I've replaced the alternator, one ball
joint, the modulator valve O ring, and
the fuel return lines.
I enjoy driving this car because it is solid. Acceleration from 0-60 takes about 13 seconds. Once at cruising speed, 70mph, I settle back and enjoy the ride. I roll back the sunroof, turn up the stereo and zip along in my solid German sedan. I own nine cars and I usually reach for the 300D Turbo keys when I need a car.
I paid $2200 for my Mercedes. Insurance is less than $200 per year. I average 26 miles per gallon. This is one of the best cars I've owned and I intend to keep it until I can't drive anymore. I am sure the car will have plenty of life left when I turn in my driver's license.
You can expect at least another 100,000 trouble-free miles out of this car. My family owned a 1979 240D that we bought with, if memory serves me correctly, 105,000 miles on it. We drove it for 6 years after that with no problems. Great car, but if we own another one one day, it will be a 300D Turbo like yours for the extra power.
I know of Cab drivers (called taxi drivers over here in Germany) who put seriously more than 1.500.000 kilometers on their 200 D Mercedes W123 and sold them second-hand even after that...
With adequate care and maintenance these cars should last a normal drivers life. If someone fells bothered about costs for OEM-parts and repair on a car that already did some 100.000 miles, keep in mind that it is the quality of these parts and a good mechanic that keeps these cars reliable virtually forever. It is not much if you calculate the expenses for a quality service and the necessary repairs over the years, even less if you get them into relation to the miles. Maybe having it serviced and getting OEM-Parts for repairs is somewhat more expensive on the short, but this keeps the car really cheap to use on the long term.
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