Faults:

-Transmission conductor plate, electrical connector o-ring, filter & fluid. This was performed as preventative maintenance. The 722.6 transmission was designed to be sealed for life, but it did not turn out that way. Fluid was trashed at 95k miles.

- Front lower control arm bushings.

- Steering damper.

- Valve cover gaskets, breather hoses.

- Oil level sensor leak (requires dropping lower sump to replace).

- MAF sensor.

- Throttle sensor.

- Crank position sensor.

- Blower motor resistor.

- Trunk light switch.

- Motor mounts.

- Front seat is not aging well. I have black seats with gray inlays.

- All new front suspension & steering components, lowered with Bilstein/H&R springs.

- Complete tune-up (still had original plugs).

- New air filters.

- New serpentine belt, pulleys and tensioner.

- Refinished cloudy headlight lenses. Easy and cheap with 3M restoration kit from auto parts store.

General Comments:

I know it looks like a lot has gone wrong with the car, but I bought it relatively cheap from someone who neglected maintenance, yet kept it garaged. I am also a seasoned mechanic and car enthusiast, so I did not mind fixing the car.

Back seat is useless, but I don't mind since I'm the only one that rides in the car.

Although there's a switch for the ESP (traction control), it does not completely disable it. This car (in my eyes anyway) was a Mercedes hotrod. This car lights up the rear tires with ease, but not for long before the ESP kicks in.

The one thing I enjoy about this car is that it's pretty quick for what it is, has outstanding brakes and handles well for being 20 years old. It won't keep up with an M113K or 6.3 AMG, but for $4K it has served me well. It also pulls great from 70-120 mph.

Faults:

Brake lamp switch went out. Wouldn't be a big deal really, as the part is only $45, but when this part fails, it shuts off all your brake lights, your ABS, ESP, BAS, and your cruise control. Talk about unbelievably stupid... it boggles the mind! But after 4-hours in the shop and $350 worth of parts and labor, this thing runs and drives like a brand new car.

This is now my 13th Mercedes-Benz, but my very first C-class chassis vehicle. I've almost exclusively driven S-class models with only a few exceptions: a couple of W123 turbo diesels and two W124 E-class sedans; one E320 and one E420.

General Comments:

Feels just like an E430 from behind the wheel, but has a sport-minded cabin with a tighter fit.

Faults:

The only problem I have had with the car is the throttle sensor went bad. When the sensor goes bad, the gas pedal refuses to respond. Once that happens, the car will not accelerate. If the sensor is going out, the throttle response will be low.

General Comments:

As an AMG, the car is a torque monster.

Very stylish exterior, yet discrete.

The interior is that of an old Mercedes; a bit outdated, but nonetheless, looks great.

Having the extra 3 grand seat option, the car looks good with it, as does it feel comfortable.

Handling is exceptional, though with a V8 upfront, it is nose heavy.

Brakes are fantastic. Over constant hard braking, the wear is very limited.

Faults:

Drive coupling replaced at 72000kms.

Engine water pump replaced at 78000kms.

Engine belts replaced.

Brake vacuum line cracked/replaced at 83000kms.

Strut on soft top panel cover replaced at 84000kms.

Head light lenses faded.

General Comments:

Handles and drives well, but nowhere near as good as my XJ8 Jaguar.

This model is a piece of crap, and is falling apart at this low mileage.

Had a 1983 W123 Merc, and it was superbly reliable, and had done 225000kms.