Faults:

Bruned and leaked more oil then I thought possible.

Electrical problems too numerous to list.

General Comments:

My father bought the car for himself, but upon realizing the extant of the problems and the extreme costs of a gray market car, he gave it to me. This was while I was in 11th grade and the car did serve as a daily driver. However it had so many electrical problems that I had to buy fuses in bulk (I'm not joking) because once a night it would blow the fuel pump fuse and simply stall out.

3 of the 4 windows stopped working, but the sunroof and reclining back seat never gave me a problem.

It burned a quart of oil a day, and upon accelerating would emit a plume of smoke so bad that it could not be seen through. I called it my James Bond car, Oil Slick and a Smoke Screen.

Faults:

Seats were ripped when bought, replaced with newer seats.

Some electronics didn't work, but switches taken apart and cleaned restored most items.

Drivers side window regulator needed replaced. Shocks replaced, steering box adjusted d/t too much play, acceptable amount of play now.

New higher amp alternator put in, old one worked fine.

Dash cracked, but can buy (and did) dash covers with The Steelers logo on it.

General Comments:

Runs great for a 21 YO car. The German engineering of the time is unsurpassed in even todays cars. You will not see a 2005 MB running well with only half it's life over in 2027.

After getting used to German thinking, the cars make much more sense than anything I have worked on in my 46 years. It all makes sense and much can be done by the backyard mechanic.

Starts easily in all weather and has decent power for a diesel. Things do go wrong, but so far nothing expensive or that I couldn't fix.

Faults:

Water pump... replaced myself $44 US.

Heater core servo switch, blows hot air when AC is on... bypassed for summer.

Seats have weak springs.

General Comments:

I like it more all the time.

Have improved the power, added K&N air filter, added boost gauge and turned up boost from 9.5 psi to 14 psi.

Quality, fit and finish are first rate.

Great highway car, very stable, smooth and comfortable on my 90 mph daily commute.

Purchased with 64,000 mile great condition, garaged southern California car.

Put 10,000 miles on it in the first 4 months.

Other upgrades planned are:

Euro headlights

Lowering the front end

Faults:

Radiator replaced at 162,000, but that was my mechanics fault.

Alternator went out and replaced at 165,000.

Notorious rocker click started at 170,000.

General Comments:

For the cars massive stature it drives like a sports car.

Lots of power, made for the Autobahn...

Gas mileage is dreadful, 14 MPG.

For an '85 it has move options that most new cars do.

Comfortable to drive for extend periods.

Cockpit layout is perfect.

Mercedes forgot about only one thing, the stereo. Better stereos are being put in Kias.

Lots of room, will accommodate a tall/big person easily.

Parts, for the most, are cheaper then expected.