Faults:

Nothing serious, the usual consumption parts, glow plugs, cam-belt, injector fuel pipes.

General Comments:

Although the car is 17 years old, it still drives like new. Having clocked 218,000 miles, the engine still has a lot of oomph... drove to the Lake District and the car's engine power could be felt on gradients where other cars struggled... the turbo diesel 3000 cc is a very powerful engine, and when it came out it was the quickest diesel.

These cars are easily capable of doing over 500,000 miles without major issues with the engine, provided the body does not rust away. I love mine, as I have maintained it with a specialist.

Faults:

Required a new BAS controller from Mercedes. This fault was fixed by the dealer when I bought it.

General Comments:

I needed a car capable of good economy and with a reasonable amount of performance. I am used to driving a 2 litre 190.

This car is a tidal wave on wheels. Very economical - 30MPG round town and 37MPG on motorway. Great poise and presence. Well balanced for such a big car although, this is no GTI in handling terms.

It runs silently and smoothly as if you were driving on ice, even on the roughest of roads.

Luxuriously appointed, it gives you a feeling of first class relaxed travelling.

If you put your foot down, the car instantly responds with a discernible roar followed by a heart fluttering push in the back which just goes on and on. From 60 MPH onwards is completely awesome.

Highly recommended and totally memorable piece of kit.

Faults:

Air Mass meter.

Brake servo poor on start-up.

Gearbox (no reverse after braking to stop)

Suspension.

Water ingress in fog lights.

Poor paint finish.

Aircon sensor.

General Comments:

A very poor Mercedes. When I sold it the car needed over £2000 worth of work. I lost over £6000 in 12 months. Never again Mercedes.

Faults:

Rear electric window fault, loose gear knob, beyond that it is perfect.

General Comments:

This is a good vehicle for general touring and getting from A to B in a comfortable manner. At 1.7 tons this vehicle is a dog at speed.

Due to the weight, the chassis seriously struggles to cope when pushed. The brakes do not instil confidence either. I have found that the ABS lacks 'bite' and that the brakes are prone to extreme fading at speed.

This is my first auto box, so I can't really comment as to how good or poor it is. my only gripe is that there is no real acceleration in the 0-30mph range which can be dangerous when pulling out of junctions or when trying to get out of trouble. Conversely 30-120mph is quite rapid.

Beyond these gripes, this car is not a sportscar it is a comfy sedan that is meant to waft you from A to B in comfort. This it does admirably.