G'say Yosshimura in regards to the Auto's in E320's like anything that contains oil/fluid it wont matter what anyone says including MB there is nothing like regular service including fluid changes to keep all mechanicals like new. Post 96 models have a sealed gearbox it is however still possiable to renew the fluid it's not cheap but it's cheaper than an auto overhaul. The only problem I have heard of in regards to Auto's failing is that the electronic interface circuit board can fail at around 160-170000 miles. These are repairable items if you have the skills, I am an Avionic's engineer and don't mind soldering a circuit board often all they need is a clean. I had a 190E that covered over 700,000km without engine overall or gearbox problems the seceret oil changes every 10,000Km and gearbox oil every two years or 50,000km which ever comes first regardless of what a mechanic may recommend. I am now driving a 1996 C180 it has covered 220,00km and it has proved just as utterly reliable as the 190E, I stick with regular oil changes including the gearbox and just like the 190 I bet I get at least another 400,000km trouble free. Is the 190 still going I here you ask sadly not the old girl came to grief with another car it was 1985 model and would you believe the pretensioning seatbelts worked as new nearly twenty years after the car was made. I feel alot of complaints about newer Mercs are as a result of streching out servicing scheduals. Cheers Mat.