A few thoughts:
1) If you're interested in prior records, my experience would suggest that buying from a private party is more likely to yield some pay dirt. It may possibly also connect you with someone who's more involved with his car than the typical turn-it-in-for-a-new-one seller. Dig around and you may find an indie used dealer who knows the story of most of his vehicles and is willing to ask a PO for records, which some might be willing to supply.

2) As a Michigan resident with the same winter realities you have, I'd suggest to you that expecting no rust issues on a nine-year-old car in our conditions is optimistic at best. It's not impossible to keep a car pretty much rust free, but it does take definite commitment and occasional infusions of cash. I seem to recall some threads on leaks around the rear windows in 124 wagons; might be worth your while to search on that.

3) If you're interested in minimizing your exposure on repair costs and willing to consider spending somewhere in the 20's, you might check into a Starmarked (MB's certification program) car in the more recent vintages. Yes, they're reputed to have lesser quality around the BBs, but then we don't have typical new-MB owners on the board to provide input, and at least you've got coverage for the more major stuff. Then, on the other hand, for the difference you can spend a couple thousand on work and still have a lot more money in your pocket; it's just that the cashflow is much less predictable.

__________________
Craig Bethune

'97 SL500, 40th anniversary edition

'04 Olds Bravada (SWMBO's)
'06 Lexus ES330
'89 560SL (sold)


SL--Anything else is just a Mercedes.
(Kudos to whoever said it first)