I have a '92 300E Sportline, 242K miles. Had a '90 300E that I bought with 100K and sold at 175K. The seats are leather, but different from stock leather seats. Firmer and more bolster on the sides. Simulated bucket seats in the back. There's not much point in mentioning it, because it's not really a logical economic choice. If you tried to buy them, they would be outrageous. Genuine Sportlines are very hard to find. So as another poster said, "Worry more about the condition of the car and it's documented repair and maintenance history."

There are too many things to list relative to what to look for. Here is my logic. Only valid if you value the look of the car (paint quality).

It's cheaper to fix the mechanicals, than to re-do the cosmetics. The engines and transmissions are really quite bullet proof. It's the rotating components on the front of the engine and the Air Conditioning system that are problematic. Count on A/C/ problems, $1500 ish.

Full paint job is 4K up. Furthermore, good mechanicals may tend to follow good cosmetics. So I would look for cosmetics first and good mechanical history second. No records disqualifies the car. Green coolant disqualifies the car.

I would also look at geography. Where has this car lived? Avoid salt areas.

Mileage is just a number. I would rather have a car with highway miles and one that has had some of the very predictable fixes like wiring harness $1,500 and head gasket $1500 over a 70K mile car with nothing ever replaced.

Wheels? Sportline stock is 15 x 7. Tirerack sells an 8 hole wheel in 15 x 7 $99.00 ea. and 16 x 7 $109.00. They work fine for me. Stock Sportline tire is 205/60 R 15. Frankly I see little advantage to the 16" wheels assuming you are buying a stock suspension 300E. The stock suspension is fairly soft with a fair amount of roll. My Sportline is stiff and corners flat. I stay with the 15 x 7 because I am not auto-crossing. Going to a 16 rim would just add a little more sidewall stiffness, which I don't really want. It also slightly increases the potential for rim damage from potholes or road hazards. I have two replacement rims en-route from Tirerack as we speak. Ran over what felt like a brick at 80 mph. Wiped out the inside of two rims, but tires survived.

What would I buy? '95 either E320 or E420. There are some very nice cars listed for between say about 8k and 12K with reasonable mileages. Get a good one and it will put a smile on your face every time you drive it.

Steve