Check out the self-leveling rear suspension system....you'll need some big-butt-buddies for ballast...pile 'em in the rear to load it down, start the engine, it should level the wagon back out. Neat feature if it works, real costly to fix if it doesn't.

Standard things like ease of starting, crankcase blow-by, transmission shifting, brakes...the things you would have checked out on any car. All the maintance records for the car is a big plus. I would not buy ANY RUST or a car that would not start.

A pre-purchase inspection by a good MB tech could cost a few bucks and may save you much, much more.

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Mark
1983 300TD Wagon
Even a broken watch is right twice a day