Back to the issue of parts prices.

You can buy OEM quality pats for MBs at a dozen or more WEB sites for far less than what a dealer charges.

There was a time when you might have noticed a large spread in pricing between say Ford and MB or Toyota and MB. I do not believe that large spread exists anymore IF you focus on OEM parts from WEB providers.

The 300E is a more rational choice at this stage.

For it's age, I don't see it costing anymore to maintain than any other 16 year old car.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"