I've been driving a '94 S500 Cpe for 8+years and it's been the most reliable and least expensive car to maintain of all the MBs that I've had! The wiring harness is as good as new and the A/C is still running fine. Original evap!

So with that statement as a backdrop, then I'd suggest an early model b/c they seem to be very trouble free! Yes, I know that many will say the later models are better since the many electronic modules have been repplaced and combined. . so that automatically means a more reliable car.

Howver in my experience and that of my tech (Pat @ Exclusive Motors), it's a car that hasn't come repeatedly through his shop.

If you are 'handy' (as you said), then you can fix the problems yourself.

__________________
Regards . . . . JimF
-------------------
'94 S500 Cpe

Visit my Mercedes Web Page