Mercedes-Benz cars are of extreme high quality (at least the W140/W126 and W124/W123 were, can't say much about the W220, W201 and W210), BUT they require high preventive maintenance.

And still, there are some Achiles hills that in my opinion plage all Mercedes-Benz, regardless of year and/or model:

1/ Tricky and temperamental (to say the least) electrical issues (including but not exclusive to power windows/seats, radios and worst of all: FUSES and RELAYS!)

2/ Water pumps and radiators (could it be because most M.B.s tend to run REALLY hot at all times?).

3/ Over complicated and over engineered extras: like the self levelling rear axle/suspensions.

4/ All vacuum assisted systems (locks, self closing doors, etc)

5/ And if you live in country where the roads are horrible: alignment and balancing issues.

My opinion is derived after more than 20 years of M.B.s ownership. Anyone is welcome to disagree with me.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]