If you can find an E of any year in the cared for condition you will accept between '96 and '99, I'm sure you will be happy.

I bought my '99 brand new 11.5 years ago. I have no complaints overall in the car's reliability. It's been a good car for me. Really, any MB diesel with about 100K miles on it should be good for another 250K miles at least.

I drove my '83 300SD to 305K miles, and sold it prematurely in 1999 after I purchased a new MB diesel.

My '99 300 ETD would be considered mint by some - I consider it a reliable, solidly maintained daily-driver with a complete history of major components replaced, with numerous imperfections, and a non-giveaway price.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert