Faults:

Too many items to mention, but here is a partial list:

3 catalytic converters replaced.

Electric windows repaired twice since they would not roll back up (in the winter)

Lower seat molding base replaced twice.

Continuous problems with fuel sensors causing idiot light to engage over 15 times.

Defective radio drained my battery and had to be replaced.

Had to replace brakes three times in 70,000 miles.

Very poor quality, soft Dunlop tires had to be replaced in 20,000 miles.

Gas mileage well below stated levels.

Replaced defective armrest twice due to vinyl separation.

Oil changes can only be done at the dealer for a cost of over $90.00.

General Comments:

This was my first and last Mercedes product. I visited my local dealer over 25 times during my 4-year lease with the problems stated above. The dealer service was excellent, but the product was beyond poor.

When running well, this is a nice vehicle with an excellent engine, however it rarely ran well.

Faults:

The car was in the shop at least 12 times (that's every three month), mostly for multiple recurrences of the the same problem.

Heater/AC failed, GPS failed every 3 month, Audio system failed, interior trim fell off 6-7 times, windows refused to close etc etc.

We heard rumors that the Quality Manager at MB is the guy that played the banjo in "Deliverance".

General Comments:

Worst car I ever bought.

Faults:

Emission valve failed after 180km.

Bad ground caused all kinds of electrical problems. It took dealer 3 weeks and 4 attempts to solve the problem.

Air conditioning worked only 6 weeks out of three years. A/C compressor had to be exchanged twice and the car was in repair for 5 weeks.

Heating for Canada certainly not sufficient.

Brake pads required change after 29000km and is considered normal by MB.

Catalytic converter cracked at 40,000km.

Door Handle on drivers door not operational.

Sunroof rattles and wind deflector was pushed down by speeds over 60km/h.

Cheapest paint job I have ever seen on a new car. Paint chips even on passenger door and tail gate.

General Comments:

The poor attitude of the dealer and Mercedes Benz Canada is reason enough not to buy any Daimler-Chrysler products ever - and I was very satisfied with the seven models I owned previously.

Faults:

The catalytic converter has been a problem from the start. It is full of sensors and if a sensor malfunctions there is usually an immediate loss of power - so much so that we were forced, on numerous occasions, to pull over to the side of the road and turn off the vehicle... and this on major highways, including the 401 in Toronto! The check engine light will brighten up the dash board every time a sensor detects something. The vehicle would be difficult to accelerate. In August of 2000 our dealer finally replaced one half of the converter at no cost. In August of 2001, the other half malfunctioned and was replaced at tremendous cost to us. Just recently the converter portion that was replaced in August 2000 malfunctioned again, but this time the repair was at our cost since Mercedes only guarantees the part for one year.

The most intriguing problem we encountered was having to replace the struts at 110,000 km - the vehicle has never been driven off-road and has literally only seen highways. Our vehicle has high mileage, but it has been all on the highway - my wife commutes to Ottawa everyday (240 km return).

Many electronic gadgets have had to be replaced, including headlights six times, right window button, rear defogger, fuel gage, gas cap.

The unfortunate thing in all of this saga is that Mercedes does not stand behind its vehicle.