Welcome to the forum.


Since we don't exactly know the condition of the vehicle, it's difficult to guide you in what to do with it. However, for a price of $500.00, you really cannnot go wrong.

You did not say where you are located, however, I would encourage you to use the shop forum to find a good mechanic for it. Under the very first page of Mercedes-Shop, look down and there is a forum entitled "good MB shops". Go to this forum and type in your location for a search. Check out the results.

Find a mechanic that is familiar with Mercedes diesels and bring the vehicle to him. Pay him $150-$200 to thoroughly go over the car and make a list of everything that it needs. Assign a cost to all these items. Then you can make an intelligent decision on whether to keep it.

I will say that any used vehicle with this mileage level normally has $3K worth of odds and ends that it requires. If it has not had any front end work since it left the factory then you are looking at over $2.5 K right there. As previously mentioned, the a/c will command a minumum of $1K in order to replace the compressor, dryer, and expansion valve. Costs can climb dramatically if the evaporator needs replacement (not likely).

The vehicle may be an excellent purchase. On the other hand, be aware:

There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes-Benz

The difference lies in the maintenance over the past 10 years.

Make sure you understand what you have purchased.