Very good car for 3k
Runner mark down drivers window.
Its reasonably fast, good motorway cruiser, gobbles up the miles no problem.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 7th August, 2005
Good, but by no means brilliant; pity about the niggles
Strange fault, yet to be rectified... it intermittently refuses to rev at more than 2,900 rpm (should go to 5,000 rpm), leading to occasional embarrassingly slow acceleration. When it does this, the auto box changes up through the gears very quickly and the kick-down won't work. Most odd, and quite scary if turning on to a fast road at the time with swift traffic coming up behind. Yesterday I was easily out-accelerated by a Ford Ka at 30 - 60 mph!
Comfortable and very economic on fuel. A fast motorway journey turns in 45 - 50 mpg.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 31st May, 2003
The 220 CDI, is from my experience, generally a reliable car and holds together well. That's probably its best attribute. Even after 250 k miles, it's still tight and rattle free.
It does require attention and upkeep like most cars do to keep it sweet.The difference is therefore good coach building.
Ease of servicing is another plus... paper filters and all work can be done without getting under the car.
Things do go wrong. I have had no air conditioning or traction control for the past 100 k miles. The lights on indicator are gone too.
I didn't bother fixing any of these, as the car can operate without them. Many of Merc's addons were junk in recent years anyway, but the basics of the cars tend to be OK.
Reliable, but boring to drive
The ABS light keeps coming on.
Central locking can be temperamental
Hot/cold starting sensor on computer can malfunction disabling the car to start.
This car is slow, handles like a bus.
But for age minor faults.
Would suit an old timer who wants to get from a to b in style.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 19th September, 2002
I say this car is one of the most reliable cars on the market, it lasts a long time and its very comfortable to drive, but also very safe, if I had to rate it out of ten it would at least get a 8.
There must be problems with this 220, because mine handles well and is hardly slow, but that of course depends on what you are comparing it with! I have covered 24000 miles in mine in the last year and apart from the usual servicing, have had no extra costs.
Steve Pritchard.
Impressed
No faults.
Big car luxury with super economy.
Fill up for around £45 and don't worry about it for another 550 miles.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 7th September, 2002
Well built spacious coupe
Nothing much. Had to replace a rear shocker for last years MOT and the rear wheel bearing has slight play in it.
The reliability is excellent. I can store it in the garage through winter, put on the battery and it starts first time. Admittedly the car only covers 1,500miles per annum, but its never even miss-fired.
Performance is acceptable even by today's standards and handling is excellent if not a tad heavy (no PAS).
Comfort is not as good as my E-class, but it's over 40 years old and all the wood and leather makes up for it.
Running costs are let down only by fuel consumption (20mpg) but classic insurance is cheap and tax is free.
Main Mercedes dealers are excellent. They can still order any part and are only too pleased help or offer advice.
I would definitely buy another Mercedes simply because of the quality and dealer service.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 9th June, 2002
UPDATE: NOVEMBER 2005,
Car still going strong. Sailed through yet another MOT and still hasn't missed a beat.
If you ever decide on owning a 111 model cabriolet or coupe, you will continually enjoy the outstanding design and almost guaranteed value appreciation. These days of computerized cars, unless you do your own maintenance, you may find it difficult to find a mechanic qualified to work on the mechanical fuel injection system. The car must be driven, otherwise it is fairly basic and will run forever. It doesn't take kindly to being a garage queen. Keep an eye out for rust.
Just bought a 1962 rhd 220 SEb cabriolet garaged for years. Brilliant car. Love that six cylinder humm and smooth change of gear. As a boy I always loved the old Merc six cylinder slipping up through the gears and the mouth-watering interior of the coupe or cab. I can't wait for it to arrive!
1st May 2004, 15:56
I have the same fault and the car has been into the garage three times with this. It is there again with. The technicians know it is the engine management system preventing the turbocharger boost from operating, but don't know why, although they think this time to have discovered it, we shall see. Apparently there are bits of the catalytic convertor coming apart in the exhaust system which then block the rear of the exhaust, causing a build up of exhaust gas which the EMS picks up and then stops the turbo from operating. The only cure is a completely new exhaust system, which wasn't on stock, so we are waiting...