Well, despite my reservations about the quality of post W124 Mercedes, I recently traded my '02 Boxster for a CPO '06 CLK 500 cabriolet. I hope that this vehicle works out better for me than my old 2002 C320. It only has 26K on the odometer and appears to have been a GA car until recently. I did max out on the available warrranty. Unfortunately, due to the massive amounts of snow here, the vehicle has sat unused. My trusty '85 300SD has served me well during the past few storms, never failing me. Does anyone have experience with these?

Brian

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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)

From what I recall, 2000-2002 were the 'bad years'. Lots of cost cutting under new honcho, etc. Almost ruined their reputation. My wife drives an '06 C280 we got new and it's given us no problems.

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1984 300D Light Blue/Blue
2006 C280 Silver/Black

Thanks. Even though Consumer Reports has always rated this model poorly compared to its Japanese competitors (e.g, Lexus), from what I understand, 2000-02 were the dismal years for MB. My C320 certainly lived up to that reputation, which had most of its suspension and its transmission replaced before 40K. Its seats squeaked incessantly and its paintwork was junk--it would chip and scratch too easily. My first impression is that this one is much better screwed together. I also read that MB tried to toughen its water based paint around 2005 by adding ceramic to it. I have also driven 2006 and 2007 C280's and they felt miles ahead in quality compared to the earlier C class. My only concern is that 2006 was the first year for the 7 speed transmission.

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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)

Very true, I'm pretty sure Schrempp was still busy destroying the company in 2001-2002. My friend's parents have an 01 C320 (family car) and it has about 95, 100k on it. BOTH fuel pumps, one for each bank of cylinders failed, and after replacing those, the CEL came on, and is on to this day, and none of us have a clue why.

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1982 240D 4spd, 327,000mi

Hey Brian, how was the 02 Boxster treating you as far as reliability?

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1982 240D 4spd, 327,000mi

I thought I read "Schemp" at first. And thought no wonder they were having problems!

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Brad
1981 300TD - daily driver
1963 Chevy II
2001 F-250 7.3 Power Stroke