Should you buy a used Mercedes 300E?

The Mercedes Benz 300E series is one of the best cars made. Finding diy repair information is a bit tricky. You can find some good manuals that you can download for free at http://skinnerbox.steaky.org or http://mb.braingears.com. Another good link is called Shop forum. I think that you should research as much as you can about this car and whether it is worth what they are asking for before you go ahead and buy it. -Sara

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That depends on the car you are looking at. They will go for 300K miles and their interiors last indefinitely and they always look stylish with a little general care and maintenance, however, they don't go 300K miles without work and effort and cost. If you have $2000 per year to spend on a mechanic and can pick it up for a decent price you will get many wonderfully comfortable and safe miles out of the car. If you are looking for something to run into the ground, well, I guess you can run it into the ground, but what a waste...

I have one I have had for years, I spend at least $2000 to $4000 a year keeping it on the road anymore these days. I have 200K miles on it. It is paid off and cheap to insure, so I figure the repairs are a very inexpensive car payment when spread out over a year. To the cars credit, it has never left me stranded on the side of the road, all the problems it has had I have caught early by hearing noises or having a light come on and tell me there is a problem.

I bought a 1993 300E in 2000. It had low miles, 44K, and was in above average shape. I now have 150K mixed miles on the vehicle. It's been a great car and loves the freeway most (weighs 4,000 pounds). It's got the 3.2L engine so it's got some power acceleration when you need it. On long trips I have done as well as 26 mpg, and get 18-19 around town. I'm not sure what the gentleman above does to his vehicle or where he takes it but my maintenance runs about $1,000 annually for brakes, tuneup, oil changes, fluids, and basically following the service manual recommended schedule. This week I did turn it in for a soft rebuild of the transmission and that will run me about $2,300. Sounds like a lot but I figure it will last between 100K-150K miles. My shop gave me a loaner 1998 C280 and it's nimble around town. Now I'm thinking one of those for the wife and me looking at a classic 1989 420 SEL. I might have a well maintained garaged 300E for sale if the stars fall into place!