Faults:

Exhaust system failed @ 60K.

General Comments:

This was a limited AMG edition for 3 years in this body style. For its weight it is extremely powerful linked with the 500 SL 5-speed automatic. AMG enhanced everything, but there are 2 shortcomings: harsher ride due to stiffer suspension, and less-than generous rear seating. Otherwise mine has all the bells and whistles and operates flawlessly. It was obviously well cared for, and I intend to do so too. With its limited production, it could become something of a collector car (hope hope hope).

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

The MB C220 cdi is heavily based upon the 190 Series, which it replaced, and retains most of the best characteristics of that long lineage. As such, it has inherited many great attributes like comfort, roadholding, good brakes, reliability, reasonable spares prices, strong engines, excellent automatics etc. Add to these the advantages of modern electronics, a powerful and frugal common rail diesel, simple and efficient climate control, cruise control, ABS, traction control and the undoubted satisfaction of riding behind "the 3 pointed star" and you have a fine recipe for customer satisfaction.

There are only 2 downers. One is the paintwork around the doors, which is a well known manufacturer's problem and can be fixed under the bodywork warranty. The other is the often (but not always) poor and overpriced service provided by the main dealers (or stealers, as they are known to MB owners). The answer to this problem is to find a well recommended local independent MB specialist. There are plenty of them and you will find servicing your Benz can be cheaper than servicing of many other "lesser" vehicles.

Don't miss out, take advice from an experienced mechanic or owner, get a survey and make sure of the service history. Your Merc could be the most economical used car you will ever buy!

Faults:

1. Noises from gear selector housing: lots of squeaks going over bumps

2. Groaning from rear and front of car when going over humps or getting in/out of car

3. Three light-bulbs blew in one week (but not an expensive problem)

General Comments:

Good points:

This car is:

Quick

Powerful (185 hp) yet economical (I get 29mpg)

Comfortable

Elegant (I like it better than the new C class)

Solid.

Bad points:

Far too many noises, squeaks, rattles groans. The quality of materials is not as MB was used to in its heyday.

Servicing is expensive ($800 for a major service + extras so think of $1000+ every time unless you;'re under warranty)

A little noisy when accelerating, and sometimes the supercharger takes a second or two to deliver the power.

A little noisy inside, compared to Lexus, BMW and other peers.

Faults:

Glow plugs replaced (x2)

General Comments:

The car is very comfortable and a pleasure to drive. Although the engine is relatively small, the high torque means that it can be made to press on very well if the circumstances call for it.

Although it is coming up to 6 years old, it still feels like a new car and looks like a new car, apart from the inevitable few stone chips.

There is no noticeable driving or noise deficit compared with the saloon version, and the estate facility gets used very regularly.

The quality of the car is excellent and the reliability has been as one would expect of Mercedes - at least up to this model!

The only downside is that if the front passengers are tall, then the rear seat space is rather limited.