Quote:
Originally Posted by Alain V.
with 98k miles you better figure it's due for all four struts,
front lower ball joints,and control arm bushings,,,,
the front driveshaft and trans are both on their final stages of life and will be toast soon,
and that's just the beginning.
I see it every single day in my shop.....
first the new owner brags about how "cheap" or how good of a deal they got on the car,,,,
then a few failures happen and they start really regretting the purchase.
My opinion" if you are the second/3rd etc owner of any merc built after about 2002-03 ish you got screwed,,,even if you got the car for free! Don't believe me,,,,just wait til that 722.9 trans takes a poo, or the SBC or the air ride, or the balance shaft on a v6. There's a very good reason why most MBZ techs don't seem to drive 10 year old high mile benzes anymore.
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There's been good and bad Mercedes models for the last 30 years. M104s were lucky to get to 100k without head gaskets failing. What about those first 5 speeds with that engine as well? Head cracking and rod bending 80's 90's diesels. Timing chains tossing in the 80's. The list keeps going. Would these cars be considered as terrible to upkeep in comparison without airmatic?
I would consider owning a rear wheel drive 2003 S430 or S500 as its past the first years issues, has the facelift/pretty taillights, and still has the 722.6 trans.
With the car listed by the OP, you couldn't give it to me. The lights come and go thing would have me heading for the hills. Parts alone to get it up to snuff could exceed the value of the whole friggin' car.