Good luck on the haggling.

Here's my $.02:

High mileage has never bothered me on a used car. The fact that the car is in good cosmetic shape, inside and out, is a good sign that the previous owner(s) cared for the car.

The only thing you need to verify is that the maintenance was performed regularly. I would need to see receipts. If the services were performed at the dealer, have the owner get a print out of all the work done. The service history stays with the owner that performed the work, not the car, so only the previous owner can get these records.

You mention the timing chain. It appears that timing chain stretch is not a problem on M119s like it is on M116 / M117's.

I'd certainly have it checked out, as well as the condition of the chain rails / guides.

Remember, it's worth spending a couple hundred dollars on a good PPI to save you from spending a couple thousand dollars unexpectedly later on....

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".