Faults:

Tie-rod end on one wheel. $150.

Spark plugs had never been changed, which caused a no start condition. $350 (LOL).

General Comments:

I wasn't very sure about this car when I got it. I was tired of the Paseo and the suspension problems, and I just wanted something else.

I wanted RWD, and I found the C220 for a cheap price. I came here, read the mixed reviews, and said, what the hell. I will go with my instincts. I guess I was right.

It took me a month to get used to driving this car. I didn't enjoy it at first. The gas pedal was stiff compared to other cars. It was so quiet at lights, I'd forget I was driving. It has pretty good pick up once you get past 25.

It just feels heavy, like a tank, but handles well considering the size. You can cruise all day without exhaustion. I get 28 MPG combined.

This car has left me impressed. Cruise control and central locking have never worked, will fix them one day. It never breaks down. All the equipment works like new. It looks new. And it's over 20 years old.

I've been keeping my eyes open for potential problems because I don't have deep pockets, and so far, I've had to replace only brakes, wheels and oil changes, and recently the A/C because the auxiliary fan had stopped running.

After this car, it's highly unlikely that I will buy any other model than Mercedes from now on.

If anyone knows how to fix the central locking and cruise control, I'd love to know.

Faults:

Since I've owned the vehicle, it's cost me an annual service and power steering pump seals at 200 000km.

General Comments:

It is lovely car to drive, pull-off is a bit slow, but from 3rd gear on it goes very well.

Performs best between 130 and 170 km/h.

Keep in mind that it is not a compressor aspirated engine, and it has heavy body to drag around; a bit of an advantage when you come into an accident.

Can't complain otherwise; if you look after it, it will look after you.

Faults:

The door locking mechanism seems to be going, but other than that, I cannot say anything else is going or has gone wrong since I just purchased it about a month ago.

General Comments:

This is the second older Mercedes I have owned... the former being a 1990 E320 TD Wagon/Kombi, which unfortunately I had to sell due to an overseas move, and I have since said I will buy no other car than a Mercedes.

I love the car as it handles great, looks wonderful and is overall a great driving experience. I am looking to upgrade it, yet keeps its original form and style... need a bit more horses under the hood though, so performance tuning here I come.

Faults:

Diff went at 70,000 miles.

Water pump at 73,000 miles.

General Comments:

Take all clichés about old Mercs (excellent build quality, "clunky" doors etc) as read, they certainly apply here.

It was the best C180 (W202) I could find but unfortunately it came with a nasty, dealer fit rear spoiler which was attached to the boot lid with 3 screws (I am not kidding here). I've removed the offending article and filled in the holes as best I can, but may have to get a new boot lid.

The interior will outlive me. The seats are comfortable and supportive (more so in the back than the front, strangely) and there is plenty of room. The dash is the dash of an old Merc, which you either like or you don't. The windscreen demister is asthmatic and I find I have to wipe the thing with a cloth in winter the way my father had to with his Hillman Hunter. Americanised foot operated parking break and dash mounted light switches are just things that you have to adapt to. The lack of a folding rear seat is irritating.

The 1.8 litre engine is enough, it's not a huge car. Fiddle about with the gears enough and you'll get as much forward momentum as you need. Any kind of meaningful overtaking needs to be done in third. This you will find to be a raucous experience that tends to unsettle the car's otherwise dignified approach to things.

Handling is in keeping with the over all theme of the car. I tend to average late twenties MPG in town and mid thirties otherwise. It will happily cruise all day at 150km/h (90mph).

If you are buying one (and I recommend you do), go for the Elegance spec for the alloys, metallic paint and classier interior. Get one with automatic transmission, and if the car also has air conditioning, the gods have smiled upon you indeed.