[Robert Adams]

Looking at a sick 03 C240 wagon some distance away from me. I have family in the area so I have someone who can do leg work, but thought I would ask the collective experience of this board before going to all the trouble.
Here is what I know:
Under 30k miles.
Has engine knock?
Owner will not come clean or doesn't know specifics, so upper end rebuild?
Worse case?
Do these cars have timing belts? I would think it would last more than 30k, but then the car is 6 years old, so maybe it broke from age?

Anyone have experience as to how reliable are these cars to begin with. I've heard not so good about later Mercedes, although CR rates this model as a buy.

Owner is asking under $7k, so probably need to negotiate a bit. I've seen under 45K cars in the $11 to$14 range without engine issues, but who really knows when you talk about buying a used car.

Thanks for any comments!