My best advice would be to tell your son to look for a 2000 model year or later. 1999 and earlier W120s are pre-facelift models and they had one of the WORST ever quality issues (from all points of view: mechanical and fit and finish) from any production M.B.

Later (post-facelift) W210 models -2000 and up- improved a little (not a lot), but the revisions helped.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

This is great advice. The 2000 and up models also come with more content that wasn't available in the 1999 and older. Some are creature comforts (ie steering wheel radio controls) but the big one is standard ESP (electronic stability program) which is a great safety feature. So far *knock on wood* our 2000 4Matic wagon has been no trouble at all after 10 months and almost 20,000 kms.

Have the front spring perches inspected very closely for rust. This apparently doesn't affect the 4Matic models, but it is very easy to see without putting the car on a hoist. Just bring a flashlight for better visibility. This is a known weak area on W210s.

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Jonathan

2011 Mazda2
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1994 C280 (retired)