Last year I bought a 1990 300CE with 160K miles but no major issues for $1.7K, invested $2K in overhaul
http://s787.photobucket.com/albums/yy159/petrusky70/Mercedes/300CE_white/
- Tires replaced
- Fuel system cleaned
- Brake fluid bled
- Coolant system overhauled
- Coolant flushed
- Intake manifold cleaned
- Throttle body cleaned
- Power steering fluid flushed
- Spark plugs, spark plug cables replaced
- Distributor cap & distributor rotor replaced
- Air filter, air intake temperature sensor replaced
- O2 sensor replaced
- EHA replaced
- Catalyst replaced
- New protective panel under the engine bay installed.
Then I could not keep it as second car. After 4 months I sold it for $2.7K, lost $1K.
Congrats to your Nada estimate of $10K