looking at a black 300e the body is in great cond. no rust no dings winsheild has a crack a dealer is selling asking for 2200$ (he got it at a auction) here's the kicker no service records and 317,000 miles he says every thing works and it runs like new (will test drive tomorrow some one left the keys at home) should i even consider this car im also looking at a bmw 635csi with 175,000 im not really a 2 door guy but this bimmer (im not a bmw guy eithier LOL) is in nice shape and has recent head and valve work reciepts the mechanic who did the work is selling for 1200 no rust a couple dings here and there.?????????????????????? thanks guys any replies apriciated

it would be cheaper to buy one of the dozens of good condition 300E with 1/3 the miles that can be had for $4-5k. $2k may sound like a good deal, but you can very easily put $1k in repairs/maintenance per year into a 100k mile 300E that has been well cared for its whole life. That is the nature of a car that is 15-20 years old (regardless of miles, condition, history). I shudder at how much annual repairs/maint. would be on a 300k mile model.

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2005 Mercedes C230k sport sedan, 6 speed
1987 Porsche 924S - 968-engined track car

i hear you i got a 1980 euro 500sel with a blown head sitting out side

what do you guys think about the bimmer

I'd stay away from the '89 300E with 317,000 miles. Ask why the mechanic who did head and valve work on the BMW 635csi is selling it. Not too many folks put a lot of time and effort working on a car and then turn around and sell it for next to nothing. You need details on the car. What else if anything does the car still need repaired? It could be a money pit.

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Fred Hoelzle

There is one rule to follow when looking at cars like these:

"There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Benz"

I've bought cars like these before and got burned. Either buy a better (lower mileage/service records/etc) one, or buy a different car.

For $2k you can buy an older Taurus or Accord if you want cheap transportation. It will outlast any 300E with 317k miles!

I once bought a Miata even though I wanted an older SL. Could only afford some older, high mileage beat-up SL's. I'm so glad I didn't buy one at the time. I have a 560SL now, after driving that Miata for 4+ years! (only planned to keep the Miata temporarily...)

Neal

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'83 300SD 335,000km (207k) mi SOLD
'87 560SL 163,000km (101k mi) SOLD
'86 300SDL 356,000km (220k mi) SOLD
'92 500SEL 250,000km (155k mi) SOLD
'90 300SL 140,000km (87k mi) SOLD
'01 S430 260,000km (161k mi) SOLD
'03 SL500 167,000km (104k mi) SOLD
'07 S550 4MATIC 235,000km (146k mi) SOLD
'07 GL320 CDI 4MATIC 348,000km (215k mi)
'13 GL350 BlueTec 4MATIC 170,000km (105k mi)
'14 SL550 72,000km (43k mi)

today i drove the 300 it was a massive disapointment the car stalled and had a slight showing of milk in the oil fill cap possible blown gasket I walked away and thank you guys for the warning