I purchased a 560sel a couple years ago - $1400, ratty condition (paint looked good, interior worn, most things working, some things not working...), engine running rough with no power, rear end sagging or bouncing.

I had to put $500 into front suspension, and another $500 to get the motor running properly, but from that point it drove great. It still needed lots of little things, and a few big ones, but I didn't worry about it and just drove it until it broke (about 25,000 miles from when I bought it).

Some would consider my experience to be less than positive, however it was my first venture into MB ownership, and even a ratty 560sel can be a wonderful car. There is (almost) nothing like it from 50-100mph on the freeway. If you would have told me that I would settle into thinking a heavy 4 door with an automatic was my car of choice, I would have laughed.

Now, I've "upgraded" to a very nice 500sel w140. While this car is a serious refinement from the 560, if I could get a 560 in mint condition, I'm not sure that I wouldn't rather have that...

I agree, $2500 sounds like a lot for either car (150k mi+ examples exist all over the place), but a few dollars less and you would be hard pressed not to consider anything that runs well a "bargain"...

-David