.

there is no reason for a more modern, post-85, Merc to have bad paint, IMHO.
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Not always true. I have a 1986 560 SEL with 130K miles that is in excellent condition. However over the years the car had picked up some small chips on the front end, some door dings and scratches and a few faded spots on the hood, so I had the car completely repainted by a friend who owns a body shop. He did an incredible job using only top quality materials. The car is now in showroom condition. It was worth it to me to do the paint job as I plan to keep the car for many more years. Most owners would probably have thought the paint was still fine...but I wanted it perfect, thus the repaint.

The above responses from fellow members are impressive on the subject, especially from Mr. Albert Champion.

One thing that is important to me is how well used Mercedes-Benzes stand and look after high mileage. T

That is why many malicious sellers tend to lower the mileage on the odometer to fool the unsuspecting buyer.

Many go to the trouble to change the obvious: seat upholstery, new set of tires, clean the engine compartment, etc, etc, etc. BUT, they usually miss the small details were you can really tell if an M.B. is high mileage or not:

1/ Check how worn the key is

2/ Check how worn the "on" key for the radio is. Switching on the radio is something a driver almost always does, but a seller will not change the unit just to cover a worn out on-key.

3/ See how worn the gas and brake pedals are.

4/ Worn springs on the front seats is also a good telltale of high mileage cars, unless the original owner was a big guy/gal.

5/ Check for dimmed interior/dash lights.

If any of the above items appear to be to worned out for a 40,000 miles car, it is definitely NOT a 40,000 miles car.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

I want to post a regional-specific response...especially pertaining to comments regarding the paint of used MB's. I agree that while the vast majority of MBs have superior finishes that should not need re-done (on cars less than 20 years old), there is one exception: Those that have been in the US Southwest (far W. TX, NM, AZ) all of their lives. The sun is unbelievably intense here (particularly in the high elevation high-desert areas) and will oxidize the paint like in no other place in the US. If you are considering buying a car from the SW, pay particular attention to the horizontal surfaces, and if you see ANY paint fading it will only get worse over time...very much so! Silver is the worst for whatever reason). But, on the other hand, if you see one from this area with very good paint then you know it was garaged and also had attention to polishing/protection. These will tell you if the owner(s) cared for the vehicle!

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1996 SL320 97K miles
1996 C220 130k miles
1992 500SEL 170k miles <---sold
1986 300E 216k miles <---sold

Don't think these have been mentioned:

1) look under the battery box for corrosion
2) remove a valve cover and look for sludge or excessive wear.

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

All very good comments. If someone stuck a magnet to my car and scratched it, I would be pissed. They sell bondo checkers with a nice soft plastic backing so you dont scratch the car as you go over it. Maybe look into that, or you can just knock on the car with your knuckles and it should suffice.

Give it a good work out, and see if it heats up...If it runs over 100 degree C dont buy it, chances are its been over heated before.

A benz HAS to be driven or it will DIE, so watch out for really low annual mileage vehicles like what was stated earlier

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Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

I cant believe no one said to inspect the hoses and hose clamps, belts, etc. Check those out, make sure they are BENZ parts.

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Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.