Mass Air Flow help

[yobiker192]

Hi guys, although I am new member I have lurked on your wonderful site at times looking for info on a 96 E300D. At 33 mpg I thought it was a keeper until my wife found a hybrid Toyota SUV. Toyota only gets 26 -29 mpg.

I also have an 88 260E that I love. I currently use it as an airport car and plan to save it for one of my sons to drive. Sons car needs to be 1) paid for. 2) solid 3) not to fast 4) cheap on insurance.

It has a $3600 worth of paint thanks to a friend at a new BMW repair facility without a CO. I have used Mobil 1 or Amsoil over the years and keep all servive done mostly. I just changed power steering fluid and filter, brake fluid and coolant. I use Mercedes fluids except I think the power steering fluid is made by Bilstien. I also had new shocks installed and am thinking about new springs and bushings.

At 165,000 it uses a little oil, just had the leaky (gushing is a better word) valve cover gasket changed to the new model so most consumption should stop. Although these engines are known for using oil thru worn valve stem seals mine isn't bad. My tech says that I shouldn't even think about a head job unless I am in Vegas. He says I can buy lots of oil for $2000 so wait years until valves go.

I am having a problem with high idle after I put car in park. It doesn't happen all the time and probably won't hurt anything for a while. However, it is quite loud as it sometimes revs around 3000 rpm. Tech says I need Mass Air Flow but at around $1000 it could wait until it gets really bad.

He says that I really only need one tiny part but Mercedes only offers the whole unit. Any ideas? Can I have the unit rebuilt? Or do I have to spend the cash on the whole thing?

Thanks in advance for the help.