Thanks for the replies guys. Its great to know others here own or have owned this year and model of Mercedes. I have contacted the owner and have decided to buy this car. We just have to work out the details. I am going to make a new post about this, because I know a few here wondered if I was ever going to find the "right" Mercedes. I have stalled on buying one for about 3 years now.

Yeah Don, I am sure I will have a LOT of questions. I will probably drive you crazy considering you have a 85' 380SE. . Yeah, I have a lot of posts, but it was mainly me asking questions about cars I was considering in the past. My only other Mercedes was a 74' 240D that my uncle had bought new, but it had a lot of problems and I never got to drive it. I sold it for $75. about 6 years ago. As far as these Mercedes go, I know nothing about them, except what I have read here, so I guess this forum will come in very handy when it comes to questions I have. I was really unsure about the coolant, because until Mercedes, I had never heard of a car requiring "special" coolant. Thanks for clearing that up.

Bribenz and DerryB: Yeah, that is my main concern. The car has 263K and the owner has NO idea when or if the chain/tensioner/rails were changed. He has owned it for 5 years he said. I am guessing that at these miles, it has either been changed or it would have broke by now, or knowing my luck, about to break. I have already contacted a local Mercedes independent shop and got a quote of $500 (parts and labor) to change the chain and tensioner. I did not think about checking on the rails too. I guess that will add even more. I am sure I will get it changed soon before I do a lot of driving. If it is not making that noise on start-up, could it also be that the tensioner and rails are OK, or only does the worn chain make the noise?

As far as rust goes, thankfully, this is a 100% rust free southeastern car. The car is silver with dark blue interior. Again, I have only seen photos and I am buying it sight-unseen, but for only $1000. I am going to take a chance on it. The only problems mentioned are two of the windows work sporadically.

Thanks again!