I just got done taking an '89 300E (WDBEA30DXKA82332x(Manf. Date: 8-88)) for a test drive earlier this evening...I might schedule a "Mech-Check" on either Friday or early Saturday morning...it has 175k on the clock and has a few glitches...hopefully "quick-fixes" like a fuse here, a bushing there...that type of thing...here's what I noticed right away though...

* - The two rear windows are inoperative...

* - When you "hard" excelerate, like you're going to go around a semi on the interstate, the rear-end "swings" a bit to the left...then when you let off the pedal, you "swing" back...it's more noticeable at highway speeds than at city-traffic pace...

* - The trunk is solid, no moisture - but the radio's antenna doesn't do squat...it's permanently in the "up" position...

* - Radio works, but the cassette tape player is inoperative...no big deal, I don't have any tapes anyways...

* - A leak from the transmission...probably a seal, but the MC will determine the limit of my wallet for that fix...

* - As I mentioned above, it has 175k on the clock (± 1.5k), was run only on Mobil1, has new springs and ball joints in the front, runs VERY QUIET and all the electronics (other than the rear windows and CTP as mentioned) works...even the funky rear headrests popping up and back down...

The guy is looking at $2.5k or OBO...

After the "Mech-Check" - and depending on what he finds and estimates for correction, my thought was offering around $1.7k-$2k...

Am I being too cheap?

__________________

M. G. Burg
'10 - Dakota SXT - Daily Ride / ≈ 172.5K
.'76 - 450SLC - 107.024.12 / < .89.20 K
..'77 - 280E - 123.033.12 / > 128.20 K
...'67 - El Camino - 283ci / > 207.00 K
....'75 - Yamaha - 650XS / < 21.00 K
.....'87 - G20 Sportvan / > 206.00 K
......'85 - 4WINNS 160 I.O. / 140hp
.......'74 - Honda CT70 / Real 125
.
“I didn’t really say everything I said.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Yogi Berra ~

I paid $3250 for mine 4 months ago.....lower miles (133k)...and in very nice shape inside and out aside from sand/sun torched paint in a few places. (Nevada Car) Everything on mine works but the right rear window....

It needed engine TLC when I got it so that it would start and idle properly....as well as my typical throw parts at it to make it perfect problem.

I'd say $2500 for one in good shape running nice is well worth it.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

These cars are plentiful with many many very nice lower mileage examples in the 3-4k range. I'd say wait for a better example unless this one is in excellent cosmetic condition, and has some major repairs recorded, such as the AC evaporator, valve seals,head gasket, transmission. It sounds like the PO is letting things go, though, which means you inherit all of his deferred maintenance.

If its pretty, it may be worth what you're offering.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Thanks guys...I'll keep all of that under top-priority advisement...

Small problem today...the owner works for a company that runs a speciality welding shop...they fly/drive around the states and perform "special" jobs that require certain skills and expertise in cutting and re-welding broken gear...cranes, frames and whatnot...

Well, he left for a "quick job" in Madison and now he's on his way over to someplace in Pigfawk, IA. or something like that...and he has the keys to the car with him...no spare set squirreled away at the house so the GF can drive it or anything...so I'm probably out of the "test-mode" with the Certified MB Mechanic today...and they don't "certify" on Saturdays...so it won't be until sometime next week after Tuesday...

I'll keep you posted as to what I find...

__________________

M. G. Burg
'10 - Dakota SXT - Daily Ride / ≈ 172.5K
.'76 - 450SLC - 107.024.12 / < .89.20 K
..'77 - 280E - 123.033.12 / > 128.20 K
...'67 - El Camino - 283ci / > 207.00 K
....'75 - Yamaha - 650XS / < 21.00 K
.....'87 - G20 Sportvan / > 206.00 K
......'85 - 4WINNS 160 I.O. / 140hp
.......'74 - Honda CT70 / Real 125
.
“I didn’t really say everything I said.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Yogi Berra ~

The pull to one side on the freeway is the same as my son's TE, and cause by bad bushes in the rear suspenstion... the arms have to be replaced as the bushes asre cast in... not cheap, if you buy MB parts...

__________________
2009 Mercedes ML320 Bluetec

Have any idea what that ran and when?

__________________

M. G. Burg
'10 - Dakota SXT - Daily Ride / ≈ 172.5K
.'76 - 450SLC - 107.024.12 / < .89.20 K
..'77 - 280E - 123.033.12 / > 128.20 K
...'67 - El Camino - 283ci / > 207.00 K
....'75 - Yamaha - 650XS / < 21.00 K
.....'87 - G20 Sportvan / > 206.00 K
......'85 - 4WINNS 160 I.O. / 140hp
.......'74 - Honda CT70 / Real 125
.
“I didn’t really say everything I said.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Yogi Berra ~

^ Looking at least $200-$250 in parts to do both rear sides.

__________________
2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

May not be all the arms. Often only one on each side wears first but with those miles, you can't be certain w/o having it checked. A lot depends on how and where the car was driven during those miles.