Faults:

Diff went at 70,000 miles.

Water pump at 73,000 miles.

General Comments:

Take all clichés about old Mercs (excellent build quality, "clunky" doors etc) as read, they certainly apply here.

It was the best C180 (W202) I could find but unfortunately it came with a nasty, dealer fit rear spoiler which was attached to the boot lid with 3 screws (I am not kidding here). I've removed the offending article and filled in the holes as best I can, but may have to get a new boot lid.

The interior will outlive me. The seats are comfortable and supportive (more so in the back than the front, strangely) and there is plenty of room. The dash is the dash of an old Merc, which you either like or you don't. The windscreen demister is asthmatic and I find I have to wipe the thing with a cloth in winter the way my father had to with his Hillman Hunter. Americanised foot operated parking break and dash mounted light switches are just things that you have to adapt to. The lack of a folding rear seat is irritating.

The 1.8 litre engine is enough, it's not a huge car. Fiddle about with the gears enough and you'll get as much forward momentum as you need. Any kind of meaningful overtaking needs to be done in third. This you will find to be a raucous experience that tends to unsettle the car's otherwise dignified approach to things.

Handling is in keeping with the over all theme of the car. I tend to average late twenties MPG in town and mid thirties otherwise. It will happily cruise all day at 150km/h (90mph).

If you are buying one (and I recommend you do), go for the Elegance spec for the alloys, metallic paint and classier interior. Get one with automatic transmission, and if the car also has air conditioning, the gods have smiled upon you indeed.

Faults:

Nothing has ever gone wrong with my car.

From day one everybody said they are slow and an old man's car, but mine as never let me down.

The C Class 220 diesel is the best car in the world. It has passed every MOT with no problem, and it's a 1995 car.

All I ever done to it was put tyres and a couple of bulbs in it, and it still can do 125 miles per hour and 55 mpg if driven right.

General Comments:

Best car out there.

Faults:

The cylinder head gasket was blown when I bought the car. This was caused by a faulty viscous fan coupling. This cost, no joking, £1300 to fix at the only place to go, a Merc dealership.

Watch out for overheating by allowing the car to idle after a test run, and if it runs at about 120 degrees, there's something terribly wrong, so walk away!

I have to say that after the major 72000 service when I bought it, absolutely nothing, not even a bulb!

General Comments:

I have given it a high performance rating, as if you drop it into 3rd (auto box) gear at around 60mph, it accelerates so hard it's almost uncontrollable. It has bags of torque, and is great at traffic lights, as I only have to use the brake pedal.

Getting the seat adjustment wrong is back breaking, but other that that, it's very comfortable. Looks absolutely fantastic. Mine's dark blue and hasn't a scratch, love the looks, its such a brilliant shape, have no idea why they don't still make them.

Engine sounds a tad rough, but is silky smooth and is incredibly reliable. I have to admit that sometimes I thrash the car big time, but it takes it without a noise or using oil etc etc.

Overall a very reliable car, which will never age. I can't understand how other people call these models unreliable. I almost know in most cases it's because they haven't kept it serviced, which I must stress is incredibly important, and only use Merc dealerships, as a so called specialist incorrectly fitted a timing chain to my W124 200, instantly demolishing the engine. Still have the 200 though, as it's a tough as nails. Am hoping to never ever have to sell either car, seriously!