings in a frame part (I thought it was the control arm, but not sure) and the rubber is disintigrating and must be replaced. I am not confident I can replace the seals in the injection pump myself - I know I can't do the rubber bushings, so I'll have to have a shop do these two repairs, and it will be costly. My Baby Benz is banged up cosmetically, but the engine and transmission are solid (except for the injection pump). The car has about 285,000 miles on it. The state of California will pay me $1000-$1500 to 'retire' my car, which I could use to buy a replacement - although I dread seeing her being smashed to smithereens - maybe it's because I'm a female that the thought of that really bothers me. However, I'm retired now and basically survive financially month-to-month, so I don't really have much choice but to retire my Baby Benz, as I can't afford to repair it. This C280 is in impeccable cosmetic shape, but I actually had intended to purchase a Diesel Mercedes, not a gasoline model; for several reasons: no smog check required here in CA on a diesel engine, my experience with my 190D diesel has been exceptional - I just replaced the original alternator and starter last year, which means they lasted 33 years! I get extraordinary mileage. Even with the leak from the injection pump, the car still runs great. I just inherently feel that perhaps it is wiser to stick with the diesel because I understand how it works - I have no knowledge about the gasoline engine.

I would greatly appreciate the opinions of all my fellow Benz Enthusiasts who probably understand my position, and who appreciate my reluctance about sending my faithful Baby Benz to the junkyard. Thank you so much

__________________
Baby Benz Sandra

"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." ... Benjamin Franklin

1984 190D 2.2 W201 Baby Benz:
290,000 miles and still going strong; my daily driver
Motorcars of the past:
1973 Mercedes-Benz 220D
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1969 Volkswagen Bug (Bought it brand new in '69 - the list price back then: a mere $1799!!)