Hello friends -

A very happy New Year to everyone. I hope that 2005 will be a great year for everyone here at the forum.

Am looking eventually to trade in my car for a C-class. After doing some research here on the forum, I have generally read excellent posts on the C230, which is what I'm looking into. I'd like to look for a '97-'99 model, but am unsure as to specific issues with each model year. Here are a few questions I'd like to ask:

1. What kind of fuel mileage can I expect from the M111? I've seen posts anywhere from 29-36mpg. Are those pretty realistic figures?

2. People have warned me about problems with the 722.6 style 5-speed transmission. Was this problem corrected in later model years, and exactly what model years is the transmission a problem?

3. How about back seat room? I'm 6'4" and I sat in the back of someone's C230. My head didn't touch the top, which surprised the heck out of me. Front room was a bit tight because the seat was back. How do others feel about the back seat space?

4. Any other items that might highlight one model year over the other?

I'm looking for a smaller car that gets great gas mileage, but that isn't a piece of plastic, either. There are many compact sedans out there, but when it comes to accidents, they shrivel up! I hit a deer with my '93 190e, and that car saved my life.

Thanks for the help friends, and I'll look forward to hearing from everyone.

Take care!
Michael.