Hi Joe,

Electronics will always be the biggest problem on any mid-2000s Mercedes so make sure that everything with a button is working as it should be. Don’t accept anything without a full service history too, preferably one that’s been maintained by a main dealer. Interiors are weak on build quality too with many reports of detaching trim and wonky panels inside. Make sure that the frameless windows seal properly as well – they can drop letting in wind noise and rain. They also eat tyres pretty heavily. As for performance, no four-pot Merc is ever going to perform all that well – you really need to trade up to the V6 if it’s oomph you’re looking for.