So I've always wanted a 300TD and I found one locally thats right up my alley: a well maintained mechanically sound beater for $1000. I'll probably get it for less if I buy it, I hit it off with the seller, they're very open and informative about the car's history.

I feel good about checking out a Benz for the basic things, this car is great as far as the engine/tranny/tires/brakes/electrical etc. go, no real issues. Its cheap because it looks like hell, but hell, I don't care about that!

My question is the one issue the car may have in the future: the seller bought the car many years ago and the rear end was super low, the SelfLeveling System was crapped out. She was in LA and ended up in New Orleans where she took it to a local mechanic who specialized in big rig suspension/mechanic work. They took the SelfLeveling System out and replaced this with a custom made spring system, pretty heavy duty and she hasn't had any problems with it. That was a few years back.

Now, she mentioned this to me and I thought: what happens when the custom work needs work on? I'm gonna call my mechanic and ask him his opinion on this too, but I figured there's a wealth of opinion/information out there on this so what the heck.

How much would it cost/how much of a pain in the ass would it be to get the car back the original Self Leveling system? Maybe I wouldn't have to worry about it too much but I will be doing a bit of road tripping with musical equipment in the back so.....

any thoughts would be greatly apprecitated, I told her I would let her know in a day!

mark in Portland