1994 E320 Wagon bought for $13,400 1.5 years ago with only 78,000 miles on it. Spent $5000 in first two months on new exhaust, many new front and rear suspension parts (mostly rubber ones), new flexdisk, new engine mounts, complete tuneup, all new fluids, $1000 worth of bodywork, timing cover gasket, steering shock, and a few other minor items. Then all hell broke loose, as the water pump failed catastrophically, taking out the head gasket and wiring harness on the way. Needed head rebuilt and new serpentine belt - all told that was another $5000. All work done at Hatch & Sons in Wayland, Mass. Knock on wood - car has been great for about six months now - worst problem is the outside temp and fuel gauges failed - I fixed the fuel gauge myself and will get to the other soon. I figure I am due for the throttle actuator at $1700 and the A/C condenser for $2000 or so (maybe $3000 if I stick with Hatch and Sons) - then I will have paid for every expensive repair there is on the car!

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Chip Johnson