All high mileage cars are more of a risk than low mileage although at super low mileages the lack of use can reverse the risk profile.

I would buy a high mileage car, but only if I knew the car well or had had a good look around it before I bought. Lots of good Merc independents to take it to for a quick look see before buying. If the car belongs to a friend, then the car should be well known to the buyer including any history of defects/repairs.

Check its service history carefully, make sure its had some sensible maintenance, it should ideally have had a transmission oil change at 60k or thereabouts so another one is looming.

This engine is in E class private hire's used by a chap i know, serviced by my indy properly they usually get replaced @ 400k, during which time they prove to need little other than consumables.

Get it bought and make sure he has a first class MB indy to look after it.

Manual wants to be cheaper still, very few proper wheel drive Mercs with manual boxes and it must be said nopt much demand either, not aware of any gearbox problems as such any RWD Merc box..

Hill starts can be tricky due to the foot operated handle release parking brake, a good trouble free parking brake but you ideallly need three feet for stop start on hills, unless the car in question has a hill hold function.

Oh please no, don't tell me Merc's have gone to the dark side too...where's the face palm smiley when you need it.

actually if thats true that at least stops me wondering what to do when i retire, still be running me proper 90's stuff at this rate.

Edited by gordonbennet on 27/10/2015 at 17:41

Hasn't this generation of Mercedes got the timing chain issue? With the design of the engine its a Labour intensive job which could cost a fair amount.

Ring up your local MB dealer and get service to quote you the costs of the next two services.. Then decide (two as one will likely be major). Make sure they include VAT in the quote. (I doubt there ill be change from £1k for the total)