Faults:

The front end is shaking, but I think it is due to warped rotors. Other than that I have had no significant problems.

General Comments:

This car is a dream. I drove 350 miles to buy it. I was amazed when I got there that everything worked including the air and the infamous seatbelt arm. I drove this car from Albequerqie, NM to El Paso, TX at speeds in excess of 80 MPH with the air running full blast. When I got back home I did a little small stuff, like light bulbs, oil, and tire rotation. Since then it has been my every day driver and has given me no problems.

Faults:

Seats were dead to begin with. Sagging rear suspension, water pump seal, glow plug relay, window switches, radio died, power seat switches kind of broke, air filter housing bracket 3x, funny electrical problems, vacuum pump, interior light dimmer switch, hood release, hood ornament, door pulls, rear a/c vent, brake fluid leak somewhere (I just keep topping off the reservoir).

General Comments:

It's like a drug addiction, it's horrible for you, but you just keep wanting more. It's a great car, but requires A LOT of maintenance. If you are considering an old m\Mercedes you need to be able to do all of the work yourself, not mind going the junkyard for parts and have a second car. Everyone refers to Benz diesels as being reliable, and they are, but only in the sense that they will go forward no matter what. The engine will last forever... everything surrounding it however is a different story. On the plus side, the car is a cruiser, dead sexy, handles well for such a large vehicle, and safe.

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

Its been a lifelong dream, to own a car made in the city where I was born.

This is one of the last true diesels, before they went to aluminum heads. Cast steel block and heads, double roller timing chain. Mechanical injection pump, that means when war breaks out, EMP pulse will not fry this cars computer. It has none.

It will burn used cooking oil, without the expensive refining that the computerized diesels need. It will even burn used motor oil.

If you need a car, look at the pre 1985 Mercedes diesels. Why Rich people get rid of them, I don't know. They are built to last a owners lifetime, and his offspring.

Faults:

Had the calipers rebuilt and the A/C rebuilt at 246000.

General Comments:

Super comfort and it handles better than all the cars I have had in the past. It's like having a real car and not a toy. You feel like there is a lot of steel around you.

I heard diesels were slow, but this one really takes off. The engine had been really taken care of. The Rav4, which I got new, was the most uncomfortable car ever.

Faults:

The lower motor incurred damage at 310 000 km.

Glow plug relay went at 274 000 km.

Engine did not start during cold weather, despite a good working block heater.

Engine smoked excessively in the morning.

General Comments:

This vehicle was supposed to last way over 300 000 km, especially since it was powered by a diesel. The poor compression, numerous vacuum leaks, etc., made it not worth the time or hassle.

Faults:

Nothing has "gone wrong". A pre-purchase inspection recommended new engine mounts, timing chain and tensioner, exhaust and a few other minor things - an extra $5,000 (Australian) to add to the purchase price of $24,000.

General Comments:

This is my first big (V8) car. It is simply magnificent, reliable, cheap to maintain and very handsome. City fuel economy is reasonable (16litre/100km) if you can avoid heavy traffic. This is a great car for a do-it-yourself mechanic because apart from regular oil and other fluid changes it needs only a careful eye to watch over it!

All accessories still work after 19 years, unlike my Alfa (or any other car?).

Is the W126 series Mercedes best ever? When the company was still driven by engineering instead of marketing!

Warning - avoid rusted and abused imports with low mileage from Hong Kong or South Africa. These cars are made to be driven every day - the engines can last forever.