I'm being offered a beautiful 1989 300E in excellent condition (35,000 miles/70,000 Kms). I've tested the car and it rides pretty much "like a new E-Class". The engine is in mint condition, the interior is pretty much spotless for an '89... I love the car. The original owner was the father to the local Mercedes-Benz dealer's sales manager, who sold it two years ago to the local Mercedes-Benz dealer's chief mechanic; so the car's had a premium treatment.
Like I said, I love the car. I want the car. But I've been told by several people (including the owner of a much newer M-Class) to steer away from it because of the astronomical costs of owning a Mercedes, even an old one like this '89 300E. I always thought this was true of recent Mercedes', but I thought it wouldn't apply that much to an '89.
I'd much rather get "more car" buying an older Mercedes in mint condition than paying the same for a Nissan or a Kia 10 years younger, but I'd be buying "less car" so to speak. Nevertheless I don't want my wallet to suffer disproportionally every time I need to take the car to the shop. What do you recommend? Will this '89 300E truly brake my bank account? Thanks.