Mercedes Benz repair: 1990 500SL, transmission service, oil changes

Question
I am considering the purchase of a 1990 500sl with 110,000 miles on the original engine.  How long do you think it will be before the engine/transmission will require major work?

Answer
There are quite a few variables here to determine just how long a motor will last. If the motor has been maintained on a regular basis,(oil changes every 3,000 miles, transmission service once a year, etc.) and the previous owner has receipts to show the work done. The motor can last 200,000 miles. If the work has not been done then it could be worn out now. Also if the current owner has driven the car hard and abused the motor it will probably will not last. Have a good mechanic look the car over and check it out. It is always good to spend a couple of hundred doolars now then a couple of thousand later.