My apologies--didn't mean to scare you. No, overall, these cars are pretty reliable. I drive my '94 daily. However, I think that expecting any 20 year old car to be bulletproof at this point may be asking too much. I would try to find the best, low mileage one with records that I could afford.

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Brian
'94 E420 - 99K
'12 C300 4 Matic

Previously owned:
'06 CLK 500K Cabriolet
'85 300SD (Old Smokey)
2002 Boxster
2002 C320 (The five-pointed star Mercedes)
1993 300E 3.2 (Dealership's cash cow)
1979 300SD (Chrome beauty)
1983 300D (Old faithful)
1983 240D (Right lane cruiser)
1977 240D (Miracle of bondo)