well that is a sad story.

and if you car hobby enough it will surely happen again. i have chased some pretty elusive problems in my day. i cant remember off the top of my head too many that were never overcome, eventually.

i once spent almost $2000 fixing an obscure problem on a 280e, and it eventually turned out to be the (new) distributor rotor, an aftermarket part that was a little too short and the spark just refused to jump after the cold start valve shut off.

then there was the time i spent almost 2000 to solve a timing problem onmy newly rebuilt 240 d motor. that one turned out to be a worn sleeve that connects the ip to the chain sprocket. install the pump, car runs fine for a while then jumps one of the really fine little teeth and suddenly it is down on poewer, then pretty soon it jumps another and suddenly the car wont go over 50, then finally it jumps agian and the car wont go over 30... now that is too slow even for an automatic equipped 240. and i couldnt find any mb mechanic who had ever seen it happen before and there were some pretty experienced ones who took a stab at it!

the trick is to avoid changing parts without being sure you have located the problem. and that is kindof like saying if you want to get rich buy low and sell high...easier said than done!

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I ALWAYS buy high and sell low.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

I too, am high when I buy...explains why I paid too much on a lot of purchases!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

You guys crack me up.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

My wife swears I was on crack when I bought my former Jeep Grand Wagoneer. A great tow vehicle with ice cold a/c, but 6.5 mpg doesn't cut it nowadays.