My 88 300E just hit 500,000 kilometers. It's had normal maintenance along with a few driveshaft, diff mount issues and a few other minor repairs that are to be expected throughout 500,000 kilometers of driving. A valve job is the most serious work that I've done on it.

At this stage it doesn't look like much cosmetically, but I wouldn't be afraid to gas it up, check the oil and tire pressure and then take off on a 2,000 mile trip. I would leave with as much confidence as anyone could have that it would be a trouble free trip.

Cars are machines. Machines require normal maintenance. It doesn't matter if it's 56 Rambler or a brand new Mercedes, if it is not properly maintained it will give trouble and lots of it.

My $0.02,