Your chain is going to go. If it goes like mine did, it is already eating up chain rails, silently. Your harness is also going to fail.

So, the question is, how much do you like it, and are you willing to spend the money to keep it. Sounds like you are worried about throwing $$ at it. In that case, fold your hand. It is going to cost you more money. I had my trans rebuilt, chain replaced (with all the rails, had to pull the fron covers off the engine) harness replaced all between 160K and 210K. Which is what I expected. At 300K I had to replace the air conditioner evaporator.

It ain't a cheap car, even if you do most of the work yourself.

I am selling mine, and won't make anywhere near what I have put into the car. had fun with it, put 150K on it, not sure I would do it again.

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Peter
1985 300TD 4-speed 212K
1992 400E 343K
2001 E320 72K