Two years ago, I went from a 1979 240D to a 1999 E 300 Turbo d'l. The latter has been expensive to own, as mine had all the normal flaws described on this site, save the broken spring perches. I recently dodged the bullet with the glow plugs, apparently because of a small lakeful of redline additives applied over 30,000 miles. I did not extract the Gluehkerzen myself, but my mechanic was pleased with the lack of carbon in the car. It was all sooted up when I got it in January 2005. I commute 180 miles round trip with mine, twice a week or so. It is a very nice car with too much cheapo plastic. I am fond of mine, but one has to budget for its wants. Diesel in the Bay Area is costly, too; however, the goodness of thing lies in its efficiency and I wager in its residual value, as well. I am happy I bought mine.