Sorry to hear about your misfortune. Perhaps you have a lemon? Personally- the only Mercedes I would buy is a 1979-1985 300SD turbo diesel, or a 1978-1983 240D / 1978-1985 300D, or even a 84-up 190D. Also, the 1986-1991 S-class diesel/gasoline models are great cars too. The diesels seem to be the most reliable mechanically and like most foreign (Japanese and German) cars, the quality of the mid 90s to current have really went down.

I too have had several Hondas and Toyotas- several with well over 200K- still running perfectly. I currently have a 1990 Lexus LS400, with 225,500 that is still in perfect conditions.

I even have a 1998 Ford Taurus, with 245,000 miles. Not a misprint- it has two hundred and forty-five thousand miles. Engine is still in excellent condition, but as expected, the transmission is due for major service.

I also recently test drove a 1984 Mercedes 300SD with 336K that was still a good car- aside from some issues that I was unsure about, so I passed in it. It may be a good car. I guess my point is- I cannot see a 1995-newer Mercedes going over 300K like the 81-91s often do.

Your 96 C220 should have a lot less problems at 74K miles. I do not think all of the C220s have that many problems. Good luck.

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2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)