[greglepore]

To elaborate a bit. I've had 4 Mercedes in the last 15 yrs (E320, S420, S600, SL600). All were wonderful cars in their own way. None were what the average person would consider "reliable". All were remarkably "reliable" for their age and mileage, but so is the modern Lexus, even Subaru (sorta) and Honda (forgetting the V6 tranny).

The deal is this-the basic engine is really pretty good. The ancillary's are excellent, but anything fails with enough miles. Radiators have plastic end caps, everybody's puke with enough miles. Airshocks? 100k is excellent, 1k/corner to fix. Window regulators? All the German ones break, eventually. Yada...

Its a ton of car for 3500. If you are a "car person" and have something else to drive (we've got multiple vehicles per person), its certainly better than a modern C class. But, the annual cost of operation approaches a C class lease and with that you get new car reliability and warranty. You pays your money and takes your choice.

Even as a "car guy" I wouldn't do it with a W220. It was the first post merger vehicle, and Mercedes was struggling in that era to compete with content as found in Lexus, Infinity etal. They lost their focus. They were stung by the incredible w140 predecessor, which cost a billion dollars (!) in 1990 money to develop and sold for 100k in 1990 dollars. I suspect Mercedes lost money on every one they sold in the US market. They were near perfect, but austere. An acquired taste. So, the 220 was an ok car, but not worth the giant hassle that owning an obsolete luxobarge is, unless its really special.

I put a 6k engine in my last w140, that I bought for 5k, because it was my lifetime car until a texting 16 yr old totaled it. I felt like I was bumped by a shopping cart. Bought a 600 coupe, which I'll keep until they bury me in it or someone else destroys it. But your wife? Nah. Unless she's ok with random failures and 3-5k in annual repairs. Yes, a lot of car for 3500. But they are where 944's were 8-10 years ago. Lots of undermaintained inexpensive cars. For the brave only. If your brave enough, a great bargain.