I cant say much bad about the car, 1996 E320 built 12/1995 160K miles on it. I paid 7500 for it and put 2000 in it. It is quiet, clean and has good performance. Most everything works as new. It does have some MFG design flaws as posted. Had I bought it new and maintaned it maticulasly I would feel differently Im sure.

It regularly posts advertised mileage and has no oil use between 8 K changes. No rust yet, the head lights are a bit cloudy. Im changing the lenses this week 95 dollars a side. It does have a small oil leak at the passenger side timing cover and rear head gasket. two spots dime sized daily.

Ive put 20K on it in a year. It needed tires, ball joints, brakes when I got it. I did the work myself and found parts werent that exspensive. Ive repalced a couple instrument bulbs and this week a rear window regulator.

The MB dealer printed the service record for me. Dealer maintained car to 105K miles, fluids changed by the schedule. The head gasket was changed at 87K, complete replacement of AC system was done at 127K, a year before I bought it.

For me its been a great bargain at $10,000.

Its tough to beat these cars if you compare them to whats on the market for the same money. My 2005 GMC truck has had several major repairs with only 40K miles on it. I paid 39000 for it.