What is the overall condition of the car? If the owner has kept everything in good repair during those 305,000 miles and intends to keep the car "forever," then it might be worth dumping a couple thousand dollars into the engine. Are there any symptoms? External leaks, burning oil, bits of chain guide in the oil change?

As another data point, my '96 E300D has 298,000 miles and neither leaks nor burns any oil (by which I mean none needs to be added between annual 5000 mile oil changes). I measured the timing chain stretch at 275,000 miles and it was 1 degree. Everything on the engine is original and everything in the car works. I'm interested in what you and your customer decide to do. Please keep us informed.

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970