Faults:

A/C compressor, water pump, fuel pump, ball joints, various sensors for the engine control, one alternator, power mirrors, key fobs. Plus the usual maintenance items such as belts, hoses, spark plugs, brake pads, and engine mounts.

Parts are expensive, as is the service, and most recently replacement key fobs are $190 each.

General Comments:

Driving the Benz around the city, it averages 23 MPG. On the highway, depending on the load, it will average 33 miles per gallon.

The car is reliable in that it has never left us stranded, and we don't think twice about taking it on long trips. It doesn't use any oil, and there are no problems with fluid leaks, but it has some noises that are beginning to creep in with age.

The handling is superb, solid, and it's a favorite when dealing with tight city traffic.

I would like add that we have a 1999 Lexus RX300 with 263,000 miles on it, and in my opinion it's a toss up on which auto is the better. Both are excellent. However, both cars will be traded off this year, and yet I still haven't made up my mind what brand to replace them with.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

I was not thinking to buy it in January 2011, and had been wanting a Renault Laguna 2 litre wagon, but after a day driving a couple of VW Golf wagons, a Renault Scenic manual and a Laguna 2.0 Auto, I drove the Merc C200 wagon and decided to buy it on the spot. I was so impressed with the general feel and quality of the car, that it paled all the others straight away, although I didn't like the black interior that much.

I gradually got to appreciate the common-sense design of it over the next few months, and after a few bits and pieces to sort out the previous owner's hangovers, like missing the rubber inserts on the rear suspension (suspect the previous owner had lowered it), raising it back to factory spec and getting the necessary second electronic key, all was well.

Great ride, quality and economy. Best of all, the steering was spot on. Best steering I have ever had in a car, as well as the best aircon that I have had as well. The only thing was not a lot of legroom in the back and the stereo speakers are bad - but that's easy to change.

Faults:

After 3 months, I noticed gearbox oil on my drive; turned out to be a leaking electrical connector in the auto box. Easy fix, €18 part from a Merc dealer.

Next, the car started shifting roughly between 2nd 3rd and 4th gear. Turned out to be a MAF sensor; another cheap fix, €57 from local motor store.

Rear window stopped working recently, but doesn't bother me, so I never fixed it.

General Comments:

Overall the car has been very reliable, with just a few cheap fix problems.

After 115000 miles, the interior still shows no signs of wear, and could pass as a much younger car.

Still drives very well, and will cruise at 120kph for hours on end.

I do my own servicing, so I've had no contact with dealers, and will keep driving it until it gives up, or something very expensive goes wrong.