1992 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 280 Estate review from UK and Ireland

Water leak - top of radiator.

Hole in petrol tank filler tube to tank weld (common problem).

Stained rear seats.

Throttle cable frayed at engine end.

Fluctuating revs (possible vacuum leak)

Bonnet release lever just snapped in my hand under normal use-age.

Central locking was intermittent.

Oil leak from somewhere (another common problem)

Who knows what's happening / happened to the wiring loom that Merc decided to track past the top of the engine causing cracking / solidifying of the wiring - another common problem, this time a potentially very expensive one.

It drives like a big heavy car, although with this comes a good turning circle, for turning around and going home after the thing breaks down maybe.

It is fast when you put your foot down, although the fuel reserves are being used up in the process.

It has a big boot area, which folds down totally flat - I am impressed by that - even the rear seats are flat down, so the area is massive, without a 'lip' at the back like most hatchbacks and some estate cars - so you can slide things into the boot area easily.

Over engineering can be a problem when things go wrong mechanically - so maybe get a pro in to check it over before potentially wasting money on an old money pit.