get an official MB mechanic to check the car. It'll cost you some $$$$ but repairs on ANY MB cost $$$$. If this car checks out O.K. I'd say buy it. My mom had hers for 15 years and that sucker is still going strong. It's so dependable that my dad wants to buy one for my sister.

If it's really just a hole in the drain pan, just buy the pan in install it yourself. But that quote of $1,000+++ tells me that's it's something more. I had my transmission rebuilt on my 86 300E for $1700. My transmission was really bad.

Good luck.

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JR
1986 Gold 300E 4Dr automatic