The tiptronic works quite nicely when I want to do something else other than driving!
The transmission is quite responsive though, and it downshifts nicely for passing without using the tiptronic feature.
You're right Jim - 150k is not high mileage for a Mercedes. LOTS of 300k + models out there.
I'm not sure what year the kompressor engines started being put into the C-class, but I know it was recent (within the last 5-7 years). These cars, on average, have between 75k - 105k on them. It will be interesting to see how these engines hold up as the miles go on.
I wish I knew what an actual cost would be to R/R a kompressor unit. Haven't found a forum member that this has happend to yet! I posted about this a long time ago, and a forum member referred me to this web site:
http://www.canadiansupercharger.com/mercedes_supercharger.html
This company has superchargers available for $490.00 plus $200.00 core. Now, I don't know what it would cost to install one ... if it's like a W124 evaperator job, then YIKES!
I wouldn't think it would be all that bad ... maybe like doing a water pump or something to the equivalent.
Jim - you're absolutely right in stating that a kompressor engine with mostly highway miles would be much more stable than one that's done mainly city-driven miles. It engages and is used much more in the city than on the highway.
From what I understand, it's the TURBO supercharged engines that you have to be careful of because once the engine is switched off, the turbo will spin for awhile, causing much more wear and tear than a plain kompressor engine. The kompressor units are not all that robust, and would seem fairly easy to rebuild.
The M111 is a 4-banger, but with a lot of pep, and incredibly good fuel mileage. A recent trip to Kentucky brought me almost 34MPG! A real pleasure when gas prices are what they are these days.
-Michael