Faults:

Needed New Front Disc's and Pads plus one front brake hose on purchase for mot.

The rear exhaust was leaking which my mechanics simply welded up.

The drivers seat was predictably worn through in the usual place where you get in.

The engine was mis-firing.

General Comments:

I went to the local scrap yard in doom and gloom, looking for an engine for my sadly blown up sporty Mercedes 190E.

Was told that if I just wanted the engine out, they would have to charge me vat on the engine, so I took a chance and bought the whole car.

I had to learn to drive again - sluggish after driving a quick 190E. I was amazed at the practicality of this car.

Solid and reliable, I did 5,000 miles in 4 weeks on a Touring Pantomime straight after buying it, and I couldn't fault the ride quality and reliability. Air-con superb.

Faults:

Rear suspension self leveling not at right height.

Rear electric window winder switch failed.

Air conditioning leaking gas, no gets less cool through the summer.

Rear wiper motor needed unjamming.

Leaks a little oil from somewhere in the engine bay.

Eats rear tires more than I expected - maybe that is my driving!

General Comments:

The 3.0 liter 12v straight six gives nearly 190bhp and even given its weight and age, will rarely kick down to 1st. But when it does it takes all the passengers by shock!

Given its weight, handles very well.

Load capacity is huge. A 2 meter tall pine cabinet went in no problem.

7 Seater design miles better than current MP-Vs.

Built like a tank, and has very little body rust after 14 years of British weather.

Even though it does not have airbags, I pity anyone I hit in this. I have an A-Class Mercedes too and this has 4 airbags, but it is not built to the same standard as the 300TE.

Faults:

Fuel pump relay replaced at 125000.

Power sunroof failed at 128000.

Service at 117000 identified significant corrosion of the pipe work under the car.

General Comments:

At 3,000 UK pounds, this has to be one of the cheapest luxury cars available for practical use and daily driving. The car looks good, drives smoothly and all of the electrics work except the sunroof (that was a belt failure so doesn't count).

It is incredibly stable at high speed and will comfortably pull along at 125-135 mph, 0-60 is not timed, but impressive, for a 13 year old car it blows away most modern imitators. I can live with the running costs.

Faults:

New tyres.

Driver's window regulator.

General Comments:

This is an unbelievably reliable car that feels like it will last forever.

Faults:

After 170K, only thing apart from tyres and exhaust to need replacing were the engine mountings (hydraulic), and the thermostat!!

General Comments:

A magnificent car - a tad under-powered with only a 2 litre under the bonnet - but is exactly what a Mercedes is all about; reliable, comfortable, strong and so well screwed together! The other guy with the Merc 200 clearly doesn't know what he's talking about. Maybe he should buy a BMW, or some other lesser make!