You have a decision to make that most of us with MB have had to make at some time. EIther pass it up and save more money or take the chance and not be angry later. I still think you could resell it while being honest about its past for $3000 as is. I dont think the guy is being honest, but I doubt he is really hiding anything, I have yet to meet an honest car salesman and he sounds like he wants to make a buck. Offer him $2800 cash, tell him it will need a tune up and new hoses to be sure it is highway safe and you will need the money to do it. If he wont take the $2800 walk away and feel good about it, if he does, buy it and feel good about it. Either way, buying older cars is always a trial by fire. Good luck, it looks nice in the photos and everyone loves the EUor car over the US version. The wheels are a great touch and dont worry about what size they are, 14,15 or 16 inch work well on the SEC cars and wont hurt anything. A good paint job in Brown aint so bad...

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Christopher Henkel
1990 190E 2.6 - Arctic white SOLD
1986 190E-16v - Blauswartze
1993 300CE - SOLD
2003 W208 CLK 320 Cabriolet - Magma Red