Original purchase was by a Houston, TX resident; but the car was purchased from Silver Star A.G. in Sherman Oaks, CA. There's probably a story there.

The records I have are the Mercedes Maintenance Booklet, from owners 1 and 2. Records extend to 8/12/2001 @ 180,365 miles. All what you would expect, oil changes, filter changes, a few brake services, a starter change on 12/14/1998.

So there were only 70K miles put on the car in the last 9 years. I doubt the guy I bought the car from did much of anything to it. He said he was using it as a work car. Drove himself and a few other blue-collar workers to/from work.

Oil pressure is good. When warm and idling, 1.5 bar, from 1800 rpm and up it pegs the 3 bar gauge.

Vacuum pump seems good; all vacuum functions work, but there is a leak somewhere; can't lock the doors after about 10 minutes after shutoff.

I worry about a spun rod bearing because of that d$*&^...darned clattering sound. Can clearly be heard over the engine noise.

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Mike Frederick
1986 300SDL, 240K+ miles
1985 300D KaliKar, 270K+ miles