Ok this is coming form someone who bought a neglected SDL, that needed way to much work. Here are a few things to check when looking at a SDL.

1. Look for rust! Pop the trunk, look in the upper corners. Lift the gasket around the window, they start to rust in their.
Take off all of the jack point covers and look in their.
Where the front swaybar exits the wheel well, stick your finger in their and check for rust.

2. Under the drivers side bumper their is the oil cooler. Check the crimps and the fittings. On northern cars they rust and since their steel fittings on an aluminum core the threads often get messed up. $351 for the lines and $256 for the cooler.

3. If the radiator is original it is due. $395.

4. Check for play in the steering wheel.

5. If the egr is still hooked up the manifold will need to be cleaned.

6. With the engine running pull the oil filler cap and check for blow-by.

7. With the engine cold check for pressure in the upper hose. This could be a cracked head. $2000

8. If the under body panels are still in place remove them and look for leaks.

9. It will leak something.

10. Get the car up on a lift and have a good look underneath. Check all of the hard brake lines, paying carefull attention to the ones above the rear axle. They rust in the corners.

11. Behind and under the radiator are two wire covered transmission cooler lines. Their only $10 each to replace but could be a bargining point.

12. Check the front and rear bumper for rust.

My advice is to buy the nicest one you can find. Paying more upfront is money well spent.

"the most expensive Mercedes is a cheap one"

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200