Correct me if I am wrong, but if its a 96, it would have come with the M104 Flat Six Engine, not the V6 which was only availble from 98MY onwards.

As I can attest from personal experience, and if you read tales from C and E class owners with the M104 Engine, this was not one of the best Engines from MB, Problems with the Wiring Harness and Head Gasket come straight to Memory.

It was probably best that you passed.

David.

__________________
Connecting Via Two Tin Cans and piece of String

Current:-
'02 ML320 '00 Jaguar XK8 '97 Jaguar XJ6

Previous:-
'00 ML320 '97 C230 '94 C280
Jaguar '93 XJ6 VDP
BMW '96 328i, '93 318is
Lancia '93 Thema Turbo, '91 Thema
More Fiat X1/9s than I should admit to
Citroen '86 Visa Gti