Faults:

The electronic roof stopped half way down on one occasion, fortunately at my house - my friend who works for mercedes came round later and reset the roof in the closed position, and it has worked fine since!

Apart from this the car has been bomb-proof!

General Comments:

This car looks fantasitc - mine is in green black metallic with 19 inch AMG alloys, however, it is no drivers car, the lack of a solid roof compromises the cars handling quite heavily and it becomes quickly unsettled over difficult roads, while the steering is remote. Mine was one if the very last to be fitted with a five speed manual 'box - this being replaced with a much improved 6 speeder in 2001, the 5 speed is a stong, but horribly mushy creation.

In terms of performance, the car is brisk rather than fast - it will shame normal cars, but I'm wary of getting involved in motorway slip road dashes with other top end material - but then again the 230 is frugal if you keep it away from the rev. limiter (if you don't, watch the fuel gauge drop..)

The brakes are great, but the hand-brake works much better with an auto-box, the ESP system is restrained, but floor the throttle in 1st and you will provoke it, and also in 2nd in the wet.

All this aside, i'll forgive it the above because with the roof down and wind deflector up (no room in the back!) this car is a great place to be!

If your going to buy one, and now is great time as its residuals are shaken with more and more of the new model coming onto the market, make sure it's a dark colour with decent wheels, a black roof, cream leather, and probably an auto box... (or the 6 speeder)

Faults:

One of the most reliable cars we've ever owned - up until 2 weeks ago.

On delivery, driver's door very slightly out of alignment.

Also, driver's door window wouldn't automatically reseal itself when you closed the door. A fixed was arranged at 1st inspection.

Engine management warning light came on around 20,000 miles. No fault detected by the dealer. A sensor was replaced under warranty. Same again at 65,000 miles. A sensor was replaced again this time the cost was around £50 including fitting.

Engine management light came on again at 85,000 miles while we were in France. Bring in it when you get back, the dealer advised. Diagnosed as a loose vacuum hose, fault light cleared while I waited. No charge. Following day and every day after ESP warning light illuminated. The fault takes up to 20 minutes to clear and car cannot be driven any distance while fault is showing. Still not corrected after 4 visits to dealer including overnight and 4 day stays. Currently diagnosed as a faulty control unit (£450 plus fitting, etc. quoted). Dealer says they've never seen this before. We await the result.

General Comments:

Excellent car - up until 85,000 miles. My wife's car from new.

The car looks good (better proportioned than the current model) and the design has lasted well and has plenty of presence without shouting at you.

Handling wise, it's no sports car in the Elegance trim, but it's very quick with stacks of torque at low revs to shove you out of bends.

The car is very comfortable both front and back. It's our favourite touring car for long journeys and the children who are just entering their teens never complain about comfort in the back. Tyre noise on certain poor surfaces is our only gripe.

It very economical, for example 4 up with the boot loaded with luggage and wine the car average 35+ mpg on an 800 mile dash across France. The car will routinely return 32 mpg in normal use.

My wife gets around 16,000 miles between services (inspections) and apart from the faults above and tyres we've spent on nothing unexpected apart from routine services. One of the cheapest cars of the 40 we've owned!

Dealer service is a bit indifferent compared to her previous BMW. It got better after we changed dealers, but still not up to standard you would expect.

Faults:

Electric Windows do not self close properly, keep opening at the end - Repaired 6 times.

ECU problem twice resulting in misfiring, Car has been away for over a week still not repaired.

Brake Squeal - In seven times, changed all the parts and still no luck, went in recently and was told modified discs were needed.

General Comments:

I have owned MB's before and never had a problem. This car has been awful.

I would not by a 4 cylinder MB again.

Quality is not good on newer MBs.

Poor dealer service. Took over a month to book in for a service, by the time had exceeded the service interval.

Faults:

Self return on Electric Windows doesn't work properly.

General Comments:

It is undoubtedly the most solid yet comfortable car I have owned. Noise levels are low and despite being a stylish coupe there is plenty of room for two Adults in the back.

Will get an automatic next time around. Reverse is a little tricky.