Faults:

The original catalytic converter is breaking apart inside, the antenna mast goes up only 1/2 way (but radio reception seems to be unaffected).

Bear in mind, though - this is a 21-year old car.

General Comments:

Sit behind the wheel, go for a drive... and you are truly "transported". I don't just mean that you get from "point A" to "point B"... this car makes you feel like you're much wealthier, much more important and much more influential and intelligent than you really are. :-)

The engine and running gear are buttery-smooth, quiet and powerful, the interior swaddles you in leather, wood and the highest quality materials available, and the ride makes you feel like you are being pampered at a spa. When you park it, you look back at it admiringly while walking away and think, "Why yes, that's my car... isn't it faaabulous"?

The car feels like it was hand-built, hand-carved and custom-tailored by old, white-bearded, bespectacled German artisans.

Faults:

Replaced rear shocks at 186,000km.

Gearbox bearing failed at 195,000km, had the whole gearbox reconditioned.

Replaced the clutch at the same time.

Replaced the bearings and regulator on the alternator at 210,000km.

Replaced over voltage protection relay at 230,000km.

Replaced all 4 disk rotors and pads at 250,000km.

General Comments:

This is another great example of a great car from the world’s best car maker.

Excellent drive train, enough power to go up hills without needing to shift down.

Great all round disc brake system with ABS.

Very comfortable ride, and it is very smooth on the pothole infested roads of South Africa.

All interior electronics still in excellent working order.

This car was fitted with dual zone climate control, and it works perfectly.

This is a very reliable car that has never let me down; even my previous W123 series made it to 300000km without letting me down even once, and I still use it.

The only sad part is getting good service on Mercedes Benz Cars in South Africa; even the so called specialists do not really know what they are doing, they are the best new part fitters in the world, replacing parts until a problem goes away.

Faults:

Automatic antenna broke down.

Front springs broken.

Tires, brakes, exhaust, interior lights, usual wear and tear.

General Comments:

Great cruiser, but crap performance in mountains with 1,3 tons and 75 diesel horsepower coming from only 4 cylinders.

Has small turning circle for such a big car.

Extremely reliable, very comfortable, does 1 liter diesel in 14 kms in winter, 1 in 16 to 17kms in summer.

Very acceptable running costs, as long as you stay away from the official dealerships.

Karo interior is cool in summer, hot in winter.

No aircon, but the sunroof makes up for this in summer.

No electric windows, turning them keeps you fit instead.

Big lump of car, and will take you anywhere, also you can have kids in the meantime and pass the Merc on to them, it will keep running for a very long time.

Beats almost anything when it comes to value for money second hand. Great time machine that just keeps going forever.