If I were you, I would avoid Mercedes altogether. I had a gas one some years ago, a 1988 300 CE. Great looking car, but too many problems, and at low miles. At just 85k, the transmission seal went ($500), the oil seals were leaking ($600), the a/c didn't work, etc. I swore I would never have another gas Mercedes, leaving the window open for a diesel, which I'd alway heard good things about.

I recently bought a 1991 300d. Of course, the a/c didn't work, a nice $1200 repair problem that I was able to fix myself with a lot of work. Then the
O-rings to the injector pump leaked which caused me a lot of problems getting fixed, but I almost didn't mind that repair, it's just something that needs to be done, and the car is 15 years old. I went to have the car aligned last week, turns out it can't be done until the center link is repaired, $280. The mechanic told me Mercedes cause CONSTANT problems. I asked, "What kind"? He says, just like the ones you're having. Soon, it'll probably need new tie rod ends, then he named a few other parts. I asked him about the brake squeal, he said Mercedes and Volvo specialize in brake squeal, and have brake and rotor problems (they can only turn the rotors one time I think, before needing to replace them).

The power steering unit leaks. I think a seal kit is about $400 to have installed, or I can have just the one culprit seal fixed for about $200. The radio's and speakers are absolute garbage and need replaced. The car is on it's THIRD dampner and tensioner. At 90k???

I want to ask you one question.... why do you want to complicate your life?
Buy Japanese, they're nearly problem free. If you need the 3 pointed star, buy one and glue it to the hood of your Toyota Avalon. And the repair prices are less for the few times they do need repaired. A Honda Accord, Camry, Acura TL, etc., they wouldn't even be squeaking at 90k. I'm assuming with the exception of a required timing belt change and other normal maintenence, those Jap cars wouldn't have cost a dime in repair costs at 15 years and 90k.

I admit, my Benz gives a nice quiet ride (when on the hwy, around town it's a bit annoying being that it's a diesel), and I certaily enjoy 36 mpg out of such a heavy car, but I get really bent out of shape when it causes me repair problems ..... at only 90k miles. Age causes some problems, dryrotted seals, but not things like a/c problems and tie rod ends, etc. There's just no excuse for such things, from a company that advertises their cars as "legendary". Legendary cars are the ones on the roads, not the ones in the shop.

For now, I'll keep my 300d and muddle my way through a few more problems, but if causes me too many more, it's back to Jap for me.

1991 300d, 93k