Trick to Tell Real Miles?

[mb4]

On classic Mercedes the mileage doesn't go past 99,999.

Is there a trick to tell if the Benz has rolled over or not?

[mbbuff]

You can almost bet that it's been around at least once on all the vintage MB's, unless you've owned it forever or can verify miles from the previous owner. Otherwise look and normal wear and tear items (pedals, seats, floor coverings, etc.) and ask yourself if the amount of wear corresponds approximately to the mileage. Also, bear in mind that most of these things don't wear as much as American counterparts. MB used good quality stuff designed to last a long time. I have two vintage Benz's, a 67 and a 73. I know the mileage is correct on both and they're both approaching their third time around. The 67 was bought new by my Dad, and I've had the 73 for almost 25 years and bought it from the original owner. You can see pix of them both in the registry under "C" class, and "S" class.

[jay-h]

Agreed. Assume high miles, but don't let that discourage you (unless you are paying a premium for an allegedly low mileage car).

One good thing about older, high milleage cars is that it's a lot harder to hide a problem. There will be noises, vibrations, thunks. If it sounds right, and feels right, and you're not paying a low mileage price, go for it.

[marko]

I've found that almost everyone who sells a Mercedes that doesn't go past 99,999 will claim it hasen't rolled yet.

[Saya]

Originally Posted by marko

I've found that almost everyone who sells a Mercedes that doesn't go past 99,999 will claim it hasen't rolled yet.

Looking I have found the same thing. It's like everyone got them to 40,000 miles last September then decided to stop driving it. Nuts.

[zing]

Service records? At some point the mileage would have to be higher than what the mileage reads if it has already rolled over.

That's the only way I can think of.

[mbbuff]

I honestly believe that if it's truly a "low miler" it would be very obvious, and as said above, there would more than likely be some kind of maintenance records. That's not to say there are no low milers out there, but if there are, they would still look pretty mint. Both of mine are approaching the 200,000 mile mark, and look better than most, IMO. Seats (MBtex) are still all original with no tears, wear showing, carpets have been replaced on one and the other one is still original with MB mats front and rear. The brake pedals on both show many miles of wear in the right lower corner, but the rest of the pedal looks like new. On my 280C the factory emission sticker is still on the left side rear window (see pix). I also have many of the maintenance records, but since I do most of my own, there is a lot of stuff that I don't keep track of.