Faults:

Self leveling rear suspension failed, and subsequently it handled like a hearse.

Spheres replaced and hydraulic pump reconditioned.

This was costly to fix, but it has done wonders for the handling and ride - worth doing.

Rear window jammed as the insulation in door frame had perished. Cleaned out and running fine now.

General Comments:

The doors close with a fine clunk..

Loads of space and versatility. Fits 7 with ease, but can fold the seats down in all sorts of permutations - can take 3 adults and 3 surfboards inside, 2 adults and endless crap or treasure in the back, etc etc.

I love the attention to detail - like the toolbox and fine first aid kit. Even the fuse box is pretty cool.

Cruises all day quietly on the open road with plenty of grunt for passing trucks and things, and on roadies does 10.5l/100km (and not driving like my deceased grandfather either).

It has a great lock, so parking is fine for what is a pretty big car. Relaxing to drive around town.

One gripe with the car is that the top of the steering wheel obscures my view of the top of the speedo (80-130kph) and I have to bend down to see what speed I'm doing. What the hell were they thinking?? I guess measuring speed is irrelevant on the Autobahn.

Quite a few people have given me a hard time for driving a Mercedes, and lump me into the filthy rich capitalist pig basket, but comparing it to other cars (soul sucking people movers, Japanese wagons that tempt harikari, butt ugly vans) that cost the same, it was an easy choice.

So far it's reliable, it was well priced, and I plan to have it until the kids leave the roost.

Faults:

The head gasket had failed when I bought the car though I didn't know it.

Both engine mounts had lost fluid causing severe vibration, but this was quickly and easily remedied.

General Comments:

The automatic gearbox changes are not as smooth as I would have expected, particularly when accelerating hard.

Smoothness and general noise levels are a little disappointing.

Handling is excellent.

Performance is what one should expect from a 4 cylinder pulling a heavy car, but is very good if the revs are above say 3000.

Fuel economy is very good for a car of this size.

The cabin is wonderful and very comfortable.

The level of equipment and engineering is exceptional.