Faults:

Ignition barrel seized one week after I bought the car.

Had to fit new brake discs and pads at the first service as instructed by the main dealer.

New drivers door electric window assembly.

Had to replace the stereo head unit. It was only six months old, but fitted by previous owner.

General Comments:

All in all I am delighted with the car.

I think I just had a bit of bad luck with the few things that have gone wrong with the car.

All the problems were quick to fix and the car drives like a dream.

It performs well, especially when your foot is planted into the carpet.

The only niggle is the lack of space in the rear seats.

Faults:

When I bought the car the air-con only blew hot. Cost £170 for a new heater valve (Unlike the US, Mercedes don't sell a repair kit for UK models). The car has an uneven idle which may be caused by a wiring fault. The electric front headrests weren't working.

General Comments:

The coupe's are terrific looking and there are very few around due to the high price when new (£45,000!). However, the back seats are a little tight and there is a slight wind noise from the pillarless windows. These are problems you can overlook if you like the coupe shape.

Harder to live with, though, is the reliability of these later models. Between 1993 & 95 Mercedes used wire with insulation that disintegrates when heated. This means you have to replace the whole wiring loom under the bonnet. Ouch!

The auto box has a slight slip between 2nd and 3rd which I'll have to keep an eye on.

The 320 (and 280) engines have variable camshafts which means you get a surge of power after 4,000 rpm. I prefer the more progressive power delivery of the older engines.

The seats feel less comfortable than earlier cars and are covered with leather rather than MB-Tex. The leather is more luxurious, but doesn't last as well.

Parts are also a problem post 1993 as many parts differ slightly from earlier models and are only available though MB dealers. Earlier W124 parts are cheap and easy to get.

On the plus side the E320 Coupe is a rare and gorgeous car. Less wide-boy-drug-dealer than a BMW M3. Altogether more sophisticated. I love the electric seats and the seat belts that come to you when you close the doors.

My advice to anyone looking to buy a W124 Coupe though is buy a 300E-24 non-cat between 1990 & 1993. The engine is more powerful and you'll avoid the wiring loom problems. They're also a LOT cheaper. NEVER buy a Merc without a full service history.

Faults:

New water pump in 2001, after I reported a slight appetite for coolant to the garage. Coolant consumption unchanged - were they just making work for themselves?

Squeaky ball joint two years ago. £13 plus an hour's labour.

Filler flap refused to unlock. Cost: a couple of squirts of WD-40.

General Comments:

I bought this car for high-mileage business use, even though it was already nearly six years old. I've now covered 84000 miles (bringing the total up to 175000) with exemplary reliability.

Performance is still first class and the engine uses no oil. However, you do need to rev it - it lacks the low-down punch of my old V6 Alfa.

It's a very fine long-distance car, with good ride, virtually no wind noise (or any other noise) and comfortable seats once you have found the optimal position.

A couple of rust spots have appeared on the boot lid. Otherwise the car is unmarked. It's even surprisingly clean under the bonnet.

Handling is completely up to the job, but the steering could do with more feel.

Faults:

Absolutely nothing... ever... Oh, but I have to put petrol in the tank now and again...

General Comments:

It's a comfortable, reliable express... not pretty unless you value function over form.

The performance is about what you'd expect, but the car really benefits from tuning. However don't expect it to be -too- cheap to run...

Faults:

Just the usual tyres, brake pads etc.

Very solidly built.

General Comments:

Great car - very good on long journeys and has acres of space. Extra row of seats useful for kids.

Faults:

Dead battery after 2 weeks (car was 2nd hand).

Alarm (Mercedes fitted) sometimes won't unlock. (Have to disable the battery to embarrassing looks from passers-by)

Air-Con has a mind of it's own and blows hot and cold.

Drivers electric window slipped out of it's track.

General Comments:

I'm a sucker for punishment, after 4 Mercs, all but one (a TE estate) had only very average reliability.

Still, the 320 coupe is still my favourite.