LS vs Merc C320

[thatfatbloke]

Well,I bought SWMBO a 2005 Merc C320 cdi estate about a month ago. It's OK,it's obviously a more modern design than the LS,but with what I call 'modern annoyances'. I had to reset the clock on it last night and it took a good 20 minutes to work out how to do it. In the four weeks or so that we've had it,it's had to go back for gearbox work after a week (on warranty thankfully) and yesterday she had to call the AA out because the fuel filler flap wouldn't open. I suppose what sums it up is,though the Merc is a 'nice' car, the LS is a wonderful car. We've had older Mercs for years, 3 190's,2 300TE's,a 230TE,a 300SE and a W210 320 V6 which we used as part-ex on the current car. She is infatuated with them,but guess which car she has used today (and many other days) to go to work in. That's right,my LS. She nicked the keys when I was in the bog,and she was gone!. It is our anniversary today so I suppose I'll have to let her off.

[steve2006]

A friend of mine had a 1998 Mercedes 300 diesel from new and in that time it had replacement wings fitted due to rusting, complete suspension replacement and various other problems.

When I called in a few months ago the car was no more, apparently the suspension mounts had all rusted away and the car was scrapped.

[Titch LS]

I know of two older C-class Mercs both of which gave trouble with their autoboxes, (plus other expensive things). Lovely build quality, but no long-term reliability.