Mercedes Benz should have recalled the vehicle for the transmission seals (shift connector unit), front bushings and arms, and the multiple issues with the electrical components, in particular, the lights. This is my first Mercedes (I bought it with less than 15k on the odometer, from a MB dealer who "Star-Marked" the vehicle).This may very well may be my last MB. My 01 320 now has 31,000 miles, and all the mechanical items you mentioned have also gone wrong- I purchased the factory extended warranty, so the cost was negligible. By the way, the "smart key" will begin to function intermittently when the cell battery (in the key itself) begins to run low which is more frequent than one might expect. The service tech at MB was corned by me on my last venture, and he admitted that once all the "little items" are replaced (which, in my opinion, considering the cost of a MB, should never have malfunctioned in the first place) the car will (and 'will' is the key word here, flanked by $$$ dollar signs $$$) "be the most reliable car". Mercedes informed me that their real concentration concerning their vehicles is on safety- that is their 'priority'. They are in no doubt doing exceptionally well in this area; the less the car is on the road and in the repair shop, the odds of an auto accident are greatly reduced!

Thanks, Jim.