Hi:

I would avoid the early 2000's Mercedes. Mercedes went through several years of unusually high reliability problems due to their efforts to reduce costs. I had a C320 that was the worst car that I ever owned. Developed suspension and transmission problems, and the car was supposedly certified. I would hate to think of the costs of fixing these problems out of pocket. I believe that the S series from these years had suspension and electrical problems as well as potentially rust issues. My 2006 CLK has had none of these problems.

__________________
Brian
'94 E420 - 99K
'12 C300 4 Matic

Previously owned:
'06 CLK 500K Cabriolet
'85 300SD (Old Smokey)
2002 Boxster
2002 C320 (The five-pointed star Mercedes)
1993 300E 3.2 (Dealership's cash cow)
1979 300SD (Chrome beauty)
1983 300D (Old faithful)
1983 240D (Right lane cruiser)
1977 240D (Miracle of bondo)