I recently completed my steady transition to all Mercedes Benz...beginning with...
(My Car) 2003 - 1988 560SEL, 103K miles, bought for $6500. I think if I was a bit more patient, I may have found a 560 like this for maybe $1K less, otherwise I think I paid a fair amount and am satisfied. Have spent another $2K over the last three years fixing/updating. She is 99% now and runs/looks great. Only remaining issue is the OE BeckkerRadio shorts out occassionally - mostly during winter (cold)
(Everyone's Car) 2003 - 1993 190E 2.6, 88K miles, bought for $4,000. I think this was a good deal. This 190 was/is in excellant condition. And although I bought it to have my newly licesnced daughter gain some driving experience, it still looks and drives well! I've spent about $1K on updating/repairing over the last three years. Its complete now and looks fantastic, ready for newly licensed daughter #2!.
(Wife's Car) 2006 - 1997 E420, 24K miles, bought for $17K. I think I paid what this car is worth. However, purchasing an E420 with 24,000 miles where it sold for over $50K when new, I couldn't be happier. This is one fine automobile - incredibly refined and very much mint condition, as its miles would suggest. I just spent $700.00 on the 30K service at my Mercedes Indy mechanic (no stealership for me).
Obviously its clear that I love these cars. When I purchased the E420 last spring, I sold my P.O.S. 2001 Volvo XC70. I bought the Volvo new. It is BY FAR the most expensive auto I have owned. Purchased for $42K. $6K in repairs - the last being a new transmission after 96K miles. Sold for $14,500. You do the math. Never again.
Buy pre-owned, buy Benz!