| Model year | 1972 |
| Year of manufacture | 1972 |
| First year of ownership | 2010 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2010 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.8 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 10 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
8.3 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 250000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 260000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Mercedes-Benz S-Class |
Summary:
Brilliant, classic, love it, own one yourself. It's now part of me!
Faults:
Nothing.
General Comments:
What a car; simple but brilliant. Leaves my W126 for dead. A classic of classics. Easy to drive, and even easier to love.
My next car will be a W114, and the one after that, and the next one and the next one...
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 7th September, 2010
| Model year | 1974 |
| Year of manufacture | 1974 |
| First year of ownership | 1993 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.7 twin cam EFI Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 10 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
8.4 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 316500 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 495000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Volkswagen Beetle |
Summary:
Loved this car. A million times better than the 190E I had the misfortune to own 5 years later
Faults:
Water pump leaked shortly after purchase. Replaced with new.
Brake master cylinder replaced.
Replaced rear springs as they were sagging a little.
Centre bearing rubber mount on tail shaft replaced.
Opto (?) signal generator to injectors replaced at well over 450,000km.
Interior fan failed... replaced with a used item. Expensive labour costs as dash had to be ripped apart.
Indicator electronic module replaced.
Upgraded to CFC-free refrigerant.
Replaced front disc rotors (at close to 490,000km)
Steering box mounting bolts had worked loose, which meant you could turn steering wheel 90 degrees and car still would go straight. Needless to say I drove home very slowly... fixed next day.
General Comments:
The only time I could say the car let me down was when it suddenly died on the freeway. The signal to the injectors had packed it in, but then the car had covered over 450,000 km.
I'd class other problems as normal wear and tear, and the car was over 20 years old when I had to replace the interior heater fan.
The car was slightly heavy on fuel but servicing was very reasonable from Benz specialist (and also from an authorised repair centre who was absolutely excellent) so overall it really was very reasonable to run.
Beautiful engine and transmission.
Loud car on the highway got a bit wearisome.
Handled reasonably well, rode well though suspension bump-thump irritating (typical Benz according to road reports). Steered well though not sharp at the straigh-ahead.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 26th August, 2008
| Model year | 1975 |
| Year of manufacture | 1974 |
| First year of ownership | 2005 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2006 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.8 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 10 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 6 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 6 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
7.6 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 268000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 283000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Audi 80 |
Summary:
A stunning yet practical classic
Faults:
Cylinder Head gasket replaced, but now runs superbly.
No other problems at all.
General Comments:
An absolutely superb example of German engineering at its finest. Well-built and comfortable, this is just a pleasure to drive, so much of a pleasure, we sold our other car, an Audi, an now use this as an everyday driver.
The ride is so smooth, you have to remind yourself you're in a thirty year old car.
It's also eye catchingly beautiful and always draws admiring looks.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th July, 2006