Faults:

The body is in excellent condition for the year. This car cleans up very nicely, and the vinyl seats are great. Muddy dog prints come out with a quick wipe-down.

My Brother had this car before me. He replaced the rotors (twice, the first set were faulty), did the timing chain and adjusted the valves.

Vacuum activated door lock rubber have a tendency to crack and fail, replaced both rears.

Drivers' side window goes off track if shut firmly with window roll.

Valves adjusted at 290,000.

Drivers' seat torn down center.

Replaced Starter and alternator within the last year.

The control arms and ball joints need replacing on both sides.

The air conditioning needs repair and has not worked since I have owned the car.

Sunroof stopped working 1 year ago.

The suspension is now starting to show a little extra body roll.

Driveaxles or differential starting to 'knock' on corners - not sure which.

Need to replace the fuel filters as fuel delivery is clearly impaired.

Overall, a really lovely car, extremely functional, spacious and good reliability for the mileage, as I have taken it on several long road trips with fairly little grief.

General Comments:

This car is great, but I have hit the juncture where I either need to start paying it some serious attention or let her go to a person who has more time to care for it.

4 Wheel independant suspension on a car this big makes for a very surefooted ride.

Faults:

The ball joints needed to be replaced when I first bought this car, needed an alignment, and now the steering belt needs tightening.

General Comments:

This car is a very classy, impressive car. Although my 300D is as slow as a lawnmower, it gets unbelievable gas mileage and is more reliable than any of my previous cars.

Faults:

I bought the car with the transmission out.

Took it to a MB shop, was quoted $1700 to rebuild it. They replaced it with a factory unit for $2400. Needless to say I was angry. Replaced the plastic fuel filter with a Racor fuel-water separator (highly recommended).

Use Mobil 15-50 synthetic oil exclusively. Engine leaks like a sieve, but the level hardly goes down (1 qt./month) so I live with it.

General Comments:

Very comfortable car compared to the Sebring Convertible I just got rid of, but not as comfortable as my 325I Convertible.

Also the handling is no-where near as good as the Bimmer, but rides better and stops on a dime. Kind of ugly, but it is so dependable that I can't bear to part with it. 30MPG on the road, as long as kept below 70 MPH, otherwise 25.

Wish the seats have more support; my wife doesn't think the car is very comfortable..

Faults:

The turbocharger went out 6 months ago.

Air conditioning system is out.

The radio has bad random reception.

General Comments:

Even with the turbocharger out this car is the torquo-matic.

What the hell else has a better torque to weight ratio than this tank, a Porsche?

Just give this thing some diesel around turns and man it grips. It's great for safely driving like a maniac on back roads. The beauty is that stepping on the pedal asks for torque not horse, I can take a perfect 90 degree right at 40 mph and hardly even skid! Insane driving without all the pig attracting squealing.

Faults:

Bad paint (now restored via good quality wax)

Stereo - now replaced with new Sony.

Brakes (various work done) - master cylinder, pads, calipers.

Tie rods for steering.

Fuel system clogged with algae at 175,000 miles (rebuilt since)

Original starter died at 161,247, replaced.

Total exhaust system replacement with OEM parts between December 1999 and September 2000 (done in stages)

Valve adjustment done @ apx. 80,000 miles.

General Comments:

Very reliable car!

Not built for speed, but is very safe, dependable, and stylish.

Interior is tough and hard to damage. Looks near new for a 19 year old car.

Very easy on the fuel. Still gets apx. 30 mpg.

I recommend these cars to anyone.

Faults:

Upper control arms.

Faulty door locks (3 times).

Air conditioning leak.

Brake-strut support.

General Comments:

This car is not for people who must have lots of acceleration, but is a commuter's dream. It still gets over 30 miles per gallon after almost 1/3 a million miles.

The ride is excellent, and it doesn't require very much maintenance. Parts are relatively cheap, and repair materials are easy to find.